IHPRA Newsletter
September 2008
The IHPRA site receives many questions from readers.
Here are a few with links to resources.
How can I get a copy of FM 3-22-20?
It is a 645 page document. Here it is divided into four parts.
Click here to see some older Army PRT manuals.
Dr. Thomas: How did you learn about Yoga?
| Yoga is a complex and enigmatic mystery. Can't say I know much about it. In 1969, I returned from the Infantry and enrolled at The University of Iowa in the Fall to complete an Exercise Science degree. The Department of Physical Education asked me to teach Judo. Soon after, I was asked to teach Yoga and weight training. There were many Yoga masters in the USA then, and I started seeking instruction. I eventually left Iowa for two years in 1977-79, and traveled in search of teachers. Along the way, I found many yogis, monks and other pilgrims. I eventually landed at Northern Illinois University in 1979 and began teaching restorative and martial arts. The Theosophical Society was a short drive away in Wheaton, IL. People like Joseph Campbell, Fritjof Kapra and many other noted thinkers were regular speakers. Several years abroad in Korea, Germany, Burma and Thailand added to the adventure. In short, my profession has allowed me to spend just about all my life as a student. Click here for a related article. |
How would you describe your philosophy of Physical Culture?
Click here. Wrote this many years ago, but it is still current.
I have seen your name associated with better sitting posture. How did you learn about these things.
| I bought a Balans and slanted desk while living in Germany in 1984. The rest was research and following the literature as the knowledge eventually emerged here in the USA. Info links can be found in the IHPRA newsletters. Here is an example. |
What are some of your favorite books?
| Forty years of collecting thousands of rare books makes it difficult to select only a few favorites. Some great old books are online at Google. Click here for a few recommendations. |
How did you learn so much about inversion boots?
| A buddy was living in Venice and training at Gold's Gym in the early-1970s. I went out for a few summers to learn what I could from the body builders and old-timers on the beach. Saw some of the body builders on the boots and learned that the man who invented them had a medical clinic in Pasadena. Was already using a primitive inversion table called the PhysiCare machine in Yoga/relaxation classes at The Univ of Iowa, but the boots took the concept to a more strenuous level. Went over to Pasadena and found Dr. Robert M. Martin. Introduced myself, and began a conversation with him that lasted well over twenty-five years. He was a brilliant healer, and I will always appreciate his generosity and kindness. Click here for more info. |
Carlos Santana mentions you and an article you wrote in his medicine ball book. Can I still get the article?
A link to it is in newsletter 14. Click here.
What did you look like when you were in the Army?
Like just about every other grunt. Lean and green.
DMZ, South Korea, 1968
