Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2018

63 www.CharlestonBrides.com | www.MPMcalendar.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com feature A s a 59-year-old, red-blooded American boy, why in the world would I do yoga? Are you kidding me? That’s girl stuff, and the pants are way too tight for my, shall we say, physique. Unfortunately, especially in western yoga, the meaning of yoga has been lost. To most of us, yoga simply means a room full of women doing impossible stretches that are not meant for the male body. Nothing could be further from the truth. Western yoga is a combination of meditation and exercise that was developed in part by Britain to train its military. The British added many movements, including the “half push up” in sun salutations, to train its elite forces. It is a union of the physical body with the esoteric; that part of us that we can’t see in the mirror. While the yoga butt is a nice consequence of the practice of yoga, the attainment of a firm body is not the only goal. For me, yoga has been transformational. I was a runner for most of my adult life – never more than five miles – but it was a quick and easy way to keep fit and was a welcome break from the cellphone. At age 50, my pulse was in the mid 60s, my weight was normal and my blood pressure was beginning to creep up, not unlike most of my contemporaries. My back hurt most of the time, and I could not touch my toes with straight legs. One August afternoon nine years ago, I went for a run. It was 98 degrees with 98 percent humidity. Within a mile, I stopped, walked home and threw away my running shoes. I would rather die young than continue the suffering. Shortly thereafter, I walked into a yoga studio, and my life changed for the better. After a short learning curve, I became a “yogi” – one who practices yoga. My pulse dropped to the mid 50s, my blood pressure dropped, I added muscle mass, my back stopped hurting and my mental focus improved. Yoga is nothing short of amazing, and I am committed to sharing its benefits with everyone willing to step on the mat. Yoga: It’s for everyone. Who knew? Blair Hahn is a trial lawyer representing individuals against big pharma. He opened Yoga Daily with Tricia Hughey in Seaside Farms in Mount Pleasant on Jan. 1, 2018. By Blair Hahn Who Knew? Yoga is for Everyone