Yoga High:
by: Jane Pahr

Students at an Italain Liceo Scientifico find a natural high, "The Science of Yoga"
...and a high school gymnasium becomes a sacred space.


Though Trieste, a northern Italian city on the Adriatic coast may seem far away and an Italian Liceo quite different from your average American High School, there is in fact a universal theme in being a teenager : the right of passage, rebellion against the norm while trying to fit in with the group as the transition to adulthood where one is expected to create a life takes place in a world where the future seems ever less certain. The defeatism that often accompanies this is being replaced by an uplift in sprit and actions as a group of Italian high school students reach inwards and connect outwards. The resulting byproduct is increased responsiveness and responsibility at all levels of life. There's hope along with a sense of empowerment as the ever-present now, not some far off inaccessible, inexplicable. unattainable something that one must continually strive towards but never reach, but rather something that is within each and every one is felt.

In the west, we've created a linear, goal oriented approach where education is meant to prepare us to be contributing members of society in an ever more competitive world, parts of a machine rather than unique human beings. Certain foundational skills are necessary to survive but what is necessary to thrive? We hear time and again that schools are failing to educate. Curiosity, the natural birthright of humankind, is often lost as we forget to ground knowledge in the body. We feel fragmented, tense out of touch with our true nature. Disease or at the very least dissatisfaction is the norm.

At a conference in Trieste, Italy a group of teenagers from Liceo Oberdan, a science high school, took the stage to talk about quite a different experience of learning through contact and experience from within in a course offered at their high school," Yoga, Silenzio e Musica." The theme of the conference was "Yoga Ayurveda: Lavoro e Ben Essere" - work and well-being. Thinking of the aphorism 'Work is Love Made Visible' it was heartening to see a broad scope of presentations - both Eastern and Western philosophy, science and medicine. Rather than promoting a particular practice the possibility to learn what's available to support well being was offered: Swami Joytimayananda, the Indian Ayurvedic Doctor who created Yoga Ayurveda centers here in Italy spoke, an Italian doctor who'd given up traditional medicine after turning to Ayurveda for his own health gave a brief presentation of the ties between medical science and ayurvedic principles and an acupuncturist hell-bent on convincing us that we needn't turn to the East for spiritual practice which exist within the framework of our 'European' culture. However, love was truly visible when through nervous laughter teens grouped together behind Professor Alberto Bon described the class offered at Liceo Oberdan, a Science high school. They spoke of their surprise and pleasure finding that yoga is more than exercises, that it helps them live and study better but more than that. One young woman said, "Sometimes I feel afraid of the future. There's so much war and I don't know what will happen. Yoga makes me feel like there's something bigger than me. Yoga gives me hope." A high school gymnasium, like any other gymnasium often a place of competition, has become a sacred space for these kids to explore tools which enhance their sense of well-being.

The site of this conference Museo Revoltella gave stature to an important issue, well being and the work we do both as sustenance and as contribution. Even more so as the Mayor of Trieste sat in the front row, quite a surprise he doesn't seem the type. In fact in his expensive suit and tie he would have stood out even without recognition of his position. Gina Viso, at first glance shy with soft brown hair and eyes of a dove walked up to the platform and her shyness melted into a wonderful glow referring to the wonderful work being done without taking credit for the fact that here in Trieste it is she that provides the center for Yoga Ayurveda Trieste. "Somebody had to be there, to be a constant for it to work," she told me, "I decided to do that. To make that commitment." Her commitment to service is evident in her bearing. Thanking us for attending she introduced "il maestro."

A small Indian man dressed in traditional Indian clothing, a tunic over soft pants, quietly walked up to the platform. After quietly perusing the audience he placed his hands together, bowed, and closed his eyes. "Om bhur bvat svaha, tat savitur vareyn..." Om. Opening his eyes once again he stepped closer to the microphone. "How many of you feel healthy?" Swami Joyamayananda asked. Hands raised. "How many of you love the work you do?" Fewer hands went up. "Benessere e il nostra diretto. Lavoro e il nostra servizio e anche il nostro dirretto. Well-being is our birthright. Work is our service, that which we are given to do we do with love, then we feel well. When we feel well, we are healthy. When we serve, we are happy. What is your service?" he asked with a smile arms outstretched. " Wait a minute.," I thought. " When asked how I am I say 'well'... very well, no just fine thanks, very well... doesn't that mean I'm healthy. How can I feel well if I don't feel healthy? How can I feel well if I don't like doing what I spend the majority of my time and energy doing? These are certainly questions I've asked myself.

Italians are big on formality, quite impressed with stature and roles. "Fare una bella figura" means to make the right impression. I admit to being impressed by the event. Il maestro, Swami Joytimayanda, invited Mayor Dipiazza to the platform. "People ask me what's my secret, " the mayor shared with a conspiratorial twinkle in his eye. "My job is difficult. You might say demanding, people are constantly asking me for something. Lots of people think I take something, you know, drugs or something to have the energy to do everything. In fact, I let go of something. I learn to clear my mind . For an hour a week I clear my mind and I feel renewed. That's my secret." Powerful words coming from a politician who is generally known for being a sharp businessman, even slick as he slides in and out of the limelight, so much for judging by appearances!

