An Interview with John Friend
by Kathy Carroll
For 15 years, I was a once-a-week yoga practitioner. Week after week my teacher would extol the value of home practice, but week after week I was too busy — too preoccupied — to heed her advice. About four years ago something inside me began to shift and I started to make the time to do yoga at home. At first I felt resistance; it took a lot of effort to get myself to the mat. Over time though, my home practice has become what is often the sweetest time of my day. Doing yoga at home is paying off on many levels. I am enjoying a greater sense of peace, more connection with that silent observer within. My yoga postures are becoming stronger and deeper. Just the other day my sister complimented me. “It’s not just the blue dress,” she said. “You are carrying yourself differently.” The world looks different when you carry yourself differently.
I am honored and grateful to John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga for sharing ways to help my own practice evolve and to help other students with their practice. This interview took place after an Anusara Teacher Training as we were driving through Washington, DC on our way to a party John hosted for students and assistants at Jane Fryer’s home.
