International Yoga Day - Ben from Orion Healing

In the run up to International Yoga Day we speak to Ben from Orion who will be teaching on the day...

Where do you teach and what do you teach?
This year I’ve been given the chance to teach full-time at Orion Healing Center. The current classes have been a mixture of styles. Sort of a blend between Hatha and Vinyasa. Each day changes a little depending on the focus.

The backbone of the class stays similar so the practitioner can always measure his progress through the days or weeks. Planned are more specific classes going into trigger points and such. It always depends though where I am and what kind of vibe I feel in a place.

How did you get involved with this school and how did you end up in Koh Phangan?
Orion has been a sort of refuge of mine for roughly eight or nine years now. It was always a place for me to ground myself and ready my mind and body for future ideas and projects. This time round it just seems like fate.

I left New York for Asia bound with my mat in my bag wanting to teach. No returns planned. I almost taught in Phnom Penh full time but then the offer came from Orion. I could not really say no to that one.

Actually living here full-time of course already crossed my mind when I first arrived here back in 2001. Then just a backpacker full of ideals and dreams, but crazy as life is they seem to have fully manifested now. After bouncing around the world and many long stays it did take me fourteen years to make the final move to this island.

As many of you can feel that this place does hold a that magic pull for each of us from every corner of the world.

What do you think can be achieved from International Yoga Day?
Any time where people gather to practice yoga is an achievement for humanity. No matter what form, style or lineage. The more people practice the better for all of us.

Subconsciously a shift happens whether one even feels at first or not. The practice works and has its effect.

Rather have millions breathing, flowing, feeling and connecting through the practice of yoga than millions pumping iron looking at themselves in a mirror. It feeds the mind, body and soul in totally different ways.

And what uniqueness will you personally bring to this event?
A teacher is just a channel for something much larger than himself. What can make things a little more ‘unique’ is the personal journey and life experience that add up the character of each of us. So in that way we are all very unique.

Each teacher when given to opportunity to share his personal journey through his practice is in a special position to be able to connect with students on so many levels. Touch, breath, energy and movement. That's what I love to share with all who join class.

How has yoga changed your life?
The practice of Yoga is life and it’s in all of us. One just has to step on the mat and practice. Then positive change happens constantly every day and every moment.

Yoga just made me cherish and be more aware of the only constant. Which is change.

And why do you think practicing yoga in Koh Phangan is good for people?
Koh Phangan is an island of seekers. People are open and curious to explore the island and especially themselves.

Yoga is the logical philosophy that comes with this. With its many facets and paths it offers something for each kind of thrill seeker. For the introvert as much as for the extrovert. The two often switching roles in the process.

Why should people join you for International Yoga Day?
Ha! No answer to that one really. Just be open, curious and come practice. I'll do my best to make you have a good class.

And your Yogi Philosophy?
One that sits really firmly within me is this one.

Everything that we human beings do, be it talking, singing, dancing or working is essentially an expression of who we are. Our thoughts, words and actions determine what we do, where we’re going and how we live our lives.

We have a choice though in this life. The choice can be to either let our thoughts and emotions lead us. Or we can practice yoga and turn within to discover what we are truly meant to do in this cycle.