Darrel Leyk RYT

My first exposure to yoga was in February 2006, watching a Level 2 class my wife was taking at Spokane Yoga Shala. She had just finished the Mastering the Basics and ecstatically urged me to watch, thinking I might join the next group of beginners. I was blown away and enrolled immediately.I hadn't been involved in any type of training for years, and brought a well-used and injured body to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga. During most of the 1980's I had practiced and taught martial arts and self-defense under Jiro Shiroma, receiving my 3rd degree black belt in 1991. I competed in PKA and Muay Thai amateur and professional kickboxing until deciding to move from Arizona to Washington, following the construction industry in 1991.

Not finding a teacher to replace Shiroma, I no longer practiced martial arts but stayed very “active” with my construction business and raising three very athletic sons. Between work and play accidents, I needed four knee surgeries, but my greatest challenge was a dirt bike accident in 1998 with a broken back requiring fusion. I brought my usual fierce dedication to this practice, as I had brought to my family, martial arts, dirt biking and my business. So while I was learning these strengthening and mobilizing poses on my mat, the greater voice my yoga teachers reminded me to listen to was…to practice ahimsa (to be gentle to myself) …to learn and listen and be patient…that hard work and devotion are great, especially when balanced with some kindness to my body. I am especially grateful to my teacher, Katie Gehn, for her knowledgeable, kind and humorous approach to Ashtanga. My practice at Spokane Yoga Shala also includes workshops with David Garrigues, Dave Oliver and Timo Jimenez. At the mark of my first two years of practice, I noticed a flyer Katie posted for David Garrigues's 200-hour teacher training intensive at The Ashtanga Yoga School in Seattle. With Katie's encouragement, and the support of my best friend and wife of 28 years, I completed the training. Experiencing the challenge and learning process of Ashtanga Yoga is what I would like to help others with.