A book That Inspired You – David Curtis
Lisa: Hi David, is there a certain book that comes to mind that has inspired or motivated you to become a better teacher?
David: The book I have been most inspired by is Chaya Yoga: The Principles of Hatha Yoga by Shandor Remete. This book is an in-depth exploration of the energetic principles behind an effective yoga practice and the step by step process needed to master these principles. I choose this book as it helps inform the practitioner of principles that, while inherent to the ancient practice of Hatha Yoga, are unfortunately no longer found as the foundation for practice in most modern yoga styles.
David Curtis
David began a disciplined daily practice of yoga in the mid-90s when living in San Francisco. As an athlete, he was attracted to the dynamic practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa and was inspired by the discipline it takes to practice this method effectively.
David’s main influences then were the Founders of Yogaworks in LA, Senior Ashtanga teachers Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty under whom he studied with daily for two years and later in workshops across Europe as well. They taught him how to practice dynamically yet with humility and with an emphasis on safety.
He has studied extensively in India, Australia, and the U.S under various Senior teachers in both the Ashtanga and Iyengar Methods.
David is currently under the direct guidance of the founder of Shadow Yoga and Nrtta Sadhana Zhander Natanaga (Shandor Remete) and his wife Emma Balnaves to whom he is profoundly grateful for their depth of knowledge and the sincerity of t
heir path. Although he has recently been given permission to teach the three preludes of Shadow Yoga he continues to learn daily from this sophisticated system of Hatha Yoga.
David is also a certified Somatic Movement Educator (SME) through the International Institute of Somatic Movement Education based in Tamil Nadu, South India. SME is a neuromuscular re-education system that facilitates sensory-motor learning to gain greater voluntary control of the physiological process resulting in freedom of ease and agility of movement.