In November of 2024, Theo Kipnis walked into the studio and has since become a familiar face at many Yoga4All classes. After class, we usually gather for some yogi tea, where we might discuss the class or any topic that comes up. During these moments, Theo’s perceptive inputs or thoughtful questions reflect his innate curiosity and sensitivity. His demeanor is kind and supportive, making him a valued member of our community.
Recently, I had the pleasure of learning more about Theo. He is a self-employed marketing consultant, primarily working with software companies. Theo enjoys the diversity of his work, communicating with various clients, learning about new technologies and markets, and solving problems. His recent work with the community health sector in Tucson resonated deeply with him, as he felt they were aligned with his values and objectives.
When asked about the benefits of kundalini yoga, Theo shared that it helps him feel grounded, bringing clarity, energy, and motivation in a way that hatha yoga or general exercise does not. Theo, being generally optimistic and open to new experiences, finds that when he might be feeling stuck in worry or doubt, kundalini yoga helps clear away the cloudiness of the mind and psyche. He likens life without kundalini yoga to a remote-control car that drives straight until it bumps into something, then to move forward, the car must reverse while turning, then once more, the car sets off straight ahead until it is blocked again. In contrast, kundalini yoga helps him see and respond to what’s ahead in life and make active choices about the direction he wants to take before obstructions block his way.
Theo always had a curiosity about spiritual growth. At the age of seventeen, he had the fortune to receive a series of massage sessions from Jeff Small, aka Nambir, well-known to our sangha as a healer and long-time kundalini yoga practitioner. During these sessions, Nambir shared his wisdom and experiences of all things spiritual, including kundalini serpent energy. This early exposure planted a seed of interest in Theo.
At twenty, when Theo moved to Washington, D.C., a flyer for kundalini yoga classes at the Ashram caught his eye. Despite never having attended a yoga class before, he decided to give it a try. Initially skeptical but open, Theo soon had his first powerful experience. In the class, it was announced that the exercises were to be for three minutes each. Theo recalls sitting with his hands in Ravi mudra, ring finger and thumb tips touching. The exercise called for circling the hands in front of the head. While he had initially dismissed the posture and movement as “not seeming like exercise,” when the teacher announced that one minute had passed, Theo saw that something was happening. He felt an intimidating surge of energy and realized that the remaining two minutes were going to be intense and challenging. When the exercise was over, he felt powerfully energized. From then on, whenever he attended a kundalini class, he felt more intentional, clear-headed, and emotionally buoyant throughout the week.
Today, Theo experiences the same benefits from kundalini yoga and finds it essential to maintain energy and mental clarity amid a distracting world. Unlike anywhere else, it is a practice where he can directly experience himself, independent of external references.
These days, Theo is also excited about his new band. It started last October when he found a guitarist, and now he has a band with seven musicians, including a drummer, two guitarists, a bassist, a keyboard player, a backup singer, and himself as the lead singer. Having majored in music for two years in college, becoming a musician has always been his dream. Theo writes his own songs, creates the melodies, arranges the music, and performs in a theatrical style. On July 31st, Theo’s band August Minotaur played for the first time at Brick Box, featuring six of his songs, each in a different genre. A few of us from Yoga4All sangha enjoyed Theo’s debut performance, along with a crowd of 80 to 100 people, carried by the rhythm and electricity as we cheered Theo and his band. Theo’s songs are poetic, provoking, and satirical, carrying a powerful message. Theo hopes his songs, which reflect his life story, will carry a moral import and inspire people to become better versions of themselves.
