Yoga is a great way to work on your flexibility and strength. Just about everyone can do it, too — it’s not just for people who can touch their toes or for those who want to meditate.
While there are more than 100 different types, or schools, of yoga, most sessions typically include breathing exercises, meditation, and assuming postures (sometimes called asana or poses) that stretch and flex various muscle groups.
Larry Gawloski, PhiloWilke’s Design Director from 2011-2020 held his final “Yoga with Larry” last Friday. As we say goodbye to Larry and wish him well on his path to enlightenment and retirement in Oregon, we reflect on the lessons he has taught us both in the office and in the yoga studio.
What is your daily work-out routine?
Since our recent move to Oregon, Debbie and I walk Gabby (yellow lab) to one of our neighborhood parks, it has a great view of Mount Hood. It’s about a 3-mile round trip of beautiful Oregon countryside.
I also practice yoga at home by myself. Although, about a month ago we (me and Debbie) got back into the studio. We go about twice a week. People are really good at wearing masks and social distancing. They only operate every other bench, so there’s ample spacing and it’s never more than half full. We have found that wearing a shield is much better if you’re doing either Yoga or Pilates due to the importance of the breathing techniques.
What does your home yoga routine typically consist of?
There are certain poses that I do all the time. Most of the time I get on the floor in the morning, sit cross-legged, and do some mild twist to the right the left and then bend forward extending over one leg then the other. Reaching up high falling over that leg. Those are my go-to stretches and that’s how I start any practice, to get myself grounded.
What is the most important part of yoga for you?
You have to be in the correct mindset to do yoga. If your mind and body are not talking to each other or working at cross purposes, it will be difficult to reach what I call the “mind-body meld” To achieve a successful practice you need to get your breathing under control. That is one of the main components of both Pilates and Yoga, breathing.
If you concentrate on your breath, you’re not thinking about external things you focus and once you get your breathing under control, it becomes rhythmic and becomes a form of meditation.
Do you practice meditation as well?
Sitting in half Lotus, just concentrate on my breathing, that is this meditation. I try to keep my mind clear, avoid the monkey mind. Focus on simple thoughts or no thoughts at all. It is so important to just concentrate on inhaling and exhaling. It really comes down to if you’re stressed out, over something job-related or family, whatever it is if you just take a moment go and find a quiet space and do that. It works wonders, that, and or a glass of wine. I’ve been known to do both at the same time.
Are you taking advantage of the wonderful Oregon climate? Any specific activities?
Fly fishing, which is my go-to sport. There are so many interesting intricacies to it, from how you stand to study the water, you have to match the line and the fly and the leader and everything else to the situation. It’s not just like going out there and throwing out a worm on a hook. The salmon have started to run up the rivers and I’m starting to do some fishing again. The pandemic and fires this summer kept people off the rivers. Now that we’re back to good weather people are starting to show back up on the streams and the rivers.
Are you planning on taking up any new activities in retirement?
I have started taking golf lessons and I must say it is the most frustrating thing I’ve ever done in my life. I can whack a ball 200 yards and then the next time I’ll get up there and I will miss it entirely. I have zero consistency; I have not found the mindset for golf yet.
I am also, thinking about investing in a little camper because there are hundreds if not thousands of places to go camping. We have the Oregon coast and all our neighboring states still to explore that are within a day’s drive. We have scratched the surface the Oregon coast is supposed to be the most beautiful place and you know just the shoreline is supposed to be breathtaking and we barely touched the wine country. Lot’s still to explore.
As Larry starts his new journey, we loved interviewing him and reflecting on all the positivity he brought to the firm as a leader, mentor, and personal confidant. His wine nights and yoga mornings will be missed. He has left a legacy of great design, and we will forever be grateful for his impact on our projects and company culture. Here’s to all the new adventures, Larry! Ohm.
