Let Ati Sundhari heal you

My second treasured yogini guest often touches through body wisdom. Here, she reaches with words

Late in the winter of 2013 I was invited to be part of Frank Goodyear and Joel Dinerstein’s American Cool exhibit, at Washington DC’s Smithsonian Institute. I was living in Southeast Portland and weighed nearly 245 pounds. Kicking around my mind was this notion that I’d do my assigned talk without notes and as though freestyled.

The key, I’d learn, was getting on top of the material. And mainlining confidence.

As part of getting my physical shit together in time for the March 2014 appearance I resumed my long-dormant yoga practice. My then-partner and I happened upon Ati Sundhari’s yoga class at the 24-Hour Fitness in Beaverton. I cannot put into words her awesome physical energy. My ex and I would eventually follow this remarkable teacher to the location in Portland’s The Pearl District.

Ati Sundhari

As mentioned in my session with the remarkable Katie Flinn, I’ve learned at the feet of some remarkable practitioners. They’ve inspired me both on and off the mat. Ati may be the most unique. In our journeys since the aforementioned 2010s times in Oregon, we’ve kept track of each other. We nearly connected in LA a couple of years ago, I think.

The Smithsonian gig went great, by the way. The ad lib was bomb and great connections were made. I was a shade over 200 pounds, as memory served. Controlling my body was the precursor to controlling my life.

Turns out that my favorite yoga teacher’s life was in upheaval when we met. It was the start of her big transformation.

I caught up with Ati Sundhari—whom I’ve known for years as Ati Donoso—from Las Vegas earlier this week. She spoke from what I’m pretty sure is a cafe near Guadalajara, Mexico. My time outside of yoga class with the wildly international Chile native has been limited largely to one glorious World Naked Bike Ride, so it’s exciting to have confirmed that my friend’s wisdom isn’t just limited to her body. The bon mots Ati tossed off between pose guidance suggested as much, but yoga class is not like this. Enjoy.