Page 85 - Adhiyoga Purana

Healing Through Harmony:
The Journey of John Kovac, the Harpmaker
In the serene hills of Front Royal, Virginia, lived John Kovac — a master harpmaker and professional harpist whose life was intricately woven with strings of melody and craftsmanship. For years, he had dedicated himself to the art of creating and playing the harp, an instrument of subtle grace and profound beauty. Yet, even as his music flowed effortlessly, his body began to betray him.
John suffered from a severe case of sciatica. The pain was relentless, and no avenue seemed to bring lasting relief. He tried acupuncture, but it failed. Chiropractics offered some benefit, but the root of the pain remained. That was when John turned to Yoga — specifically, to the guidance of a teacher named Adhiyogi, whose reputation had quietly spread across Virginia.
Unlike the bustling, competitive classes he had previously attended at health clubs for three years — where he often felt intimidated by those more flexible or advanced — Adhiyogi offered something different: an intimate, personalized approach rooted in classical yogic wisdom.
From the first session, John sensed a shift. Adhiyogi didn’t overwhelm him with a complex series of poses. Instead, he provided just a few simple, relaxed stretches, encouraging John to focus on form, breath, and internal awareness. “Do them well,” Adhiyogi would say. The approach was gentle, yet powerful. John was guided not just in movement, but in mindfulness. He felt he was being taken back to the very foundations of Yoga — and through this return to basics, healing began.
In time, John’s sciatica pain diminished significantly. For the first time in years, he could sit, stand, and play his beloved harp without wincing. But the transformation wasn’t only physical. The clarity and calm he experienced through Yoga began to filter into his music. His fingers moved with more sensitivity; his performances carried a deeper resonance.
Adhiyogi had asked him early on: “What do you want from Yoga?” It was not a rhetorical question. John answered honestly — relief from pain, yes, but also an enhancement in his musical expression. The Yoga practice tailored to him addressed both. “It is hard to describe what Yoga does,” John would later say, “because it helps us in so many ways.”
Beyond the relief and inspiration, John came to admire Adhiyogi’s unwavering commitment to the discipline. “This is not just a part-time thing with him,” he noted. “Adhiyogi has clearly devoted his life to Yoga — he really knows what he is doing.”
By 2003, two years into this journey, John had found not just recovery, but enrichment — in body, in mind, and in music. His gratitude turned into advocacy: “I would highly and unreservedly recommend Adhiyogi to anyone — whether a beginner or someone seeking to go deeper. He has the knowledge, presence, and insight to guide you there.”
85