Teacher Feature Fall 2001
Moses Brown

I’m the rookie at WSYC. I’m the new kid in Takoma Park, but I’m not that new to yoga.

I’ve been interested in Health, Wellness, and Spirituality since I was 20. Before that I think it was politics. In college I was partial to social causes and social justice. I became a vegetarian while attending University in Madison, Wisconsin in the early 70’s. My interest in diet had a lot to do with the environment and with social and economic justice. I began eating natural foods and took greater interest in healing and wellness in 1975. I soon became a zealous convert and in 1976 opened a Macrobiotic Food store with friends in Maryland.

I began to see Health and Wellness in a larger spiritual sense and was greatly inspired by the writings of Mahatma Gandhi. This was my first awareness of Yoga and his practice of Ahimsa (non-harming) one of the Yamas in Yoga Philosophy. Gandhi had a very embracing, patient, and practical approach. Gandhi also had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. I consider him my first direct yoga influence. I still enjoy reading his works and I love the movie Gandhi, in fact, it’s the only movie video I have ever purchased!

I came to yoga due to some mild but chronic hip pain and general stiffness. I started Hatha Yoga in 1989, doing some private sessions with a yoga teacher and found immediate benefit. The integration of movement and alignment in yoga seemed so remarkable and yet so obvious I wondered why I hadn’t noticed it before. Many of my aches and pains went away. I felt stronger and more flexible and yoga heightened my sense of wellness.

In 1995 I went to a John Friend workshop and really felt a strong connection to him and his approach to yoga. His style of teaching was heartfelt, fun, and creative. I was attracted immediately as he also had an embracing, patient, and practical approach. My personality is more playful, I love jokes and I love to laugh. I began studying with him as often as I could and attending weeklong retreats that he offered in Utah. Last year I was certified in Anusara Yoga and also designated a "Teacher Trainer".
I’ve been teaching in Columbia, Maryland for the last 10 years and besides teaching at WSYC, I also direct the Yoga Program at RiverHill Wellness Center in Columbia.

In my classes I strive to create an approach that is physically dynamic, therapeutic, mentally stimulating, and a lot of fun. John Friend challenges us to use the 3 L’s in being effective. Each day have we lived, loved, and laughed fully. We call it practice so when we leave the studio we can more fully embrace the 3 L’s in our lives! Yoga should be a heart opening experience that is supportive, empowering and a lot of fun. I feel so blessed to be a part of the WSYC family where the 3 L’s are joyfully at home!