“It is our life experiences that we bring to the mat… and from our practice we create the fabric of our lives….”
Having grounded his feet (tadasana-style) in more than fifty-five countries on five continents, Robert infuses a truly global aura into his twenty years of teaching experience and thirty years of public service that allows his students to see the world as it really is.
Robert’s personal yoga experience began at the Jivamukti Yoga School in New York and at various studios throughout Manhattan. Robert is devoted to a powerful vinyasa flow that is catalyzed by a mindful selection of inspiring and enlightening music.
Upon meeting D’ana Baptiste at a retreat at Utah’s Hidden Springs Ranch , Robert felt his teaching persuasion kindled, and as D’ana’s student, he completed a 500-hour certification at Centered City Yoga in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her influence remains with him today in every class.
To immerse himself in his Ashtanga practice, Robert sought out Ajay Kumar of Sthalam8 Yoga Shala in Mysore, India, where his dedication to that practice further solidified. While in Mysore, Robert was also introduced to B. N. S. Iyengar and under his guidance, completed an intensive Pranayama and Philosophy curriculum.
Robert later returned to India–this time to Rishikesh, “Yoga Capital of the World”— to study with Kamal Singh of Tattvaa Yoga Shala. Through the artistry of adjustment; the strength and power of bandha; and the keen focus of pranayama, Robert learned that the true essence of the practice is created and nurtured from a place deep within us. Also in Rishikesh, Robert began to advance his studies in Ayurveda, Sanskrit, and chanting, and he ultimately spent three years traveling around Asia in pursuit of their necessary technical skills and resonant wisdom.
Today, Robert maintains his daily practice as his method of spiritual and physical progression. He loves to practice with the many talented teachers of Jivamukti London and New York regularly, and he thanks them all for their personal attention to his journey.
Most recently his journey to Bali, Indonesia and stay at the Gandhi Ashram in Candidasa was yet another catalyst in discovering the dharma path in which we all share with others and to study with profound teachers and have dialouge with exceptional leaders of Indonesia. The ’Bali Spirit’ class created was the end result of such a blessings and experience to bring to the community of Chicago.
“Teaching from the heart is the greatest reward to share with my students today.”
