Words on the Teacher/Student Relationship
I just listened to magnificent podcast by spiritual teacher, Shambhavi, on how to relate to a spiritual teacher and I wanted to share her words with you. In my opinion, one of the biggest obstacles to the teacher/student relationship, arises from concepts we have inadvertently picked up from religion. This idea that, a teacher is a perfect being, is not a part of the culture that yoga was birthed from. Even a cursory reading of any of the great epic stories, from that culture, reveals that the yogis,teachers, gods and goddesses were not perfect. Yet, they were still considered to be masters. They are still being revered. Why? They possess qualities…
What Do Yoga Assumptions Make Out of You and Me?
The first fundamental of the spiritual process is that you drop all assumptions.-Sadhguru I make assumptions all the time. I have a very vibrant imagination. I am absolutely guilty of mentally creating my own Game of Thrones based on 1 sentence I read on the internet or an off hand remark said by a random person. Fortunately, I have friends, family and teachers to talk me off the ledge and get me to a place of truth. Through Yoga, I have become aware of my epic mental story creating capacity. Even though the stories still come, they come less often. Even when they do come, I try not to take action based…
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Strength and Grace: 10 Quotes From Female Greats of Ashtanga Yoga
I was very excited to receive a copy of Strength and Grace by Alicia Beale and Derick Yu from Ekam Inhale. Strength and Grace , a collection of essays from female Ashtanga practitioners, inspires and provides amazing insights into the world of Ashtanga from a female perspective. Similar to the book, Guruji by Eddie Stern, Strength and Grace contains amazing stories of transformation and practice with Ashtanga Guru Pattabhi Jois. However, this sets it apart. It includes, The rules of authorization and certification The logic behind ladies holiday How to practice during and after child birth How to balance Ashtanga with children and family life A brief foray into Ayurveda and Ashtanga…
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Yoga Sutras For Modern Day Life: The Choice is Yours
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali 1:39: Any inquiry of interest can calm the mind. Defining the Sutra: Patanjali continues to list ways to keep the mind calm. In this verse, he states that anything that brings up positive feelings within you can be used to calm the mind. It is implied that this object or idea had to be pure or satvic. It can’t violate the other tenets of Yoga discussed in the Yoga Sutras or be harmful to others. Modern Day Application: Meditation is the act of being fully present or absorbed with someone or something. There are two schools of thought on this. Some believe that, if you are…
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Who Is Showing Up To Do The Yoga?
I follow Thug Yoga on Facebook because the posts make me chuckle. It’s funny…to me. This morning, Thug Yoga posted the above picture. The first thing that came to my mind was, “hell yeah” but then I went into inquiry mode. So as not to bore you. Inquiry is a yogic contemplation technique. The inquiry was, “who is the you that is showing up?” Para Yoga teacher, Rod Stryker, says, Yoga can make you more neurotic or less neurotic depending on how you practice it. Not only is it important to show up on the mat, but it is important to show up on the mat with the right…
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A Deeper Conversation on Pain In Yoga with Gregor Maehle and Satinder Khalsa
I received a comment on my article, Yogi’s Attitude Towards Pain, that made me realize that I deeper conversation on pain and suffering needed to take place. The comment centered around the difference between suffering and pain and the meaning of the word “duhkha” from the Yoga Sutras. Reader, Satinder Khalsa,wrote “It doesn’t say pain, it says suffering, duhkha, which has not come can be avoided.” I though this was interesting because the verse is always translated as “pain”. I decided to have a chat with Satinder, my Sanskrit teacher Kokila Kaul, and renowned Ashtanga teacher and Author of, Ashtanga Yoga: Practice and Philosophy, Gregor Maehle about Duhkha. …
Are the Economics of Being a Yoga Teacher Brutal?
I got a few comments yesterday from some people who felt that Gregor’s comments on modern day yoga in the article, Interview with Gregor Maehle on Samadhi, were a little harsh. The argument is, ” Yes, yoga is watered down but look at how many people are practicing now! That is a good thing! ” The question I asked yesterday was, “where do we draw the line?” Yes, it is wonderful that more people are practicing yoga. However,growth that is “by any means necessary”has a cost. Are we ready to pay it? Do we want our children or future yoga students to pay it? Unchecked growth has long been recognized as…
Is Ashtanga Yoga a Balanced Practice?
Below are the 2 common reasons people feel Ashtanga is not balanced . This article is not geared towards people who have unique circumstances within their body that need special attention. Of course, the practice needs to change for them. This is about the healthy individuals who feel that the practice is imbalanced. Ashtanga is Just Forward Folds There are 50 + backbends in Ashtanga’s Primary Series! You do them in the Sun Salutes. You do them between almost every pose during floor work and than you finish with them! Upward Facing Dog is a back bend! Second Series has so many backbends that is is called “the nervous system”…
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Learning Ashtanga From the Internet: A Cautionary Tale
I love this recent post, At the (upward dog) Feet of Sharath by Matt Ryan, that talks about people copying Sharath’s updog. Verdict 1 The person (who gave me this info) has got this from their teacher who spoke to Sharath directly about the foot thing. Here’s the conversation which (allegedly) took place between this person’s teacher and Sharath.. Teacher: Sharath why is it you lift onto your toes in upward dog and not the top of the feet – is this a new method? Sharath: No this is not a new method. I do this because I suffered from polio as a child which resulted in me being…
Words of Wisdom For those on the Ashtanga Yoga Path
A friend posted this and I wanted to share it. Great advice for the Ashtanga journey from David Swenson * I want you to understand, the Ashtanga Yoga can be practiced for the rest of your life. You can enjoy this practice. About Yoga * This mat should be the place we come to free ourselves from all the stresses of the world. Don’t make it another place to be stress to you. * The mat is like a loving mother; The practice is a loving place. * If you enjoy your practice today, you will want to practice tomorrow. No one has to tell you. * Keep…
Making the Philosophy and Poses of Ashtanga Accessible for All
