Page 46 - SS Magazine - Digital

GIVE THESE DOGS AN OM

JERR Y GOU // BEYOND YOGA

PHOTOGRAPHY: How long have you been practising yoga? reduce mental stress while increasing intensity;
MCGPHOTO I started practising yoga when I was 13. Since then and I get to spend time with my mother.
- it’s been on and off… mostly off, until now.
LOCATION: You pretty much grew up inside a yoga studio.
CALGARY, AB. Movement has always been a very large part of Do you recall the first time you considered
your life. Swimming, wrestling, football, Brazilian teaching?
Jiu-Jitsu, and powerlifting are all high-intensity The short answer is 26. The long answer is that
sports. What about yoga (viewed as more of a I hated working at the studio as an 18-year-
zen/calming practice) attracted you? old. I hated being there, I didn’t have a solid
I think intensity is subjective. You can add as relationship with my mother, and being at the
much or as little as you want even to yoga. What studio wasn’t “cool.” Honestly, I thought I would
yoga has allowed me to do, however, is stay calm never teach. I took training after my ex-fiancée
through the workouts or training and be able ended our relationship at 26—I was lost in so
to reflect upon it after. Having clear eyes and a many ways. I’ve never liked being in front of
full heart, you’ll learn more. To answer “what’s people, and after the breakup I just wanted to
attractive about yoga,” though: it allows me to be hide. Being in the yoga training forced me to be
a better, more well-rounded athlete; it gives me out of my shell, allowed me to grow and heal
flexibility; it teaches the skill of understanding how through a tough time, and I wanted to share that
to be in your body (to be a good “mover”); it helps with other people.

-45-