Interview with John McConnell
May 5th, 2009 by jane jarecki
Since people have been enjoying Hot and Spicy Saturdays at Evolution so much, I sat down with John McConnell, the instructor, to ask a few questions (My questions are shown in bold, John’s answers follow).
What gave you the idea for HOT and SPICY VINYASA with Indian food?
On Valentine’s Day I taught a Hot & Sweaty class that was really fun and had a lot of positive feedback. I thought it would be great to keep it going every month. My idea was the Hot Yoga part, Janet and Susan (Evolution’s studio owner and director) came up with adding the extra flavor of the Spicy part by serving Indian food afterwards. So, Hot & Spicy Yoga was born.
What yoga poses build heat in this class?
Each class is really different and focused on leading to some fun and challenging pose or poses, so the poses vary quite a bit. I’ve been playing music in bands for more than 25 years, so I think of the class a lot like a concert. In playing a concert there is a pacing to the set of music that builds energy and keeps people engaged without getting burned out. In deciding on the poses and sequencing for the Hot & Spicy class I think about it in the same way.
What makes H and S Yoga so fun? Tell us about last month, April 2009.
The intention for the class is for everyone to truly have fun, celebrate and find joy in themselves and whatever they can do — to bring their own special Heat and Spice! Why the class is such a good time is because the students are willling to take my intention to heart…without the students joyful participation the class would end up being a bit on the Cold and Bland side.
As for this last month, the class was wonderful! It was a delight to have a big group of people come out on such a beautiful day. We did some deep twisting along with various arm balances and a whole sequence with one leg lifted — just crazy fun stuff with lots of smiles, along with the groans that accompany people who are pushing their limits. I also put together a unique musical playlist for the classes to go along with the asana sequence, so the music ends up being an integral part of the whole thing.
After the practice a bit more than half the class stayed for dinner. Being able to hang out with people you’ve been practicing with in class is truly a special treat. It’s fascinating to discover the depth of people’s lives outside of their yoga practice.
What is your favorite Indian dish?
I couldn’t say. I’m a vegetarian and all the food served after the class was vegetarian, and I thought it was all great.
If you were food, would you consider yourself a hot dish or a cool raita? (the yogurt dish that can accompany spicy foods in Indian cuisine the way sour cream accomapnies Mexican food)?
80% of the time I’m probably be the hot dish. But, then on those super hot days in the summer when you are desperate to take a swim in the lake, that’s when I have the intention of transforming into cool a raita.