Be Fearless.
Once upon a time in the Wild Wild West Bass Reeves ran down a pack of outlaws wanted for murder. But the outlaws got the drop on him, and ordered him off his horse. The leader of the pack laughed and gloated that the “Indomitable Marshal” was about to die. Bass Reeves pulled out his warrants and asked the men, “What is the date today?” The men were confused. The leader asked “What difference does that make?” Reeves told the men that he had to put the arrest date on their warrants. As the men laughed, Reeves used the distraction to draw “his six- shooter as fast as lightning.” He grabbed the barrel of the leaders gun, and redirected the weapon so it pointed up in the air. At the same time, he shot the other men, and then pistol- whipped the leader of the crew unconscious. “All in a day’s work for Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves.”
“He was the greatest lawman in the Wild West.”
Bass Reeves was born into slavery in 1838 in Crawford County, Arkansas. His family worked in servitude to William Reeves, who was a farmer and state legislator. In 1846 William Reeves moved his business and operations to Grayson County, Texas. He took all those that he kept enslaved, including 8yr old Bass Reeves. Bass grew to be at tall, strong, and intelligent man. And though he was “denied a traditional education, as the slaveholder’s ‘companion’ he was taught to ride and handle firearms. He proved so gifted with a rifle that William entered him in shooting contests. (Legend has it that as an adult Reeves was banned from such competitions in order to give others a fighting chance.)” When the civil war broke out William Reeves’ son, George enlisted with the confederate forces as a colonel in the Eleventh Texas Cavalry. Bass was sent to the battlefields with George, it is said that Bass escaped after he and George got into a dispute over a card game. According to Bass’ daughter Alice, Bass “laid him out cold with his fist and then made a run for the Indian Territory north across the Red River.”
“He was six feet two and 190 pounds, and they said he could whip any two men with his bare hands. If you got into a gunfight with Bass Reeves, it was tantamount to committing suicide.”
“Upon arriving in the Indian Territory, Bass learned the landscape and the customs of the Seminole and Creek tribes” He also learned their languages and tracking skills. After emancipation Bass moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas. He married Nellie Jennie, and together they had 10 kids. In Arkansas Bass ran a successful farm, and he did occasional work as a scout and guide for U.S. Deputy Marshals entering the “Indian Territory.” In 1875 Bass Reeves officially began his law enforcement career. He was hired as a commissioned deputy U.S. Marshal by Judge Isaac C. Parker. President Ulysses S. Grant had tasked Judge Parker to “clean up Indian Territory.”
“There were lots of places to hide and the outlaws there were always ready to fight. It was the most dangerous area in the Wild West, a real killing field for federal lawmen. Bass basically walked into this valley of death every day for 32 years.”
In his 32-year tenure Bass became known as the “Indomitable Marshal.” He was so skilled with the Winchester rifle he could kill a man from a quarter- mile away. He was also quick with the pistol. He wore two six- shooters with butt forward for a quick draw. Bass was Ambidextrous. He was said to have incredible accuracy with either hand. Bass caught the outlaws that other deputies couldn’t. And though he never learned to read or write, "he had a faculty of telling what warrants to serve on any one and never made a mistake. Reeves carried a batch of warrants in his pocket and when his superior officers asked him to produce it the old man would run through them and never fail to pick out the one desired.” He memorized every warrant, so he never arrested the wrong person. Bass was also a master of disguises, he would sometimes dress up as farmer, cowboy, or an outlaw to make an arrest.
“Reeves was never known to show the slightest excitement, under any circumstances. He does not know what fear is”
“Newspapers, as well as court testimony detailed Reeve’s role in apprehending whites who had committed crimes against African Americans… He rounded up instigators of a race war, and caught hell for lugging around two white men in a prison wagon for two months after they were accused of murdering a black man.” Bass was dedicated to his work, and never showed favoritism, not when “he arrested the minister who baptized him for selling illegal whiskey.” And not when he arrested his own son Bennie, who was wanted for murdering his wife. Though he was tough as nails those who knew him well, described him as polite and courteous.
“Absolutely fearless and knowing no master but duty”
As a deputy Bass arrested over 3,000 outlaws, and killed 14. But as he said he “never shot a man when it was not necessary for him to do so in the discharge of his duty to save his own life.” It is believed that Bass Reeves was the real life inspiration for the Lone Ranger. Art T. Burton’s book Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves “posited the theory that it is indeed the legendary frontier marshal who most closely resembles the Lone Ranger. The similarities are literal: both were spiffy dressers, skillful marksmen, and masters of disguise who traveled with Native American companions on white (or grey) horses” Both the the Lone Ranger and Bass were known for their strong moral compass and dedication to justice. Also many of the outlaws arrested by Bass Reeves were sent to the Detroit House of Corrections. And it was in Detroit that the Lone Ranger was introduced in 1933 on the radio station WXYZ. It is believed that the writers had heard the stories from the local inmates about the fearless and morally upright lawman named Bass Reeves.
“The legendary lawman was eventually removed from his position in 1907, when Oklahoma gained statehood. As an African American, Bass was unable to continue in his position as deputy marshal under the new state laws. He died three years later, after being diagnosed with Bright’s disease, but the legend of his work in the Old West would live on.” Bass Reeves is an inspiration to us all, to never let fear hold us back.
“Bass Reeves was the greatest frontier hero in American history”
How Yoga Can Help
“Balance in space. Go into the unknown. Conquer fear.”
- B.K.S. Iyengar
In this class students will learn the alignment, actions, and the steps to learning how to balance in sirsasana (headstand) and sarvangasana (shoulderstand) in the middle of the room. Moving away from the wall in our inversion practice takes courage, dedication, and above all trusts in ourselves to know that we are enough.
Notes on Practice:
Poses 1- 3
1. Adho Muka Virasana (child’s pose) 2. Adho Muka Svanasana (Downward Dog Pose) 3. Uttanasana (Intense Stretch Pose/ Standing Forward Bend) These pose tone the muscles of the arms and legs, and fully extends the spine. The release of the head and neck in these positions also provide therapeutic benefits that calm the mind and soothe the nerves.
Poses 4- 7
4. Urdhva Baddanguliyasana (Upward Bound Fingers Pose) 5. Paschima Baddanguliyasana (Reverse Bound Fingers Pose) 6. Gomukhasana Arms (Cow Face Pose) 7. Paschima Namaskar (Reverse Salutation) These poses increase flexibility, strength, and stability in the shoulder joints. These poses also help firm the upper back, so that we can have our own back, and trust that it will support us in any position we are in.
Pose 8
8. Prasarita Padottanasana (Wide Foot Pose) This pose stretches the hamstrings, calves, and lower back. The support of the crown of the head helps students turn their attention inwards. If you are not practicing sirsasana (headstand) or sarvangasana (shoulderstand) this pose can be practiced instead.
Pose 9
9. Salamba Sirsasana (headstand) This pose is considered “The King of all asanas” In Light On Yoga B.K.S. Iyengar explains “A country cannot prosper without a proper king or constitutional head to guide it; so also the human body cannot prosper without a healthy brain… Regular practice of sirsasana makes healthy pure blood flow through the brain cells. This rejuvenates them so that thinking power increases and thoughts become clearer.”
Pose 10
10. Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) Considered the “Queen of all asanas” In Light On Yoga B.K.S. Iyengar “The mother of all asanas. As a mother strives for harmony and happiness in the home, so this asana strives for the harmony and happiness of the human system.
Pose 11- 12
11. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined Bound Angle) 12. Savasana (Corpse Pose) These supported poses help us to rest and recover. After an active class these poses help bring balance so that we feel restored.