Page 207 - Adhiyoga Purana

Dr. Hannes Mayer – Specialist in Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Yoga Teacher, Child of Nature – Villach, Austria
Sometimes the most transformative encounters begin in the most unexpected ways. For Dr. Hannes Mayer, it all started with a book on AcroYoga from a renowned Barcelona school. In its very first chapter, the Yoga philosophy was explained with a simplicity and clarity unlike anything he had read before. There, he found mention of Adhiyogi — described as a friend and teacher of the authors, and the creator of a unique Sutra-style text written for modern yoga practitioners.
Intrigued, Hannes reached out, not knowing where this path might lead. Weeks later, to his astonishment, Adhiyogi agreed to travel to Austria to teach him in person. It seemed almost unbelievable at first — but it happened. Soon, Adhiyogi was in Hannes’ home, and they embarked on four intense weeks of training in yoga philosophy and asana practice.
It was not always easy — balancing this deep immersion with the responsibilities of being a husband and father of three — but the experience was nothing short of life-changing. Adhiyogi’s way of teaching was quite different from the Western style of yoga Hannes had encountered in his 200-hour Teacher Training in Austria. Yet, this difference was precisely what made it so profound.
The point system in asana practice, the refined guidance into meditation, and the clear, logical approach to philosophy began to transform his understanding. Adhiyogi planted a seed of knowledge that continues to grow in Hannes’ daily practice — a seed that would enrich not only his own journey but also the classes he teaches.
Their collaboration did not end with the training. Recognizing Hannes’ linguistic skill and insight, Adhiyogi entrusted him with translating part of the Adhiyoga Sutras into German and completing the final edits — a task Hannes completed with care just days ago. Next came the translation of The Patanjali Code. During the translation process, layers of wisdom revealed themselves, each offering guidance for life and teaching.
Hannes found in Adhiyogi’s work a perfect union: the depth and authenticity of classical yoga seamlessly blended with approaches suited for contemporary life. Beyond the content itself, what touched him deeply was Adhiyogi’s selfless and friendly way of treating him — not just as a student, but as a respected collaborator.
Now, Hannes’ focus is on integrating this vast body of knowledge into his daily life. He is in no rush — he knows that in yoga, as in life, there is a time when everything unfolds naturally. For him, the seed planted in those four weeks with Adhiyogi will continue to grow, and when the moment is right, it will blossom into deeper practices, further learning, and new levels of self- realization.
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