The first time I met Linda, we sat down for an interview. Her yoga reputation precedes her and I was eager to uncover more about her. Aside from being gracious, she is full of humor, equanimity, and compassion.
Jane Morimoto: What interested you in Mysore?
Linda Bender: I would see many students coming out of the room sweating. I thought, Wow! I want to sweat and get involved. I found out the class was Mysore.
I attended my first Mysore class during a 60-Day Challenge. It turned out I loved it!
The teachers were very attentive and helpful, and I received a lot of encouragement and praise.
JM: Did Mysore present any challenges to your practice?
LB: Yes, a big yes! There were a lot of challenges. At the time, I knew some of the poses, but many were foreign and different. Yoga focuses on breathing, and to this day, I still forget to breathe in my poses. It’s not just the asanas. It is so much more: breathing, being present and truthful, plus accepting yourself where you are in your practice.
It was and is still challenging for my body. I work hard on my practice.
JM: What helped you with those challenges?
LB: My teachers Mojdeh, Julie, and Eva helped me, and they continue to be my mentors. They would adjust my limbs and posture, particularly the raised shoulders, reminding me they should be relaxed and down.
They are in tune with each student’s body. They motivate me to keep going and keep trying.
JM: How are you currently deepening your yoga practice?
LB: I recently completed the 200-hour yoga teacher training. I wanted to deepen my practice and understanding. We studied anatomy, the philosophy of yoga from the beginning to now, and Sanskrit.
JM: How has completing the teacher training changed your practice?
LB: I would say understanding anatomy was the biggest help. Knowing muscles, ligaments, and joints and their movements was key. We had to learn whether the muscles were in flexion or extension, retraction or protraction, adduction or abduction, and more.
I am also learning to be more accepting.
JM: What are your future goals for your yoga practice?
LB: Well, now my goals are to achieve a headstand and find enjoyment in practicing marichyasana, the pose dedicated to the Sage Marichi.
