Wong Michael James - Sit Down, Be Quiet: A modern guide to yoga and mindful living

Thorsons

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London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk

First published by Thorsons 2018

FIRST EDITION

Text and photography (except where indicated) Michael James Wong 2018

Cover design by Sim Greenaway HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2018

Cover photograph Nicola Peters

A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library

Michael James Wong asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work

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Source ISBN: 9780008249656

Ebook Edition March 2018 ISBN: 9780008249649

Version 2018-02-01

This book is dedicated to you, your brother,
your dad, your boyfriend, your grandpa,
your teacher, your mate, your homie, your
BOYS and any guy ready to step into a more
mindful way of living.

Now is the time to begin.

boysofyoga.com

@boysofyoga

CONTENTS

To my son, and all the boys out there.

When you were younger you were a joy to be around. As you got older there were times your mother and I thought otherwise. But it didnt mean we ever stopped loving you. You were just growing up and figuring out who you wanted to be.

In the years that followed you were eager to learn more: about yourself, your family, your home, your community and how life worked when you had a little more time to experience it. There were good times, and times that didnt go exactly to plan. And thats ok, its how life is supposed to be.

Parenting in any form is not an easy job and, like life, there is no roadmap. But I think we did alright. Our approach was simple; we encouraged you to have an open mind and a big heart and to understand that the world is a far nicer place when its greeted with a hug or a high five. As your parents, we showed you life through the lens of our family, but allowed you the freedom to choose how you wanted to live and who you wanted to become.

We raised you to know that you are always more than enough.

We are from a different generation, and our greatest fear was that you would end up too much like us outdated, behind the times and with an unwillingness to learn and grow with the ever-changing world.

Always remember to take risks, tell people you love them and say it like you mean it. Youve only got one shot at this thing called life make sure you live it to the fullest.

My wish is that this book opens the minds of more men of all ages to take to the mat, to become yogis of the future, for their own good and wellbeing. Since you started yoga, Ive learned that its not a casual pastime and its not just something to make you more flexible, or calm your temper; its the full package a lifestyle and a wonderful, fulfilling and healthy way of living.

Its something I wish I had known more about when I was younger and Im sure your mother would agree.

Im extremely inspired by what you do, who you have become and your willingness to always stay true to your intentions. Never compromise on the things that make you happy, just keep smiling and enjoy the ride.

Lots of love

Dad

P.S. Dont forget to call your mum.

(Graham C. Wong, Santa Monica, California)

Yancy Scott Schwartz

To most guys yoga is pink Lycra and vegan chicks. Its breathing deeply while doing poses named after animals and feelings. Its done in dimly lit rooms with candles and incense, followed by gluten-free cupcakes and kale smoothies. And if thats your mentality, then youre not alone.

But it doesnt mean youre right. The real practice of yoga is working in, not working out. There is a lot more to it than just making shapes on the mat, and over time the body will get stronger and more flexible, the mind calmer and daily life will feel a little less chaotic. Yoga can give you the physical workout you want, but go deeper and youll realise its so much more.

SMASH THE STEREOTYPE AND GET MORE GUYS ON THE MAT

Unfortunately, these days the perception is still one-dimensional. Magazine pages and Instagram feeds are flooded with bikini-clad girls on the beach in all kinds of acrobatic poses reminiscent of the circus. Is this yoga? Yes, but its not the full picture. Take one step back and widen your perspective and youll see there is a whole other breed of yogi out there, the BOYS, inspiring, teaching and living yoga in their communities all around the world.

This is BOYS OF YOGA, the uncelebrated minority. A project aimed at sharing a different side of the yoga community in an authentic and unfiltered way.

What started as a casual conversation about guys being under-represented in the modern yoga community has turned into a movement to challenge the way we view and practise yoga in the Western world today.

The aim is simple: smash the stereotypes of yoga for guys and share the benefits that the practice offers both on and off the mat.

With inspiring stories and experiences shared by male yogis from around the world, this is a movement to change the world for the better. Its pretty simple: yoga is good for everyone and the benefits are undeniable.

Now is the time to get involved.

Find out more at boysofyoga.com @boysofyoga

Hi, Im Michael James Wong. Global Yogi, Wellness Warrior and founder of BOYS OF YOGA.

But before all of this, I was just a boy who was born in New Zealand and grew up on the beaches of Santa Monica, California. I was from a place no one had heard of until the Lord of the Rings movies and, growing up as an immigrant, I just wanted to fit in and belong.

In those days most of the other kids thought New Zealand and Madagascar were the same country (remember, this was before wifi and Facebook). On a good day, they assumed New Zealand was part of Australia. Growing up in LA, some kids looked at me as if I was from a distant planet and teased me because I had a resident alien card in my wallet that my mom made me carry around to prove I was allowed to live in the US.

At the time, I lacked confidence and identity. I wasnt American (I didnt get my citizenship until I was 16) and I didnt feel Kiwi (I didnt have the accent and only visited once a year during the holidays). Im also Chinese-Asian, something that I battled with growing up because it made life more confusing. I had the surname, but no ties to the culture or country other than weekend dinners and select colloquialisms. I was a bit from everywhere, and at the time I felt like I didnt belong anywhere. As a kid that was tough. But looking back I can see that it made me who I am today, and has allowed me to live the life I have now. And for that Im forever grateful.