About Theo
History
I was born in Kimberley, a semi-desert town in South Africa, Diamonds were discovered there in 1866 and in just a few years, South Africa yielded more diamonds than India had in over 2,000 years, with Kimberley, at the time, being responsible for producing 95% of the world's diamonds.
My school song was: - “The diamonds of our city are sent across the seas, but let them go, we'll strive to show her maids are more than these”.
In March 1968 tragedy struck when my brother Spiro was accidentally killed. The family was bereft.
My mother Joyce had been a member of the Sivananda School of Yoga in the late 60’s. Coincidentally she came across BKS Iyengar’s classic 1966 book “Light on Yoga” which is referred to as ” the” bible of modern yoga” at the Kimberley Library. She immediately said to herself “This is the guru I want...” Then a miracle happened. The Sivananda Society had organized a yoga course with the Guru in Mauritius, as India, during apartheid, understandably refused to trade with South Africa. At the last moment my mother was invited to join that course.
The Guru spotted Joyce trembling at the back of the class. “You, at the back…. Who is your teacher?” he demanded. She answered, “No one Sir, I only have your book”. Well, this was the perfect answer as far as Mr. Iyengar was concerned…
She had not expected such a fiery introduction to yoga…it was as if she was “Being baked in the kiln of Yoga”... while he strode around the room with his harsh instructions.
“BKS Iyengar practicing Yoga in Mauritius”
“The Yoga room in Malawi was a potholed tennis court”
This was truly a “Walk of Fire” as Iyengar had a mightily forceful approach to the postures. He was named the “Michelangelo of Yoga…” in later years, it was very much “My way or the highway.” She felt worthless, dejected …she considered walking into the Mauritian ocean and ending it all….
Then yet another miracle occurred - her tears of sorrow were dried…. the Guru had wrenched her from the depths of despair to the heights of joy… she was on the path to becoming an accomplished teacher…
I am convinced that Divine Grace had stepped right into her life as well as mine.
She went on to introduce Iyengar Yoga to South Africa and to me.
Thanks to her I have been trained by some of the World’s leading yogis and have conservatively in the region of 100 000 hours of experience.
I dedicate this site to her memory, Guru BKS Iyengar and his daughter, Dr Geeta Iyengar.
The artist and yoga teacher
“Theo with President Nelson Mandela at his house with her painting True Love”. which he wanted as a birthday gift for his wife, Mrs Garca Machel. It was also the back cover of the Readers Digest”
This blend of the conscious with the unconscious brings a lustrous awareness to each moment – this sums up the meditative state.
I might do much thinking and planning before entering this state and meditate on a daily basis. Discipline is a constant in my life as I need to watch my thoughts and connection to body and mind.
Only then the painting might reveal itself to me! It sometimes comes as a surprise. It is a journey into the unknown.
Hopefully my way of life which combines yoga, exercise, dance, meditation and art which I refer to as Creative Health, allows a healing reaction for the observer. After all the viewer completes the picture.
“Theo and her late mother, outside Theos art studio.”
As an artist, yoga practitioner and teacher and artist, I express myself in the moment.
I endeavour to live in the “eternal present” through the practice of yoga Asanas or postures.
In other words, “I mould the body to mould the mind”.
This feeling is also embodied in my paintings as I strive to express myself combined with divine grace in the now, by allowing the paint to flow but also controlling it at the same time. This is the subtle blend between discipline and freedom, much like the art of yoga and meditation.
“ A Lamp does not flicker in a place where no winds blow; so it is with a yogi, who controls his mind, intellect and self, ,being absorbed in the spirit within him”.
“ LIGHT ON YOGA” B.K.S. Iyengar