ALC5 Cyclist Tony Eason: Free Yoga Classes - City Hall

Tony Eason

On 01 January 1994, I realized that there was more to life than: guzzling an expensive bottle of Robert Mondavi Chardonnay, being the belle of the ball, speaking of what others need to work on, and/or sitting daily on the same coach (in self pity). So, I bought a 10 year old Bianchi Road Bike. And I began a 6-month intense cycling training for a cycling event called the California AIDS Ride #2.

In May of 1994, I left San Francisco with $3.00 in my pocket, no idea of how I was going to return, a questionable bike, the fear of failure, and began to cycle (along with 1500 other cyclist) toward West Hollywood. Seven days, 575 miles later, I arrived in West Hollywood. At which point, I realized it is possible to step outside of your normal routine. I realized it is possible to empower yourself while assisting others. I realized that I wasn’t alone in my ideas of creating a better world. And I realized that miracles could occur (after all, I made it back home with $3.00 in my pocket) .

ALC5 Blogs

AIDS/LifeCycle 5 Web Coverage
Daily stories, photos and podcasts
Cyclist Dusty Klass' ALC5 Blog
Dusty is a student at UC Santa Barbara.
Cyclist Gary Cotti's ALC5 Blog
Gary works in reality TV and lives in LA.
Cyclist Jon Garrison's ALC5 Blog
Jon is an HIV positive 2nd year ALC veteran.
Cyclist Tony Eason's ALC5 Blog
Tony is a yoga instructor in SF.
Roadie Midori's ALC5 Blog
Midori is a writer and educator on intimacy in SF.

The AIDS/LifeCycle Podcast

On 08 October, 2006, I continued with my intention of teaching free yoga classes on the lawn of San Franciso's City Hall. And, a most wonderful day it was .. ..
At 10:00am. May and I began the Surya Namaskar A Yoga Sequence. We then proceed to find repose in Virabhadrasana I. Followed by Virabhadrasana II. And then, Parsvokanasana.
Soon later, a rather large man approached me.
He asked me, "do you mind if I join in?
I smiled. Laughed. Looked at May. And told him, "sit down."
I asked him, "do you have any challeges or ailments that I should be aware of?" He told me, "I have chronic lumbar pain. I'm on methadone, vicodin, morphine, and today, I started taking ibuprofen."
I refocused the yoga sequence to accomidate lower lumbar pain.
May, the new yogi, and I proceeded with modified versions of BHARADVAJASANA, Marichyasana, and Jathara Parivartanasana
Our new yogi then stood up. And told me, "you are a gift from god. I feel better already."
He then began to walk through the park. Tet five minutes later, he returned and asked for a flyer. He stated, "I want to take one of your flyers to my group meeting."
What more could a teacher ask then to have the possibility to help someome work through their pain.
A wonderful day it was.
Wishing the best of all possible worlds,
Iyenar Yoga Teacher,
AIDS LifeCycle Cyclist
tony
P.s Don't forget about my shout out to Harpo Productions & Oprah Winfrey