I wanted to pass along a story that really touched my heart and encouraged me to keep doing what I am doing. After a men’s naked yoga class one evening a new attendee came up to thank me for class. As we chatted for a minute he told me that his psychologist gave him the home work of attending one of my naked yoga classes, kind of forcing him to face his own demons. He said he has always been severely over weight and has never felt good about his body. He always hated dressing up, looking at himself in the mirror, playing team sports and God forbid having to change in the locker room with other physically fit guys. He said it took him 6 months to work up the courage to come to class, take his clothes off in front of other guys and sit quietly, naked on the mat….having never done yoga before.
Fast forward 2 years to yesterday when I received a Thanksgiving Thank You from this same gentleman. He told me that class that night changed his life and he is now fully embracing his true self. He said that’s what he was thankful for this year, that he showed up for class and in return started to embrace and evolve as a new man.
In all reality it’s me who is thankful. I feel so honored that yoga found me and claimed me as a teacher. Im so thankful that I have and will continue to touch men’s lives through the practice of yoga. For that alone, I am honored, humbled and thankful.
by David Oliphant
ABOUT DAVID:
David Oliphant attended his first yoga class in 2005. Little did he know his life would change that day.
After working in the corporate world of hospitality, travel and entertainment for most of his adult life, a reality came over David that while he was living a wonderful and exciting life, he was doing little to touch, support and be of service to others. A calling he always “felt”, but didn’t fully understand how to share until he found yoga. Of course, this awareness changed his own journey as well.
With awareness comes change and soon David made the shift from “Wall Street to Wellness”, receiving his 200 hour Hatha Yoga Certification in 2006. In 2008 with a move to Las Vegas with his partner Christopher, David founded Men’s Naked Yoga Las Vegas. His calling to wellness continues to expand and David now holds additional certifications in Thai Yoga Bodywork and Reiki Energy Healing.
“Many people, including my own parents ask me, why NAKED yoga? As an out gay man I have witnessed many other men struggle with the full acceptance of their bodies. That was my main objective, to help men appreciate and accept the physical body they had been given”. David prides himself on full acceptance and inclusion in his classes. Men of all sizes, shapes, races, ages, yoga abilities, etc. will be comfortable on the yoga mat with David.
“From “Wall Street to Wellness”, I’ve never made less money, but I’ve never been more content with the path of my life”.
david j oliphant
web: yogawithdavid.com
email:wakeupandlaugh@aol.com
mobil: 775.842.4990
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