Page 75 - Adhiyoga Purana

The Story of Amy Stovsky –
A Devoted Student Turned Accomplished Yoga Teacher
Amy Stovsky, a dedicated yoga practitioner from Arlington, Virginia, first encountered Adhiyogi in 2005, introduced by a respected teacher she already held in high regard. What followed was a deeply enriching student-teacher relationship that spanned over two years and left a profound impact on her personal practice and teaching style.
From her very first classes, Amy recognized that Adhiyogi’s approach was unlike anything she had encountered in her two years of intense yoga training. His method of breaking down asanas into their elemental components helped her access a level of depth and awareness in poses she hadn’t experienced before. She especially appreciated how Adhiyogi guided students to explore just one key element at a time, avoiding overcomplication. This simplicity, she realized, unlocked hidden potential within the postures.
A moment of triumph came in January 2006 when Amy managed, for the first time, to lift into sirsasana (headstand) with straight legs. She credited this breakthrough entirely to Adhiyogi’s precise and focused instruction on one small but powerful adjustment. It was not merely a physical victory; it was a doorway to confidence and inner connection.
By December of that same year, Amy reflected on how Adhiyogi’s classes had become a sanctuary of learning. Despite a packed schedule of studio classes and personal practice, she made time for his weekend sessions at his home, especially during the summers. She found the small class sizes ideal, as they allowed him to offer personalized guidance. His attentiveness, thoughtful answers, and warm demeanor made every class an experience of both physical challenge and spiritual nourishment.
Amy wrote movingly of how her home practice had transformed under Adhiyogi’s influence. She had grown more mindful, focusing more deeply on the breath and the subtle openings that emerged in both body and mind. Even poses not specifically addressed in class began to evolve, simply through her improved awareness.
Though later professional obligations pulled her away from regular attendance, Amy always hoped to return to more frequent classes. By then, she had become a well-known yoga teacher herself in Virginia—one who carried forward the lineage of deep awareness, authenticity, and individualized attention that Adhiyogi exemplified.
In her own words, she called his teaching a “force multiplier,” one that deepened her understanding of both yoga and her. Amy remains a shining example of how a great teacher not only inspires—but transforms.
OM Shantiḥ.
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