Combining Hatha Yoga and the weekly parasha

The Kosher Sutras:  The Jewish Way in Yoga and Meditation by Marcus J. Freed, Freedthinker Books, 2013, pgs 210, ISBN 1624075886

By Eva Trieger

What is the outcome when East meets West?  Can two seemingly diverse philosophies blend to give rise to a new paradigm that culls the best from both?  According to Yoga teacher, BBC broadcaster and author, Marcus J. Freed, the answer is a resounding “Yes!”  In a recent phone interview, I was able to learn more about this notion of blending two ancient, seemingly discrete teachings.

Freed began practicing traditional yoga 14 years ago.  As an avid gymnast, Freed discovered that yoga provided deeper relaxation and rendered him a wellspring of energy.  Living in S. Kensington, England,  Freed trained with Edward Clark, the creator of Tripsichore Yoga Theater.  Sharing this yoga theater in over twenty countries, Freed began to make correlations between yoga and spiritual ideas.

Hatha yoga became a “gateway and a pathway” to access the entire body and the mind simultaneously. Freed realized that he was able to help people connect to a higher spirit and this, he translated into mentoring entrepreneurs with consciousness based business practices.

As a former president of the Jewish Yoga Network, Freed explained that he promoted an international community for Yoga and Meditation and began looking for Jewish connections.  By looking to the weekly parasha, Freed revealed that an asana, or yogic posture, would represent the Torah portion.  In the case of Chayei Sarah, the camel is a prominent figure.  Not only is it the “ship of the desert” but it also provides foreshadowing.  When Eliezer sees Rebecca, he knows that she is the proper bride for Isaac, because she offers to water his camels, unbidden.   Ustrasana, the camel pose, is a backward bend which “opens the heart, breathing passages, and builds endurance.”

Freed attended yeshivot in Israel and in England.  He did post graduate work and completed his Yoga Teacher Training.  He studied the Zohar and Kabbalah but told this reporter than he learned most from teaching.  Though he taught yoga, Freed felt that he had other gifts to offer and insights to share.  He wants people to be able to optimize and empower their lives.  To this end, Freed’s book The Kosher Sutras, promotes a true purpose and higher values, using yoga practice as a starting point.

The author acknowledges that while there are major differences between Eastern philosophy and Judasim that at the core, the deepness of yoga is to “combine, unify, and become one.”  Freed queried, “Doesn’t that oneness echo the Shema?”  In teaching theories from his book, he underscored that the concepts are consciousness, responsibility and knowledge.

Freed told me “we’re just an extension of the Divine Spirit.  Our bodies are on loan to us and life is short.  There is a huge potential within us and our task is to improve the world.  When we command our breath and consciousness we can enjoy and deeply celebrate life.”

The Kosher Sutras is available at Amazon, and Marcus Freed will be speaking and signing copies of his book at the Lawrence Family JCC Tuesday, November 5 at 9 a.m.  Namaste!
*
Trieger is a freelance writer who specializes in coverage of the arts and culture.  She may be contacted at eva.trieger@sdjewishworld.com