 |
Max ZakEmployee of the international department of one of the most famous medical centers in Israel
Country:
 Israel |
Max Zak: A Unique Individual
Max Zak is not your typical employee of an international department in one of the most renowned medical centers in Israel. While his work is important to him, it is not the main focus of his life. Max Zak is passionate about yoga and karate, an unexpected combination that caught our attention. Recently, he has also ventured into the world of literature. Max, medical tourism is a little-known topic for Russian-speaking Israelis. Who are your average clients?
- Our average clients are individuals who are aware of the shortcomings of medical care in the former Soviet Union and seek effective treatment abroad. This is primarily due to the lack of proper early diagnosis and preventive measures in CIS countries. For example, in Israel, if there is a family history of certain oncological diseases, all preventive procedures and examinations are covered by the national health insurance. This is not the case in CIS countries.
- I understand that your clients have enough financial means to seek treatment in the US, Germany, or the UK. Why do they choose Israel? Is it because of the Russian language or the high level of our medicine?
- Israeli medicine is not necessarily better than American medicine. The main advantage is that our patients do not face a language barrier. Initially, people came to Israel for treatment because they had relatives and friends here. Then, as those who had been successfully treated by us recommended our medical center, more people started coming. Our medical center does not advertise; we simply do our work, and people come to us because they know about our high standards.
You work with clients of a certain social status, who are quite affluent. I understand that you can't give names or specific examples, but have you encountered any unusual requests or demands from your clients?
- People are still people. When it comes to money, a person of average means can certainly improve their health here. We not only perform surgeries but also provide preventive care and diagnostics, which are accessible to many. Let's leave medicine aside for a moment. You have been practicing yoga for many years, and moreover, this particular style of yoga is not common in our country...
- We need to clarify the terms. A "yogi" is not someone who meditates for two hours a day; it is a way of life. It's not enough to appear like a yogi externally – you have to live like one. For example, my teacher, Shibuji, lives in Varanasi, the oldest city in India, but he always dresses like a European. And what influenced your choice of teacher? Why did you choose this particular person?
- We met in Israel through my first mentor, Ronen Katz, who is one of the founders of the Brigu Yoga in Israel. When Shibuji, his teacher, came to visit, I was invited to meet him. I saw a charming, intelligent philosopher and found my teacher in him. And are you a teacher yourself?
- Yes, I am. I have friends and colleagues. What do you learn from your teacher?
- The school I belong to is an offshoot of Raj Yoga. The techniques of this school were developed more than five hundred years ago and have Himalayan roots. They were created for people who lead ordinary lives – work, get married, have children. My teacher always emphasizes that yoga should prioritize family, children, and a strong support system. Only then does yoga itself – meditation and asanas – come into play. In the Middle Ages, Raj Yoga was considered the practice of the chosen few. This led to the almost complete disappearance of meditation skills at the turn of the twentieth century. As a result, new generations of yogis, like Swami Vivekananda, went to the West to share this knowledge with a wider audience. The same thing happened in my school. The main disciple of Brigu Yoga – the respected Shibuji – was sent to Israel. Now, for 15 years, one of the oldest branches of yoga has flourished in our country. But how do you define purity? It seems like a subjective and relative concept, doesn't it?
- In Raj Yoga, there are eight stages or steps. The first two are yama and niyama, the moral principles of yoga, which are very similar to the moral codes of Judaism and Christianity. Then come the physical exercises because, as written in ancient scriptures, a person should strive to be healthy and strong. The fourth stage is breathing techniques that allow the channels through which prana, the life energy, flows to be cleared. Then, the stages progress with the purification of thoughts, concentration, and finally, meditation. The highest stage is self-realization – a state of trance. This is the most important moment. A person who has an overwhelming desire to understand spirituality can only achieve it by understanding themselves. At what stage are you?
- I practice all the stages, starting from the very first one. Yoga is a way of life for me. It encompasses everything – how I treat people, both physically and spiritually. How do you manage to do it all? I imagine your schedule must be incredibly demanding, and there are only 24 hours in a day...
- If there is desire and a need, it is possible. I start my meditation early in the morning, around 5:30 am. It only takes half an hour to an hour. I also meditate in the evening, usually between 8 pm and 11 pm. Judaism and yoga don't contradict each other, do they?
- Yoga is not a religion. It is a set of technical and practical skills that allow individuals to cope with life's difficulties. Yogis themselves say that to understand the philosophy of the teachings, one must first learn to respect and embrace their roots. I am Jewish, and in that sense, I am very comfortable. Are there many like-minded individuals in Israel?
- There are around 500 people who share the same school as me. We are all followers of the same school of thought. Is yoga for the young or for those who have experienced life's challenges?
- Typically, people come to this way of life around the age of 50. It's not a coincidence. Until the age of 25, we are learning and growing. From 25 to 50, we create families and raise children. Our minds are filled with many problems, leaving little room for self-reflection. After the age of 50, there is a reassessment of both moral and physical aspects. It is the best time for those who want to understand themselves better. However, these age boundaries are somewhat arbitrary. By the way, if one starts practicing Hatha Yoga early, it can extend one's life well into old age... When did you start practicing yoga?
- I started when I was 37. It seems that I was ready for it. Are there any restrictions in yoga? For example, certain books, movies, or performances?
- There are no restrictions. It is up to each individual to determine what is good or bad for them.
- When we hear the word "yogi," we immediately think of someone swallowing fire or walking on hot coals...
- Yes, that's a typical image from Indian movies. However, it is not an accurate representation of the essence. A true yogi would never showcase their abilities. I've heard that yogis are able to heal people. Does this form of medicine have its own philosophy?
- Wise yogis believe that if a person's fate is to die, then it is their karma. Ramakrishna, for example, died at the age of 49 from throat cancer. His disciples, upon learning about his illness, cried and pleaded for him to save himself. He continued to heal others until the last day but refused to heal himself. This act demonstrates immense strength and wisdom, only accessible to great individuals. You also have skills in martial arts. Does this contradict your philosophy, the philosophy of yoga?
- Not at all. First and foremost, we are heads of families, and our duty is to protect our loved ones. So, if tomorrow... if there is war, if there is a military campaign... both I and my teacher in Israel would go to fight. A yogi is a patriot...
