Yoga Strong Man Alon!

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So Alon, tell us your Koh Phangan story?
I first came in 1997 on my way back from a Japan trip to relax for a few months and go to a few parties, then I went back to Israel. In 2010 I came back to do a one month Ashtanga course with one of the most famous yoga teachers in world Matthew Sweeney, this was on other side of the island in Sanctuary. Then I was invited by Orion Healing Centre in Sri Thanu about one year ago to teach their Ashtanga classes on a daily basis from 7.30 to 9.30am, six days a week so this is what I did this for the first eight months.

When did you start yoga?
In 2001 in Byron Bay in Australia, it was after one of my friends reccomended me to try it as I had been practising martial arts and yoga helps with this to gain flexibility and strength. That is when I met Matthew Sweeney for the first time. He gave me his book and I started to study his methods by myself, then I learnt with other yoga teachers.

What is it about yoga that attracted you?
To gain the flexibilty and softness not just physical toughness that Muay Thai asks for, it is a good combination of stamina, flexibility and strength.

Tell us about Ashtanga yoga?
It came from Pattabhi Joyce from India, he built sequences of movement and breathing, synchronising with the breath. So I learnt the first sequence, then primary, intamidiate, the advance a, b and so on. I learnt the primary and intermidiate with Matthew and with another yoga teacher in Israel. I was then certified in Israel on the first two sequences by the Israeli Union of Yoga Teachers. It is more physical than standard yoga, it creates more heat, makes you sweaty and helps with detoxification. You use a lot of physical muscles and activation of core muscles, there is lots of movement like jumping and handstanding etc.

Who has been one of your biggest yoga influences?
Apart from Matthew Sweeney, it was a teacher called Sry Yogi Darma Mitra from New York. I was in his teacher certified yoga training and learnt from him. His method is very physical and challenging, I did this in 2010. Another certification I have is yoga therapy which I did in israel 2012, so I am also a yoga therapist.

What is special about your yoga teaching?
I can modify the yoga to the ability of the student, and make it for everybody. I also bring the therapeutic element. I am trying to synchronise the polarities in nature not only flexibility or strength but the combination between them. I think one of my great strengths is that I bring yoga to everyone.

What is the best thing you have ever been involved with or done?
I have built this yoga therapy course. I finished one month ago, it’s the best project i have done

What do you do in your free time?
I like motorbikes! Travelling on a motorbike is the biggest love of my life, plus women! I have travelled many places on my motorbike. When I have time I go to the beach and do sports like surfing or I do Muay Thai. I still like to party a little also.

Where is your favourite place here?
Thong Nai Pan, I like the area in general. Also Than Sadet where the waterfall is.

What are your next projects?
Next for me is to build one hundred hours additional teacher training on yoga therapy, for teachers to learn more about therapy aspects.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Here or travelling, still doing the courses and of course teaching yoga.

What is your life philosophy?
Limitation is a creation of the mind.

When and where do you teach? And how do people join to these courses..
Samma Karuna, only to courses with teacher training and open course for teachers and students and practioners that want to do yoga alliance and therapy.