Cv for Randall O’Leary/ Ram Giri Baba

Born:

Randall Eden O’leary, May 25, 1968, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Education: completed high school, 1986.  Took a bachelor of arts degree in African Literature and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, 1991.

Yoga History: 

I began learning yoga in 1991 at an Iyengar studio in Madison, WI. and studied there on and off for 3-4 years with Faith Russel and Rodger Ichens, (now deceased.)  Early on, I had developed a self practice which I continue to this day.  Around 1991 I moved to Seattle and took teachings from Felicity Green, senior Iyengar instructor, both in public classes and private work.  With her I completed a 20 hour course in teacher training, about 1994.  In 1996 I went to Maui and got involved with Viniyoga and the head American teacher, Gary Kraftsow.  I studied with him in America and Hawaii’i and completed the first ten day section of a longer Viniyoga teacher training, around 1997.  After this, my involvement with yoga became deeper, but also began to shift to other areas of study besides the western focus of asana and sticky mat work.  These areas will be outlined below.

Personal work:

  I developed a strong personal practice very early on in my yoga career, and reached a point in 1997-99 where I was practicing yoga 3-4 hours daily, teaching and doing Taoist marital arts as well. I attained comfortable mastery of most of the intermediate and many advanced poses and practices by this time. I feel that my greatest lessons in yoga were learned in this self- practice (and even into today), much more so than in any trainings, classes or books.  Most of my knowledge draws from my personal experiences in yoga practice and not theory or rhetoric.

  As I stated above, I also studied Tai chi (Taoist martial arts and meditation) while i cultivated my yoga. Elements of the Taoist yogas also come into my teachings at times, due to my transformational experiences in that art. I continue to practice tai chi to this day, but sadly less than before. Many of the concepts that form the core of tai chi also have profound relevance to tantric yoga, as their origins are linked to the same sources! I teach some tai chi work during the teacher trainings as support for the work in the yoga.

  The yoga also brought me towards deeper levels of learning and interest in related areas.  I began studies on the Yoga Sutras, Samkhya and Tantric philosophy; I gained a basic working knowledge of Ayurveda as well, and incorporated these ideas into my teachings.  These interests led me to learn some sanskrit, which I can now both read and write, to a limited degree.   I gained a basic understanding of Jyotish (Vedic astrology) as well and have in the last few years learned Hindi, both spoken and written.

  Interest in Yoga led me to India in 1992, and I have been a visitor almost yearly ever since, sometimes twice yearly.  Through many trips there I deepened my relationship with the source of yoga, India.  I have studied and practiced all around that vast country and finally met a Sadhu in 2000 by the name of Amargiri Nagababa, who has taken me as a 'chela' or student.  Through him I have learnt Hindi, Mantra vidya, Tantric ritual and many interesting and unusual things about spirituality and life.  In 2006 I took diksha (initiation) as a Sadhu of the Giri sampradaya.  This has given me an entry into elements of the deeper Indian spirituality which is very difficult of access, knowledge of which has benefited me immensely.  I continue to visit India and my Guru as often as possible.

  I completed a 500 hour yoga teacher training in 2006 with Yoga Arts, Byron Bay, Australia. In 2008 I applied for and was accepted as a certified school of yoga, now called Jungleyoga Ashram. Certificates that are issued through that body are recognized as valid in many parts of the globe, as well as being scorned and mocked in others! Ha ha ha ha ha!!!

I continue to learn, practice and refine my yoga as the years go by. The Jungleyoga style is always growing and changing as i learn and experience new things..

Teaching Experience:

Randall began teaching yoga at an ashram in India, but only for a short time, around 1996.  I then took a job with 8 Limbs Yoga in Seattle, Washington, USA around the same time.  I taught for them for a few years and also worked at Samadhi Yoga (same city) from 1998, while still continuing to travel to Asia (India and Thailand).
I also taught around Seattle, at Starbucks Java Gym, Ganesh Yoga, Jai Yoga and other schools now defunct.  I also taught private lessons at Traver Art Gallery.  The most influential job that I have had (and currently hold) is that of Director of Yoga for the Sanctuary resort, Haad Tien, Ko Phangan, Thailand.  This post I have held every winter for over a decade, teaching daily classes for 10-30 students and running two workshops each winter, one 5 day and one 10 day.  This is where I have gained the most valuable teaching experience, learning to teach many levels of students all at the same time, and to present a yoga experience that all can access.  It is during the last years that I have developed a style uniquely mine, that is at the same time intense, safe and classical.  I hope to publish a small book on the sequences soon.

January 2008 saw Jungleyoga run the first official 'Teacher Training Intensive' in Thailand. We had 7 top quality students and by all accounts it was a full success! Great fun was had by all and we learned a think or two as well. I ran classes in Tanzania as well as Ireland and Holland.

