I’m Brad Korpalski, And This Is How I Yoga

Name: Brad Korpalski

Occupation: Co-creator of Pure Immersions, writer, father, Earth warrior

Location: Ubud, Bali

Favorite yoga style: Honestly it depends on the day. Vinyasa and Yin are most commonly practiced styles.

Favorite yoga pose: Ditto. Usually love me a good pigeon pose.

Yoga is…a game changer if fully applied.

What Do You Love Most About Yoga?

The diversity of experience it begets. You can have a purely physical experience with yoga but you can also completely shift your worldview, or “get enlightened” as it were.

How Has Yoga Changed Your Life, Personality And Physique?

When I’m consistenly practicing yoga I’m much more prepared for everyday life—I guess you could say I’m stronger and more flexible in both mind and body.

What Everyday Things Did You Get Better At Because Of Yoga?

Dealing with adversity—everyday “life stuff”. Also, yoga really helped expand my sense of what’s real. It was one of the main initiators for me to begin to peel back the layers of myself and understand things differently.

How Do You Keep Your Yoga Practice Interesting And Challenging?

I’ll be honest—I’m not a "hardcore" practitioner, so in that regard I don’t have to “work” to keep yoga feeling fresh and interesting…it just naturally assumes those qualities due to my level of practice.

What Book, Website Or Person Inspires You?

A favorite book is “The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible” by Charles Eisenstein…but that doesn’t fully answer the question. I receive inspiration non-discriminately—sometimes from the most unlikely of sources—like an annoying trip to the bank or an ordeal within a relationship.

I do tend to be inspired by people that demonstrate a groundedness and a level of authenticity and contentment. As for websites, I love the Wait But Why blog. Intellectual and hilarious. Humor’s important.

Which Yoga Pose Challenges You the Most?

Pinchamayurasana. Oh the shoulders. The freaking shoulders.

What are Your Go-To Yoga Poses When You’re Stressed or In Need of an Energy Boost?

Anything that turns me upside down.

What Do You Listen To When You Practice Yoga?

Completely mood-specific. When I started practicing yoga, I didn’t see how music fit in…but I’ve since opened up to it because like I mentioned—the diversity of yoga is one the qualities I love the most.

Sometimes I need to move my body around while bouncing to a good beat. Other times I only want to hear my breath or birds chirping.

What’s The Best Advice You’ve Ever Received?

Know thyself.

What’s Your #1 Piece of Advice for Those Just Starting Their Yoga Practice?

Yoga doesn’t follow the same gradient as other skill disciplines like carpentry or golf. It’s not about becoming an expert, so to compare yourself to others and long for a “better practice” is to miss the point.

The entire purpose of yoga is to realize truth and know who you are. With that in mind, the “goal” is attainable in any given moment—whether it’s your first day or you’ve been practicing for 20 years—the same opportunity exists.

Website: www.pureimmersions.com

Facebook: Pure Immersions

Twitter: PImmersions