TYRONE WATSON

WHAT DREW YOU TO KATONAH YOGA?

I was drawn to the idea that having a spiritual experience is as simple as finding a new frame of reference than the one that you’re used to. This “aha moment” is usually the result of something practical, like using a measure of two fists between your feet to find them hip-width distance.

HOW HAS KATONAH CHANGED YOUR PRACTICE & TEACHING?

Katonah has changed my practice and teaching by allowing me to explore the use of metaphor. I’ve been able to give my students the tools to measure themselves well so that the structure of the body holds up, simple, necessary tasks with real function for living a better life as opposed to the fancy footwork of a choreographed sequence. Using metaphor in this way allows me to bring students with me on a narrative that lets them move into their own house and invest their imagination into their practice. 

HOW HAVE YOU SEEN KATONAH CHANGE STUDENTS?

One of Katonah Yoga’s most distinct characteristics is its use of language. During my early 20’s I moved from South Africa to the USA, and even though I spoke the same language explicitly I lost some of the implicit fluency of day to day life. The nuance of culture within language defines so much of what it means to be understood in a place. Often you are misunderstood not just by words and their meaning, but by the cultural reference points in the contact that you’re making. So even in simple interactions, your most casual conversation becomes an experience where something is missed. Having a practice that refined how I was able to articulate myself gave me back so much of that fluency and it is something I consistently see Katonah Yoga give students: the words to help them better navigate the world and their lives.