January 2009: we did another Training, even better than the last one! A great success where everyone learned loads and did good, solid yoga. This year i have taught workshops in Germany, Holland, Greece, Swizerland and Danmark.

Style:

The particular style of  yoga that Randall has synthesized is called Jungleyoga.  It is called this mainly because it was born, and lives often in, the jungles of the world.  In hindi, ‘jungle’ simply means ‘forest’!   The work addresses modern practice methods of yoga while staying true to some of the deeper practices of  the classical yogas.  Strong physical work on the mat is one element, but always in balance.  Equally important is work on the energetic body through the breath and meditations, which can take many forms.  One of the more unique features of Jungleyoga is the work of harmonizing breath with the rest of the practice, thus taking a step towards the more subtle layers of the being and not concentrating solely on the physical.  This breathwork generally manifests as combinations of breath in conjunction with movements into and out of the postures, creating a situation where asana can be practiced at the same time as pranayama.  Two in one!

  Randall also has a deep interest in the more classical aspect of yoga, including philosophy, tantra, sanskrit, myths, symbols and ritual.  Elements of all these things ebb and flow through the practices so that the yoga on the mat becomes something deeper.  By bringing in elements connected to the deeper spirituality of yoga the work broadens and widens; the practices take on the true meaning of yoga: unity.

  Still, this philosophical work is non-faith based and does not challenge any beliefs held by students, it is universal and applies equally to all- regardless  of religion or faith.  Once one understands the deeper meanings behind the practices, suddenly the yoga has a much deeper inner impact and potential for transformation and can be applied to all situations in life.
  This is not to say, however, that the classes are at all dry or heavy.  Probably the most important teaching tool of all is humor and fun.  Even though the classes demand presence and attention they are not without a few hearty belly laughs.  No matter how hard we try and no matter what our intentions are, we still need to learn to laugh at ourselves and do our best with a smile in our hearts.  This is the true goal of Jungleyoga!  Love!

When I decided to start the yoga school, i searched for a name which helped to convey the spirit of the school. I settled on the name 'Jungleyoga Ashram' for it. Most people think of an ashram as a building or organization which is of a spiritual nature. Another meaning of the word 'ashram' was meant when i named the school, for at present it has no physical home. Instead, i wanted the name to convey a feeling of family or support between people within it. In this case 'ashram' means 'refuge' and Jungleyoga ashram is a refuge for people to find connection, community, support and just what it means: refuge. Our refuge is with each other, in the people that we know; yoga can only exist because people come together to share it! Yoga is our 'refuge' from the imbalanced life of 'normal' society...

Most recently the work has be focusing on certain aspect of the core power in the body. The early parts of the practice work with breath rhythms and depth and gradually move into the strengthening and connection with the physical core. This means, in essence, the belly muscles, lower back muscles, deep leg muscles and the establishment of balance. Since time to practice yoga in modern life is limited, we try to dive into the most important elements of the yoga system.

History of Jungleyoga:

Randall began running the program called Jungleyoga in Thailand (at The Sanctuary) in the mid-1990’s, and slowly over time it developed into a complete system of yoga practice.  Throughout the years Randall has been constantly refining  and reworking the practice of poses, breaths and meditation so that they are more effective for transformation and transcendence.  Every year the teaching changes and refines (and the jokes get better!) as understanding grows. Gradually Randall began to do longer programs and workshops and conduct individual trainings for long-term students. Some students have been studying Jungleyoga for 10 years or more, and they form the core of the Jungleyoga system. Finally, in 2008, students demanded a certified teacher training, which was organized and ran for the first time in January, 2008, and another in 2009. More of these trainings are planned for the future.

As i have taught over the years, i have realized that i hold breath as the most important single focus in yoga .Gradually, i have refined ideas i got from Gary Kraftsow (who got them from Desikachar and Krishnamacharya) and developed what i call the Swara Cycles. These movement cycles were taken from the teachings of those i just mentioned... but i have refined them and made them my own, utilizing them in ways noone ever taught me. The combinations of breath and movement takes a greater importance every year i teach. I cannot find anything which is more effective and easy to do (but not necessarily easy, they can be some of the most difficult postures to do well).

The deepest influences on the work have been Randall's study with Sadhus in India, his exploration of Tantra in its many forms, and the yoga of Sri Sri Krishnamacharya. The system keeps re-inventing itself; or better yet, it is built upon the ashes of what i was doing before. Every year i seem to change my focus somewhat because i have had new realizations about yoga practice. I do now know how the system will progress, but every year it gets stronger and more definite in its purpose. In 2009, for example, i was focusing on core-strengthening movements and plenty of Swara Cycles.

Who knows what 2010 will hold? I can't wait to find out!! OM Shanti