KB: WHO ARE YOU?
I am a Son
I am a Brother
I am a Friend
I am an Economic Analyst
I am an Athlete
I am a Gym Rat
I am a New Yogi
I am a unique, creative individual with limitless potential
I am Greg Peter Orlando Bhola (aka Rick in AcroYoga *LOL*)
KB: AN ECONOMIC ANALYST? WUZ DAT??
Basically I would monitor & report on all economic and financial developments that are occurring locally as well as internationally. In addition, I would have to write an article in the bank’s economic newsletter every quarter ending. I cannot go into elaborate details just in case somebody from another bank is reading this, but all key decisions that are made by the bank must require our input. I am also responsible for providing economic or financial data to most departments within the bank. And finally, the best part of the job for me is doing research projects because I am very passionate when it comes to statistics.
KB: UHHH…RIGGGGHT! WELL LEMME LEAVE DAT RIGHT THERE…IZ STATS YUH SAY YUH KNOW 0_0? *GRIN* SERIOUSLY, THAT’S COOL! A NUMBERS MAN!
KB: WHEN AND WHY DID YOU START YOGA?
My good friend Colette encouraged me and that was all she wrote.
KB: AND THE IRONY…YOU COMIN’ MORE THAN SHE IS…SO STRANGE HOW THAT TENDS TO HAPPEN. COLETTTTE…WHERE ARE YOU???
KB: NOW THAT YOU ARE INTO YOUR YOGA PRACTICE, WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU SEEN?
Well a lot of my female friends have told me that my body looks more appealing now. However, I have noticed that I am more calm and relaxed than before.
KB: WELL NOT THAT I FOUND ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH YOU BEFORE, BUT I AM GONNA ASSUME THEY MEAN YOU LOOK MORE LEAN. WHEN YOU OVER BODY BUILD YOU TEND TO BULK IN CERTAIN PLACES AND NOT IN OTHERS…WELL NOW YOU MUSCLE TONING IS EVENING OUT…YEAH I COULD SEE THAT *SMILE*
KB: WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST SURPRISE ABOUT YOGA?
I would have never thought yoga could make me sweat so much.
KB: HELLZ YEAH!! AND I BELIEVE YOU DISCOVERED HOW ULTRA TIGHT YOU WERE TOO! SO YOU CAN ADD YOU ARE MORE BODY AWARE TO YOUR LIST AS WELL, NON?
KB: WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
Warrior 2 (VIRABHADRASANA II)
KB: HMMM…A POWER POSE!
KB: WHAT’S YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE YOGA POSE(S)?
Dancers Pose (NATARAJASANA)
KB: DOUBLE HMMM…A STRETCH POSE…LOL…DO YOU SEE WHERE WE ARE GOING WITH THIS? OF COURSE ANYTHING TO STRETCH OR LENGTHEN YOU OUT WILL BE YOUR LEAST FAVE…YOUR MUSCLES ARE TOTALLY WOUND UP! BUT WITH YOUR ADDITION OF YIN YOGA, YOUR BODY WILL LENGTHEN EVEN MORE AND YOUR WORKOUTS WILL BE SAFER ON YOUR BODY. REMEMBER…STRENGTH WITHOUT FLEXIBILITY IS BAAAAD AND FLEXIBILITY WITHOUT STRENGTH IS JUST AS BAAAD, SO YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH!
KB: HOW ABOUT SOME DEEPER PERSONAL STUFF…
I secretly wanted to become a WWE superstar and/or a Hollywood actor. I still believe that I could play a great villain for a James Bond movie.
KB: LOVE EEEET! JUST REMEMBER WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE WHEN YOU GET TO THE TOP, EH?!!
KB: YA GOT ANY STORIES?
Plenty but the most intriguing one was how I learnt to swim. When I was 7 years old, I jumped in the pool and forgot to put on my floats. Initially, I started to drown but apparently it was not my time to go yet. I splashed, paddled and fought my way to the end of the pool. It was not the prettiest freestyle but I was alive. So basically I learnt to swim by accident. However, as funny as this story might sound, I have no doubt that this incident played a pivotal role in defining who I am. Sometimes in life you have to be thrown out into the deep waters in order to discover hidden talents. Sometimes you have to go through an uncomfortable situation to become a stronger individual.
KB: HEAR HEAR!!!
KB: WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FEAR – IN GENERAL, IN LIFE?
Doing yoga in front of the class because when you do something wrong, everybody does see and allyuh…that does be so embarrassing.
KB: YOWWW STOP BEING SILLY! YOU KNOW NO ONE HAS TIME TO BE WATCHING YOU?!! EVERYONE SUFFERING AT THE SAME TIME LOL!
KB: WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Placing first in the Trinidad and Tobago’s Football Referees Association Secondary Schools Examination. I got 97% and I made it on the newspapers.
KB: HOW COOL IS THAT?!! ANNNNND YOU SAID YOU JUST GOT A PROMOTION? THAT MUST FEEL AWESOME TOO, I BET!
KB: WHAT ARE YOU MOST HAPPY WITH OR ABOUT?
A lot of things but I am most happy for the gift of life. Just being able to get up every morning and do the things that I do. That makes me feel good all the time.
KB: ANY OTHER THOUGHTS OR WORDS OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON OR SHARE?
Life is like sand. The tighter you hold on to it, the more it seeps through the spaces in between your fingers. Instead open your hands and you would realize that the sand stays (unless a strong breeze blows of course). But the true essence of the story is that we should live our lives with our hands open so that we can easily give and receive. Quit trying to hold onto things with a tight grip because the harder you try the more you lose.
KB: YOU HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD, MA BROTHA!!! KINDA LIKE YOUR YOGA PRACTICE, YES? THANX SO MUCH FOR THAT!
When Greg first came to class he did the Trial and then I didn’t really see him again. He came with his friend Collette and then that was it…he disappeared. Suddenly, he shows up again and says he going for it…it’s starting back…so said, so done!! And ya see how he says he loves stats? Even as he practises you can see Greg analyzing the poses…breaking it down, BUT he doesn’t give up and just assume he will get it…there’s a look of “just surrendering to the moment and seeing what unfolds” sort of look that comes over him…very interesting! There are many body builder types that come to class and full of injury, but not Greg. He may have a little thing here and there but for the most part, he takes safety very seriously and you can see that in him.
Greg, I kinda doubted you a little when you said you were starting back, but I was very pleasantly proven wrong and am glad that I was. You’ve kinda become a bit of a staple in the class. An awesome person to see in class while teaching…such great energy and enthusiasm toward learning. You are also a very kind person…even when signing in to class, you always wait to make sure you are not barging in front of anyone…such a gentleman you are!!
Ladies…and I’m speaking to mostly my gals of colour…we always complain when we say we can’t find a good black man…well lemme be the first to say that I believe Greg is one guy that can give us all hope *wink*!! Greg ya doin’ ya family proud! In yoga, there are many elements that make up a practice…ASANA (the physical practice) is the third element or “Limb”…the first two Limbs are the Yamas and Niyamas and these have to do with ethics, being kind, non-harming…clean mind/thoughts etc. And the whole practice is about trying to be the best human you can be. It feels to me like you are a true yogi in that regard and you don’t even have to try…saweeeet!
Keep striving Greg! Keep asking questions…keep being the man you are and most of all…keep coming to class! I feel truly honoured to have met you! I feel thankful that our paths have crossed…your energy, light and spirit are a true joy to have around!
Here’s to both hands being open…to receiving all that the universe has to offer and to many more yoga classes together!
Big big hugz and THANK YOU!!
KB and The Sangha Trinidad
