Comments on: John Friend’s response to the New York Times article

By: barking dogs

barking dogs — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:39:59 +0000

barking dogs…

I didn’t realise there were so many articles online about John Friend’s response to the New York Times article ” John …, it’s great to see that barking dogs is recognised as serious subject….

By: barking dogs

barking dogs — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:38:33 +0000

barking dogs…

We all talk far too much, especially now we can like this, virtually anonymous ranting! I don’t think John Friend’s response to the New York Times article ” John … fits in to that category but I’m coming across more and more that are while I’m …

By: barking dogs

barking dogs — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:38:08 +0000

barking dogs…

On Friday I met up with some friends who knew very little about barking dogs, I was quite surprised by this as its a widely discussed topic on the net. I challenged them to go home, do a search and then tell me they don’t know anything!…

By: Mariela Cruz

Mariela Cruz — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:33:52 +0000

Thanks, John, for your clarification and wisdom. No wonder the journalist is not a yogini and we can never expect someone from outside to understand the practice and the philosophy. But we have a saying in spanish: don´t worry, Sancho Panza, the dogs are barking, sign that we are advancing…by Don Quijote.
Namasté

By: Sarala Troy

Sarala Troy — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:01:29 +0000

I have known John Friend since 1989 (21 years) and was actually there in the ashram in India when he did his beautiful hatha yoga demonstration on that rickety platform. He was the very same kind, humble, intelligent, generous and light-hearted person that he is now as a global leader in the art and beauty of yoga.
I was head of the hatha yoga department at that thime and had been teaching Iyengar Yoga for l5 years already. I had the great privilege of practicing daily with him, taking his workshops and observing him while he offered yoga therapy to people with weakness, pain or injury. He did it all with the utmost sense of caring and delight. His work ethic was unbelievable as he wored tirelessly work with no ulterior motive but simply to “serve” others. That was his greatest joy.
Hi intention then, as it is now, was never for financial gain-although it doesn;t surprise me that so many people want to support the growth of Anusara Yoga. I know i could never pay John enough for what i have received from this practice. You used the words “commercialized for his own gain”; drumming up business” and “selling his American cocktail” and this is so frar from the truth of who he is. It breaks my heart to hear you “spin things” to make it sound jucier for your own gain.
And john didn’t “pick the right time” to start Anusara Yoga. It was the result of decades of study, hard work, and practices that got him in touch with his “divine nature” and not his “entreprenurialnature”.
And to disrespect John’s integrity by mentioning that he is divorced along with “woman passing him hotel keys in his workshops” insinuates something that is so out of character form his moral values. I think you owe him an apology for misrepresenting him in this way.
And in the end, it is not about John. It’s about a practice that is life enhancing. Whether you like John’s hula-hooping outrageous playfulness of his unwavering devotion to the good of mankind–it doesn’t matter. You can go home and practice these Universal Principles on or off the mat. And then ever YOU might end up buying a license plate that says “MAGIC”.
Respectfully, Sarala Troy
Honored to be a Certified Anusara Instructor

By: Veda Ela

Veda Ela — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:18:29 +0000

This letter from our dear John Friend comes out the dignity ,clarity and Grace that only a devote to the essence of Yoga on and off the mat can speak from!
Sat Nam,
Guahe Guru!
Veda Ela

By: Brian Kaye

Brian Kaye — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:52:07 +0000

Dear John,
I want to congratulate you on being profiled in the New York Times Magazine and for your eloquent response to an article that was slightly skewed for its own purposes. Your clarification of specific falsehoods is commendable and valuable. Fortunately, I read many articles with a critical eye since I’m aware of the ‘angle’ that is often presented by media as I have also been misquoted. Your response maintains the beauty of our practice and confirms the ‘attitude’ that is required to be a true yogi. Thank you. With gratitude, BK

By: Margunn

Margunn — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:21:46 +0000

Namaste

By: Laura Stadler-Jensen

Laura Stadler-Jensen — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:18:23 +0000

John — With a little over 15 years of experience in PR, and experience with the NYT, I can say this is unfortunately regular practice. That’s why it’s so key to have your messages ready and are super careful about EVERYTHING you expose. Reporters are not your friends. Sad but true. You are right that the journalist skewed the story with a certain flavor as to perhaps knock you back down to earth. It’s not really their job but they see it as such, I’m afraid. Overall, the article is VERY positive. That’s how you must look at it. And while yes, the article does hage “legs,” it’s the positive aspect of the article that people will “take away.” The bit about the key passing did surprise me and puzzle me so it’s good you clarified that. If that is not true, I suggest you confront the paper — go to the managing editor (higher up), and ask for either a correction or maybe a furture article to even the score. They need to be policed as well and it seems this reporter was playing a bit too close to the edge on that one and on some of the other statements and innuendos. I’m afraid you can’t do much on being accused of being too commerical, it is a business after all.

By: ClaireMurphy737

ClaireMurphy737 — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:53:57 +0000

Touche John!
As always you speak with honesty and integrity - the John I certainly know. You continue to have my support because the truth of my experience is that Anusara opens my heart.

Many blessings and love

Claire Murphy
UK