I go by the name Uma, who is an incarnation of the Hindu devi Parvati. I’m a bike racing, rock climbing, meditating, brainiac tomboy girlie-girl ninja yogini, and I definitely have my moments. Often I’m the class clown and utterly graceless–usually at the most inopportune times. Once I was elegant and serene, all grown-up-like, but I’ve traded my mortgage and publishing career in for a daily yoga habit, a bunch of bikes, a climbing rack, and a well-stocked ‘fridgethat most definitely includes bacon.
I teach yoga for a living, coaching others into healthier states of body and mind, with an emphasis on meditation and psychology. What better product could I offer than healthy, happy living? My long-standing love affair with cycling led me to racing which led me to study coaching for cyclists. Getting hit by a truck while riding my bike changed all that. Now I don’t race much, but I ride a bunch and discovered a passionate interest in rock climbing as well.
It has been my experience that yoga, running, bike racing and rock climbing are not so very different on a psychological basis. Their forms differ, sure, but each offers very similar internal challenges and opportunities to transform suffering into grace.
I started blogging a few years ago when I started racing bikes as a way of explaining to my students that “real yoga” (not the exercises, but the psychological state of yoga) isn’t bound to sticky mats, ashrams and meditation pillows. Throwing down in the local criterium, masterful arm balances, rocky descents, gnarly powder and tough cruxes can all bring us to a state of heightened consciousness. Flow is where you find it.
Samadhi (a yoga term that described being absorbed in a state of bliss) isn’t guaranteed, but it can be cultivated. It’s more a question of how you live than what you do in your life. Not a lifestyle per se, but rather a personal credo, an attitude more than any specific belief. Sort of like more cowbell.
Sometimes earnest and serious, frequently off-color, often irreverent and full of f-bombs, my writing (like me) flows in the moment. For every sincere comment I receive I make a donation to the dZi Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves impoverished communities that fall below the radar of other International Non-Governmental Organizations due to caste make-up and remote location. So leave a comment. It’s just good karma.
Thanks for the reminder of how important getting that stoke is for mental happiness. There is nothing else like it. Cheers for the inspiration.
Jacquie! Any chance you are heading up this way for SSCCXWC 09?
THANK you for the link, m’dear!!
Til we meet.
The original Cow belle
the old bat,
the filthy mudwoman
jacquiephelan.com
hey UMA very nice blog i just love it. keep on the great path of light and thank you for the energy brought out with this blog! thank you.
Whats happening,
It was cool to see you out on our trail
“Ol’ Dirty Pirate”. I hope we weren’t to stupid in our ramblings; as it had been a super long day of building trail features. How was your group night ride?
Good I hope. Good luck in the Picketts race tomarrow!
Hopefully we’ll see ya on the trails again sometime.
Cheers,
Nick Braun, COTA Freeride Coordinator
Matt: Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply. I just missed this comment!
You are a New Yorker, are you not? I would recommend trying a bunch of different classes at different studios. Just sample them, until you find one you like, and then do it. Twice a week will show results in a few weeks. Once a week… Not so much. I’d start there. Every studio has their own vibe and culture, and every teacher has a unique approach, so it’s important to find one that works. I’m a no-bullshit, straight shooter and I have no patience for the touchy feelie stuff AT ALL. Some people like that sort of thing. Ashtanga yoga is a really great form that utilize the same poses every single time, without deviation, so if you like routine and familiarity I’d seek that. Ashtanga is not an easy practice. It’s effin’ hard. But the rewards are commensurate with the effort. Mysore style is where it’s at. Let me know if I can be more helpful. (I do plan to expand my website http://www.umakleppinger.com soon to include podcasts and video downloads, so check back this summer…) More cowbell. Uma
huh. it’s often I read htatbl. it’s not often that I come across a page of this magnitude. To someone who stirs up my wanderlust like you do. I’ve never had a successful anything career, but all the same you make me want to trade this (SF) struggle for a little town and miles of singletrack meditation day in and day out.
thanks. I think.
Meow!
Totally dig the “real yoga” attitude. I also really appreciate the way that non-traditional activities (like cycling) can complement a martial art practice.
I’m glad Ninkasi decided to sponsor you, not sure you would have hit my radar otherwise. Keep up the hard work, and continue enjoying yourself!
even at 39 i’m not immune to using the word “rad”. you, i don’t know, but your blog and the words in your blog make me want to know how i can take a class or two. i’m an everyday cyclist for the past 8 years but not a racer… and my body and mind suffer from lack of limbracity.
Hello Uma. I am glad you have pointed me here. I feel like this is going to be a great read. More F-bomb please…
and f-bombs
You had me at ’sticky mats’ and ‘meditation pillows’.