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Though not religion, yoga can be a spiritual path with a plethora of styles, including techniques and wisdom shared through a lineage of gurus (teach-ers). Urbano trained with Sri Dharma Mittra (Dhar-ma) of New York who inspires others to discover

their inner strength, clarity and divinity. Dharma studied under guru Swami Kailashananda (one of the first to bring Hatha Yoga to America), and was initiated as a sannyasi (renouncing worldly/materialistic pursuits to devote himself to spiritual realization). Now in his 70’s, he still teaches five days a week. The Dharma Yoga practice includes physical asanas (poses) with focus on diet, meditation and pranayama (breathwork). Students are taught compassion for all liv-ing things and various mantras/prayers said to be helpful for uniting everyone as equals, removing ego and opening

hearts. “Be Receptive” is an oft-mentioned reminder for opening doors, incurring equilibrium, and helping practitioners go inward to develop compassion. Hectic schedules can prevent people from having sufficient ‘me-time,’ peacefulness, or a place for spiritual development. Urbano sees Dharma Yoga practice as ground-ing, “a meditation that enhances one’s appreciation for the present moment in a way in which time is not taken for granted but felt for the true gift of life that it is.” Dharma Yoga’s specifically designed Vinyasa classes start with gentle/restorative on up through level four. The postures, when practiced consistently, move students toward the next level. Sequences help enable practitioners to work with their own body weight in virtually any position. They increase range of motion and flexibility. Practices are done on left

side and right, creating balance on all levels. Dharma Yoga teachers encourage self-knowledge and awareness. They guide students to: refrain from shallow breathing, instead filling lungs with breath to oxygenate the blood and brain and renew energy; maintain breath during asanas (“lose breath–lose the posture”); and, know when to use props for support. Teachers help students master poses initially thought impossible. According to Urbano “We are taught that there is a starting place. That no one should be standing there saying ‘I can’t do that–what about me?’ Every posture can be broken down to its starting place and likewise be expanded infinitely.”

Even as a boy, Urbano was intrigued with ways he could move his body-flips, jumps, etc. “Intuitively I have been stretching my whole life, physically making the most of my waking day. If in a grocery store waiting in line I would be the one in a squat or practicing standing toe balance.” He turned to martial arts to learn more. “I was a six foot tall boy who could dunk a basketball, fly through the air breaking boards and more.” At college in 1974, he couldn’t find a martial arts studio he liked so tried yoga, “which just con-

firmed that what I had been doing all my life, the playful behavior, those feelings and insights, were a part of my true self.” Returning to martial arts, he ulti-mately earned a heavy-weight silver medal in Connecticut’s Tae Kwon Do tournament. As for his yoga practice, he

discovered Dharma at a Kripalu workshop in 2006 and never looked back. “I did not know anything about him other than the write up in the magazine, but it changed my life for the better.” He has since completed 200-hour and 500-hour yoga trainings. A site contractor conducting earth work excavation, demolition, and more, Urbano, nicknamed “Zen Demolition Man” by peers, shares that his fellow workers claim yoga has taken “a wound-too-tight guy” and made him more bearable. Dharma Yoga Center of Connecticut’s state-of-the-art studio includes heated bamboo flooring. Classes, open to students of all ages in Dharma Yoga levels I-IV, and Range

and Motion (all levels), are held Monday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 9 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. Teachers include Urbano, Spencer Green, Matan Cohen-Citron, and Rudenya “Rudy” Babouder-Matta. Hailing from diverse backgrounds, each has practiced various yoga styles with renowned teachers. All focus on providing a fun, supportive, caring, individual approach to their students. Gift certificates are available, as are private sessions and group classes of four or more. Dharma Yoga is one of a multitude of yoga styles and Urbano encourages meeting and learning more about Dharma, his New York studios, teachings, and class offer-ings. He adds that yoga is accessible to anyone open to a healthier lifestyle. “The beauty of the practice is we are all born into it. We all come into the world in our purest form. Our first action is one of pranayama (our first breath). From there we stretch and move, develop our various postures that move us along…our first headstand, neck stretch, down dog, split or savasana. There was no teacher involved, only our inner true self, our spirit guides and intuition.” He asserts some call what happens next progress, advancement, luxury or innovation. To him it’s regression. “We start doing less, or perhaps the same limited movements, everyday. Whether you’re injured, disabled, overweight or just lazy the secret to starting is the same…‘little by little.’ What we once had we need to get back slowly and safely. Eventually with a goal of practicing a minimum of three times a week you will see that you are becoming that child again.” Dharma Yoga Center of Connecticut’s location: 206 Boston Post Road in Orange, CT, 203.815.6013, dharmayogaofct.com. Dharma’s NY studios/teacher training: Dharmayogacenter.com. See ad on page 9.

with Tony Urbano by Nancy Cohen

DHARMA YOGA

“The greatest teacher is within your heart.” Sri Dharma Mittra

Urbano sees Dharma Yoga practice as grounding. “A meditation that

enhances one’s appreciation for the present moment in a way in which time is not taken for granted but felt

for the true gift of life that it is.”

It has only been in the last 50 or so years that the ancient tradition of yoga has become a practice of choice for many Americans seeking well-being. Tony Urbano, founder and owner of Dharma Yoga Center of Connecticut, explains “Yoga is about opening your heart, mind and joints. It’s about emotional, mental and physical flexibility. It can calm you, bring you peace, confidence and strength. It can stir you up, helping facilitate the removal of stale energy and past traumas.”

Tony Urbano and Sri Dharma Mittra