I like chance encounters and rely strongly on the connection I feel when I meet someone, so the question of **who I would like to meet and spend time with**, made me think carefully. 

####  [**Laruga Glaser**](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjP86uZqMP2AhUGecAKHRQyCooQtwJ6BAg_EAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Flotsofyoga.com%2Fblogs%2Fyoga-tips%2Flaruga-glaser-ashtanga-yoga-teacher&usg=AOvVaw3M5QKI16j_aOeibNHfJit4) - My epitome of a modern-day Yoga Guru.

![ ](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d27afd_954782c4cf5b47f3b02efb9f739c21bc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000%2Ch_667%2Cal_c/file.png)

[<sub>Image Source</sub>](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liveologyyogastudios.com%2Fpost%2Flaruga-glaser&psig=AOvVaw05LYFukV1DMhElnPMTOCxR&ust=1647270070426000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAsQjRxqFwoTCODK4eqtw_YCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD)


I only learned about Laruga a few years ago...
 
*A beautiful soul came into my life at a period that felt like I had found light at the end of a long dark tunnel.*

*I was practicing a simple yoga regime that gave me much relaxation, calmness, and made me feel good at the end. 
My beautiful friend watched me practice, and at the finish, she explained that she also practices yoga daily, but her yoga routine was a more intense, rigorous, and advanced one.*

*My friend invited me to join her, and of course, I agreed... <sub> Not knowing the shock I was in for.* </sub>

____


At the end of the first session, I felt aggravated and uneasy. 
Emotionally upset really. 

I walked away with my mat feeling like I wanted to punch someone.
It was a strange feeling that I could not associate, and never thought I could feel after a yoga session.
The feeling "troubled" my mind.

____

Anyhow, I continued to follow her routine a few more times, but at the end of the fourth morning, I was compelled to get my feelings off my chest.

> ####  "Pardon my ignorance; are these moves that we do, really yoga, or do they fall under contortionism?" I asked her.

My friend took the question well, and she explained that there are different kinds of yoga and that this one she introduced me to was [**Ashtanga Yoga**](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjvmKPzrMP2AhV0nVwKHQKHBbAQFnoECCkQAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ashtanga.com%2F&usg=AOvVaw1bypzjaOjc0Y7pq5M_w0p7), a more demanding and athletic form of yoga than my [Vinyasa Flow Yoga](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj80p3LucP2AhVKasAKHYs5A7kQtwJ6BAgEEAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verywellfit.com%2Fintroduction-to-vinyasa-flow-yoga-4143120&usg=AOvVaw3YJcEPoPZNvxSKJl6qL895).

______

My performance improved after many sessions. I felt changes in my body and we both observed inhibitors in my body, yet I reached possibilities I didn't know I was capable of. 
Many of the moves felt like torture, but I trusted my friend because she was a senior physiotherapist and she had more confidence in my body's ability than I had of it myself.

***My friend commented on one occasion that the determination she saw in me and that my style and my movements reminded her of Laruga Glaser, a master yogi known for her soft, smooth, accurate, and precise transitions of movements.  My friend encouraged me to develop my skills through practice, and she suggested that I use Laruga as my role model.***

____

I researched Laruga, and Ashtanga, and I was inspired to delve deeper and explore the world of yoga.

https://youtu.be/SZCxKjgReQ4

_________

In today's world of impressionism, exhibitionism, and shallow show-off-ness, I'm never impressed by seeing outlandish yoga poses, unless I know what benefits they have, and how safe they are to practise.

With Laruga, I can feel the deep connection that she has with yoga (the spiritual and physical side of it).

If somehow Laruga and I were to meet, I would take my yoga mat, because I knew more than likely that Laruga would have hers. 
Laruga embodies a true yogi, so any where and any time, would be the perfect setting.

I would first like to watch Laruga do her magic, because she is simply impressive, and from what I've seen of her, she has found herself through yoga. 
I would request for Laruga to observe me do a basic version of her advanced Yoga routine. 

**Our discussions would involve the foundation, the possibilities, and best strategies for growth as a yogi.** 



I selected Laruga as the most inspirational yogi that I'd like to meet, based on my observation of her.
She is devoted, determined, disciplined, and most important, a master who considers herself a student for life. 

I would like to discuss with Laruga how she developed her flexibility and strength, without ever seeming to compromise her body, and would also seek suggestions specially tailored for my body type.
Laruga's practice is deep, spiritual, and believeable, compared to many yogi's I have encountered who are more impressed with the shock effect from others on their acrobatic and gymnastic abilities. 

______

I trust that a meeting with Laruga would be mutually beneficial; mainly because the style of yoga, Ashtanga, that Laruga specialises in is a set routine. Therefore whatever guidance Laruga would give, would be beneficial, and the rest would be up to me...As they say in Ashtanga Yoga; 

"Practice, practice, practice, and all is coming."

Therefore, with Laruga's guidance, I would have the confidence to elevate and push myself to take my yoga practice further, and I think she would walk away with a rewarding feeling from seeing my progress.



________ 

I'll leave you with a popular quote from the man who invented the Ashtanga Yoga Practice:

<center>*"Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man who doesn’t have strength can practice. Except lazy people; lazy people can’t practice Ashtanga yoga."*</center>

— K. Pattabhi Jois


Trust me, his statement on point!