“The real beauty of yoga is about letting go, being flexible and seeing that there is infinite potential in every moment.”

– R. Alexander Medin

Today I’m joined by R. Alexander Medin, a certified Ashtanga Teacher and all around amazing human with an incredible capacity for giving and sharing yoga with generosity, joy and clarity.

Alex shares his story and perspective with immense insight from transitioning from professional boxer to breakdancer to ballet dancer to being certified by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois – an honor achieved by only 33 individuals. 

Alex and I discuss his work with addicts and inmates, using the body as a tool and how the real yoga is to meet the challenges of life (and it begins with gratitude)!

Here’s some key moments:

➖ 02:09 Alex Shares his story (and reminds us about the importance of not getting stuck in our stories) 

➖ 07:07 “Sharing yoga and being in service of yoga and grateful for all the things that yoga brought me”

➖ 09:07 Taking a group of addicts to India for a whole new experience of life and a karma Yoga project to feel meaningful. 

➖14:49 Addiction is something that runs in all levels of society  and the tough work of maintaining a daily routine

➖ 18:20 “When yoga is at its best we connect with our being. And we feel the essence of life.”

➖ 26:33 Starting yoga narcasitically but getting deeper it sparked a whole new dimension of longing and wanting to understand – what is this Self really? 

➖ 30:31 using the body as a tool to observe my reactive patterns

➖ 33:57 Practicing with Pattabhi Jois, acknowledging the accusations and Alex’s perspective of the simplicity and faith in yoga Pattabhi Jois had 

➖ 40:16 The real yoga is to meet the challenges of life & it starts with gratitude

➖ 47:34 “Getting away from achieving and relax with life then there’s a whole new joy and level of clarity that arises.”

➖ 50:00 Joy and Nøsen Yoga Festival 

➖ 54:00 Bhagavad Gita as the text which speaks to the heart

Join myself and Alex at his Norges Yoga Festival in Norwary this July:  norgesyogafestival.no/en/home

Find Nøsen Yoga and Mountain Hotel HERE or on IG: @nosenyoga 

Check out his work with the Back in the Ring Foundation: backinthering.no 

Thanks for listening! 

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💭 If you’d like to chat about the show, be a guest, or practice together find me at bobbipaidel.com/connect 🙏♥️✨