With Father’s Day approaching I thought I would shake up my blog feature Inspiring Yoga Mama and look for some Inspiring Yoga Dads this week instead! I have had such an amazing response that we’re kicking things off a little earlier today with our first Inspiring Yoga Dad with more interviews to follow on Sunday!
Daniel Lumley (33) from Newcastle has an eleven year old son and is a Forrest Yoga Teacher at Jambo Yoga, Massage Therapist and Reiki Healer. I found his story to be especially inspiring which made me decide to extend the feature this week!
Daniel teaches yoga in drug & alcohol rehabs in Newcastle. He was a chronic drug abuser himself a few years back but completely turned his life around and credits yoga for giving him the strength to achieve this transformation.
Check out his blog Jumbo Yoga and also his YouTube channel which he is just building up.
Here is my interview with Daniel.
What first brought you to yoga?
I met my teacher whilst receiving treatment in a drug & alcohol rehab.
What style of yoga do you practice?
Forrest Yoga.
Tell us about your first ever yoga class?
I was wired on energy drinks, wearing thick joggers and a hoodie. I felt like I was going to pass out with almost every movement that I made and I was highly uncomfortable, judging myself on what I could not do. I felt great afterwards and knew that I had to accept the voice that didnât want me to go back and do the opposite.
When and where do you do yoga?
I practice daily. If I am teaching, I practice for at least two hours beforehand. If I am resting I breathe, do basic poses and meditate. I am connected to a massive yoga tribe and we practice together regularly. I attend classes with other teachers as a treat. I love to practice outdoors as the sun comes up in the summer months.
What does your family think about you doing yoga?
They have accepted it as they accepted all of the crazy things that I did prior to yoga, only at this stage in my life they have accepted that I am happy and that they do not have to worry about me no more. My son only really knows me as a yogi as he was still young when I began practicing yoga. As I grow and change my standard of living he questions
things from time to time and I do my best to answer as to why I do certain things.
What does yoga mean to you?
Bridging the gap that can sometimes develop between body and mind.
Give us 3 reasons why every man should practice yoga.
- You will learn to love yourself.
- The world will love you loving yourself.
- You will love the world with open arms in the manner that you love yourself
(And your abs and ass will look fantastic).
What do you do when you donât do yoga?
I play/collect computer games. I paint/draw graffiti art. I listen to reggae music. I go to concerts and generally just laze about (I love nothing more than to chill). I spend time with my son and my girlfriend.
Who inspires you and why?
If I have to chose one person out of many then it is Bob Marley. He was such a beautiful man with such a positive message for humanity. He inspired and still does inspire millions of people all over the world. He touches the compassionate elements of my spirit and inspires me to live with love as my guide.
What do you feel passionate about?
Being a father
Your advice for intimidated yoga beginners and particularly men?
If it is something that you really want to do, then find a class and just show up. You cannot begin the journey until you have taken the first step. The stories in your head will stay in your head until you experience something that
challenges whatever those stories may be. As is such in life, we were all beginners at some point and we all experienced similar things the first time that we got on the mat.
Do some research and find out what the yoga community is like where you live. It is easy to get online today
and link with like minded people (males already practicing yoga) who can and most of the time are
willing to support you in your early days.
You can find Daniel on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and his website Jambo Yoga!
If you want to be our next Inspiring Yoga Mama (or Daddy) or know of anyone who could inspire us then get in touch with Christine on info@yogaberry.net.Â
