Zbynek Haluza (Ziggy)
For me, yoga is first and foremost an approach to life that allows us to tune in and be ourselves. The practice of yoga postures, breathing exercises and meditation are tools that shape us and help us on this journey.
I was introduced to the practice of yoga in 2000 in Hong Kong, where I was living at the time. I attended my first yoga class on the recommendation of a friend. At the end of the class I felt a slight physical tiredness, a pleasant relaxation and a very strong feeling of joy inside.
This powerful feeling of lightness and peace gradually led me to start a regular practice in 2003, mainly under the guidance of an Indian teacher, Master Kamal, from the Himalayan yoga tradition. Over the next three years I also had the opportunity to meet other senior teachers and to try different styles of yoga (Hatha yoga including Pranayama, Kundalini yoga, Bhakti yoga and a few different meditation techniques). At that time my practice was mainly vinyasa flow and pranayama.
In February 2006 I had the chance to meet Paul Dallaghan, a great yoga teacher, on a retreat in Thailand. Paul's guidance gave depth to my pranayama practice and introduced me to the Ashtanga Vinyasa asana approach, which influenced me greatly and became part of my life for many years. At Yoga Thailand (now called Samahita) over the next few years I attended the Teachers' Training Course and several advanced intensive trainings leading to the Yoga Alliance RYT 500 certification in 2010.
One of the advanced courses was led by Paul's teacher O.P.Tiwari from Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla, India. This meeting happened to be an important milestone.
After returning to Prague, I continued to practice and study the yogic disciplines under the guidance of Tiwariji and his son Sudhir Tiwari.
In 2008 I began to teach classes.
Life circumstances and experiences change the form of my practice, but the essence remains.
My thanks go to all the teachers who have guided me on this journey and to my wife Ivana for her constant support.
Om
Zbyněk (Ziggy)
