May 2017 Featured Yogi: Frank Bezbatchenko

Born in Akron, Ohio, to a family of five boys, Frank was the youngest and always competitive with his brothers and active in the swim team from an early age through high school. He lives by the philosophy that you always need to stay active, both mind and body. Being active means many things to see, do and learn, especially in Los Angeles. He has stayed active with commercial acting, improv work, earning a Private Pilot license, and is now exploring music and learning to play the guitar.  Here's  a taste of his yoga journey in a recent interview:

  1. How and when did you find Yoga?
A friend of mine from the improv class invited me to attend back in the mid-90s. It was a Power Yoga class off Tujunga. It was challenging and maybe not the right start for a beginner, but I made it work.  

  2. How has yoga (physical, philosophy, meditation) affected you?In my improv class, we used to do a breathing exercise to help us relax. This is where Yoga breathing makes you relax, so you can do your best work. I had a friend who was a Yoga teacher who was always calm, even when things went bad. I learned from him the purpose of Breathing and Meditation. I think of him sometimes and how I can better myself with my practice.

  3. Please share any important insights from your yoga practice that might benefit others.
I learned from improv and yoga that things change constantly in life. It’s OK. Knowing it will work out and at least you will be “OK” is a benefit. Take a few deep breaths and move on.
Like standing in line when you’re in a rush and the person has more than 15 items in the express lane: Take a deep breath and do a mountain pose. I find that is helpful and maybe the other person is having a difficult day. We all get them, but we can still survive.

I want to thank Michelle. She is really something special, and puts a lot of work into the programs. Michelle has helped me grow in both mind and in body.
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   4. What is your favorite pose and why?
Peaceful Warrior, to me it means peace with my movement and a calm to my poses.

​Spreading the yogic philosophy of oneness and collective consciousness, Frank is preparing for an inspiring musical project this month: 

On May 20, Frank will be on the White House lawn singing with a 1,000-person choir to a song entitled, “We Are One,” by David Longoria. The song was written to help bring our nation together and was inspired by the 30-year anniversary of the world-renowned song, “We are the World." The date is the 19th-annual White House Day of Prayer for our Nation. "We will lift our hearts and voices in unity to honor our nation. I’m happy to be involved in this project and for what the song represents, standing up for each other and lifting each other up," says Frank.  The song is available for listening on Facebook, by searching: We Are One.
"Yoga and Music go together, like when you're meditating being inspired by a drum beat. This song lifts my heart and I hope it does the same thing to you," shares Frank.  ​