Sixteen years ago Russell called Hamish from Brighton and asked for his much needed help...
“What I am doing wrong, Hamish? I’ve only got 6 students. I don’t know if I can do this.”
Hamish answered with his usual affable enthusiasm, “You’re doing great! 6 students is great!” That he even took the time to take the call is an example of Hamish’s heart. He really, truly cares for people.
A year later Hamish went to Russell’s wedding in Essex and read this poem there from the Isha Upanishad:
“The Lord is enshrined in the hearts of all.
The Lord is the supreme Reality.
Rejoice in him through renunciation.
Covet nothing. All belongs to the Supreme.”
This sacred verse describes our beloved international treasure to a tee. Hamish Hendry is a friend to all of us. He’s so effortlessly dedicated to yoga and to the practice itself, that he makes his unearthly personal discipline both seem easily attainable and endlessly enjoyable.
He has a mesmerizing and rich intelligence that makes yoga sound like it’s something easily explained down at the pub. And, as Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it to a six year old, you don’t really understand it.” What’s clear, is that Hamish most certainly does.
He explains yoga, Sanskrit, philosophy, and his innumerable adventures with ease. Our particularly favorite story was how he recounted being possibly the only person in the universe shot during an Ashtanga yoga practice:
“I think I’ve been shot, Derek!” he exclaimed one morning in Greece during his studies with the Man of Bronze, the legendary Derek Ireland.
It was a great privilege and pleasure to spend time with Mr. Hendry and we're sure you'll feel as we did, that it all comes to an end much too quickly. We hope you enjoy being a part of our conversation with this unique, humble, and goodhearted man.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HAMISH
ASTANGA YOGA LONDON I PUSHPAM MAGAZINE I INSTAGRAM
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Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Simply Click Here.
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