Today we have the infamous Bull Fighting Manuel Ferreira on the show for you. We are delighted that such an old friend would agree to come on to tell us about his life and family growing up in Portugal. It’s literally true that he was a bull fighter, though perhaps just as a student and not so much a professional. He’s an interesting person to sit with as he has lived his life with so much joie du vivre or alegria de viver as one might say in Portuguese.

You may remember him mentioned by his ever ebullient wife Yan Ong, in our podcast with her a few weeks back!

"I am nothing.

The poem above is from Portugal’s most famous poet, Fernando Pessoa, whom Mani’s mother studied in great detail. It says a lot about how a wild, beach loving, Portuguese surf-fanatic could eventually become a dedicated student of Ashtanga yoga.

“I am nothing. I shall never be anything. I cannot even wish to be anything. Apart from this, I have within me all the dreams of the world.” This very well could have been said to Arjuna by Krishna himself.

You will enjoy this sunny afternoon chai stand chat, as old friends reunite again in merriment. How wonderful it would be to sit on surfboards together gazing at the sea, mountains in the distance, the coolness of salt water against our skin.

Needing nothing, wanting nothing, sitting in balance like the arrow on the bow.

A big heart of thanks to our friends, family, and students from around the world, who’ve generously supported this podcast through your comments, sharing, and financial donations. If you’ve enjoyed today’s podcast, please consider supporting our future episodes by making a donation. Every little bit goes a long way and we are immensely grateful for any and all of your support.

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Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here.