Interview - Arthur J. Howard

A.J. grew up in Rockaway, NJ, Erie, Pa, Columbus, Oh, Newton, NJ. Needless to say, he moved around a lot as a kid, so maybe that's why he has resided in Baltimore for 19 years.  For the past 5 of those, A.J. and his partner, Kenneth, have lived in Lauraville.

When AJ graduated from Montclair State College, he got his first "real job" as a Woodworking and Design Teacher at Gilman, and moved to the Baltimore area for work.  He has been there ever since for many reasons: it's fun and always interesting; not to mention that there are good kids to work with who are ready and willing to learn, as well as great co-workers.  A.J. is "Lord of the Shoppe", teaching the required woodworking and design courses. What he and his students love most is his Guitar Building Class.  He shared with me that he had recently received a call from a parent of an alumni who chided him by saying, "I don't know whether to tell you I love you or I hate you because my son is STILL playing the same guitar he made with you several years ago...."  Some of A.J.'s other interests include, of course, music--as well as reading, travel, cooking. (When I interviewed him, he neglected to mention that he can fix just about anything from a car to a computer to an old antique table.)

So why would a woodworker from a boys prep school be interested in yoga?  Because like ALL of us, he is getting OLDER and wiser, not to mention that he also has developed a stiff back, arms, feet, etc. Besides all of that, A.J. realized with all of the nonstop activity which goes on during the school /work day; he needed a little "ME TIME".  What better place to discover oneself than at Susquehanna Yoga?  According to A.J., he "fell in love with the studio the minute he saw it, and the people seemed really nice, too".

One of the main reasons A.J. continues on with yoga is because of the quality of the instruction at Susquehanna Yoga.  As an educator himself, he cannot help but notice how his Monday night teacher, Eric Reid, individualizes the asanas so that they are beneficial to all.  "Eric has a very good blend of yoga balanced with a deep philosophical side."  His awareness relates to his teaching techniques: he lets his students ask questions, he never shows off his expertise, but when he demonstrates---Eric can REALLY do the asanas.

One is never made to feel inferior to the others who have progressed further --very caring, creative, and yet precise.  There are very few absolutes in Eric's commentary, he may say "try this" to encourage improvement, while not holding one up to an ideal--unless it is physically incorrect.  "That's how you're doing it NOW". He goes on to say, "And make it a little bit better", dispelling the notion that one isn't good enough. He makes interesting analyses and uses various perspectives by looking at things from different angles.  You're on a journey, don't beat yourself up if you're not at the ultimate.  A.J considers himself to be a work in progress.  As all good teachers do, Eric encourages his students to keep up with their home practice--A.J. admits that this is one area he will have to work on with more determination.


by Bonnie Caslow Allan