When asked how on earth she got the city to sponsor this event Gina replied, "We make it a policy, no matter who comes here not to ask for anything. The mayor suggested this conference, " I think people should know about this, " he said. "This is what I can offer, what can you do?" And so the commune presented the first Yoga Ayurveda conference organized by the Joytinat Center. Gina in her own quiet way has a talent for getting things done.

The liceo project began three years ago when Gina, President of Yoga Ayurveda Trieste approached Alberto Bon, professor of mathematics at Liceo Oberdan and said, "We want to do something in the high school. Can you help? Professor Bon, a long time yoga practitioner himself responded with an enthusiastic "Yes!" and so this labor of love began. The director of the school agreed to make the gymnasium available for this experiment to see if it could help the students do better in their studies. Gina and her associate Gloria provided their services while Prof. Bon stayed 'after school' to help organize the class offered once a week for two hours.

Liceo Oberdan is a 'Science High School" and Prof. Bon teaches physics so it is appropriate to look for a moment at how modern science as it probes ever more deeply into the nature of matter has come to the same conclusion that yogis and other mystics have known for centuries that the world is constantly changing; whether that change is seen as expansion or contraction, creation or destruction, its various forms or parts are interactive, inseparable and in continual movement. There is some principle or guiding force which reflects the whole within each part. Science continues to try and find what that force is through dividing in order to observe even as they admit that the observer becomes part of the experiment, affecting the results. This unknown called by many names, often claimed by individuals or groups to have been found, is far too grand to be understood. Lao Tse said, "That which has a name cannot name the nameless."

However, the yogis tell us that with practice, guidance and a bit of grace this infinite invisible can be felt : as a turtle withdrawing from the world and all its distractions or by experiencing oneself as the ocean from which we're taught all life came forth. Seems that Darwin had something there though the interpretation may have been too literal, evolution is a fact and we all come from that invisible ocean of being through union of opposites into a form which keeps changing. If one is submerged underwater or covers one's ears we here "Om", that deep profound silence from which the world is continually sung into existence.

Gina speaks of both the joy of the process and the deep inner unfoldment that has occurred through shared experience with the teenage participants, having to take down walls and go deeper within themselves in order to provide a safe space for the students. "There are two of us, I present the theory and Gloria, the asana practice. At first it was difficult to break down the walls. The students are so used to going to school where the teacher tells them and they absorb information. They came expecting the same thing and there was that distance. And of course, we had to find out what there was inside each us, as teachers, that kept us separate. So that all became part of the process. Here we practice preparation and discovery, getting closer to ourselves and others. We ask difficult questions without knowing the answer. What does responsibility mean? Who am I? What do I want? What do I need to do? How do I feel? Every year it changes but it's always the same principles: unity, responsibility, well-being for oneself and others, communication. We, Gloria and I, discover with the group how to present things so that each person becomes part of the process and it becomes part of them. There's no you must do this, but rather an invitation to play, to discover, to learn. This year was truly marvelous! When you see the light in these kids eyes, the light of discovery as curiosity becomes linked to principles so that they can each in their own way experience Yoga , well that's it."

Tutto in uno, uno in tutto. Everything is one and that one, manifested individually has within it everything that is. "That's the yoga here in this program, theory and practice all linked together. At least that's the ideal, the theme of responsibility as an individual to find the way to elevate ones self, to rise up higher so that you can see more and to share that vision. When you teach, those who you are teaching tell you what they need if you learn to listen. That's it! If we all learn to listen, to really hear and feel and speak and be. Oh, and not to be forgotten, to play . Playing games is an important part of the experience because then you become open. It's like telling a story to a child, you tell a story and you illustrate the story, you act it out. We explore a concept and we explore how it feels in the body through asana, or through music and or touch. We touch one another, deeply and all of us are changed through the experience. Professor Bon adds, " In order to learn, the heart must be open to recieve." So, with open hearts and minds the Yoga is discovered as it has always been now, in the moment in each individual expression.

This project also proposed to expand into other local high schools, began three years ago when Liceo G. Oberdan partnered with Joytinat Yoga Ayurveda Center through community funding. Participants include staff as well as students. In Italian School where emphasis is on intellectual learning and formally defined roles, it is especially interesting the way this project has developed through shared exploration. The Italian word for sharing, 'condivisione", when translated literally means divide together . Dividing together multiplies or expands the effect and there's always enough if we share - a powerful formula to find inner silence, where revelation and shared experience rather than revolution changes our world. It is a course which as we've seen includes the broader scope of meditation, understanding and practice (Bhakti, Karma, Hatha) as means to explore and find what works best for each individual. In doing so it empowers these teens to seek for themselves. "I get along better with my sister when I remember to take a breath," one young lady shared. "I don't know, it just seems like I have more time . There's so much homework, so much pressure but after Yoga class it all seems possible," another said. Eagerness was evident in each face to express, "It's important that it's here and that we're all together the same age with, you know, the same kind of problems. When we talk about problems and how to apply these things it helps me to know I'm not alone. I feel better about myself." Yet another voice chimes in, "I just love to sing the mantras. I don't know why but afterward, I feel different, quieter, more at peace." Harmony, health, a deep sense of well-being, better concentration and a sense of really finding themselves, that's what is being reported. Who knows what will evolve, a brighter future for us all? Don’t you want to take this course? Better yet, give it.

Samastahdahi.

Jane Pahr