An addendum to our discovery of (shaky) evidence of our appearance in Mysore. For those who truly have too much time on their hands, be sure to follow the links to the photos posted and then click the icon to the right of the picture to view as a slideshow - much bigger. Scroll through these pics (at the bottom, pause to view a picture for longer) - there are some really cool ones, particularly of Mysore-style (self) practice days. You can see the crazy energy of the room, the windows black in the pre-dawn, the many people doing different series, including some truly wicked poses. K & E think these pics really capture the feel of the practice there...and for those who learn by doing rather than by seeing, come by on Sunday and we'll give you a taste - Ashtanga yoga in the Quad Cities!!
The links again: Sweet Mysore Morning and Yoga Mudra and a new one Mysore, India, 6:33 AM. We're pretty sure that that's E in the last one, way on the left, Utthita Parsvakonasana, distinguishable by the right arm in the air and the hair under the chinny-chin-chin. I mean, how many OTHER bearded, yoga-bun wearing, white guys could there be?
PS Bonus points for locating E in the Mysore Morning pic...
PPS Hint: black shorts, far wall, Matsyasana
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Quotastic
"I know what you need...you need to jump back more."
- Richard Freeman, on the wisdom of Ashtanga vinyasa yoga
- Richard Freeman, on the wisdom of Ashtanga vinyasa yoga
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Proof!!!
I am so excited today! Evan found photos taken at the Shala while we were there practicing and I am in TWO of them. They are not the most flattering, especially the second, but it's rare enough to have pictures from INSIDE the shala and even more rare that you might find yourself in one.
I guess flicker doesn't allow you to save the pictures to your computer, they're very clever. It's Ok though, this guy has a lot of pictures form Mysore and they are really interesting and well done. I might add, in the pictures of Mysore Mornings, there are relatively few people there compared to when we came back at the end of July. There surely were more than twice the students than in May/April. That was crazy. Crazy fun.
http://flickr.com/photos/govindakai/2547563351/in/photostream/
I guess flicker doesn't allow you to save the pictures to your computer, they're very clever. It's Ok though, this guy has a lot of pictures form Mysore and they are really interesting and well done. I might add, in the pictures of Mysore Mornings, there are relatively few people there compared to when we came back at the end of July. There surely were more than twice the students than in May/April. That was crazy. Crazy fun.
Can you find me in this one? A Hint: I wore my lavender top everyday we were there.
Like I said, this one, not so flattering. Obviously, I'm not the focal point of this pic, but still excited to see me, or at least most of me.
http://flickr.com/photos/govindakai/2548806998/
Shanti,
E and K
http://flickr.com/photos/govindakai/2548806998/
Shanti,
E and K
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The road less traveled, or practicing Ashtanga yoga in the Quad Cities
Wow.
It's been six Sundays worth of the Primary Series since our return from the subcontinent. That's the equivalent of one week of traditional Ashtanga yoga practice in the Quad Cities (the traditional schedule is Sunday through Friday, Saturdays off). K & E are each finding their voice in...um..."instructing" this class, which definitely has a different feel to it that most everything else in the Quad Cities yoga scene.
And my, how far we've come. It is remarkable to see the Sunday regulars (you know who you are - and so does everyone else by the limping and bitching every Monday). Already it is an entirely different class than we saw on that first Sunday in August. The body is fluid through time, reacting and adapting so quickly to these new demands placed on it. In addition to several...other things in the air on Sunday mornings, there is a new, palpable focus, confidence, and strength that wasn't there even two weeks ago. Dross burns off; the unnecessary falls away.
We can feel that students are getting a sense of what is coming next, that, though we rarely teach specific modifications w/in the flow, people know how to adapt everything as needed. And of course there is that post-practice high - contagious.
And let's not forget to mention our Intro class, having just wrapped up week two. The structure of this class is deceptively simple - we teach, step-by-step, the Ashtanga sequence over the course of the six weeks. Each class begins with an uninterrupted flow through everything we've learned so far, and then more step-by-step addition to that. This should take us all the way up through Navasana by the end of our six weeks, the perfect amount of experience to then wade into the Primary Series class. Even these first two weeks of the Intro class have been something to see: we've overheard students comparing notes about practicing Surya Namaskara during the week, and then seen that practice reflected in class.
We're all already getting to know one another, as well. The Intro class, having graciously warmed up the practice space, on their way out chatting briefly with the Primary Series folks on their way in.
One big, happy, sweaty, family, gathering at holidays to break bread and count blessings:
ONE...TWO...THREE...
It's been six Sundays worth of the Primary Series since our return from the subcontinent. That's the equivalent of one week of traditional Ashtanga yoga practice in the Quad Cities (the traditional schedule is Sunday through Friday, Saturdays off). K & E are each finding their voice in...um..."instructing" this class, which definitely has a different feel to it that most everything else in the Quad Cities yoga scene.
And my, how far we've come. It is remarkable to see the Sunday regulars (you know who you are - and so does everyone else by the limping and bitching every Monday). Already it is an entirely different class than we saw on that first Sunday in August. The body is fluid through time, reacting and adapting so quickly to these new demands placed on it. In addition to several...other things in the air on Sunday mornings, there is a new, palpable focus, confidence, and strength that wasn't there even two weeks ago. Dross burns off; the unnecessary falls away.
We can feel that students are getting a sense of what is coming next, that, though we rarely teach specific modifications w/in the flow, people know how to adapt everything as needed. And of course there is that post-practice high - contagious.
And let's not forget to mention our Intro class, having just wrapped up week two. The structure of this class is deceptively simple - we teach, step-by-step, the Ashtanga sequence over the course of the six weeks. Each class begins with an uninterrupted flow through everything we've learned so far, and then more step-by-step addition to that. This should take us all the way up through Navasana by the end of our six weeks, the perfect amount of experience to then wade into the Primary Series class. Even these first two weeks of the Intro class have been something to see: we've overheard students comparing notes about practicing Surya Namaskara during the week, and then seen that practice reflected in class.
We're all already getting to know one another, as well. The Intro class, having graciously warmed up the practice space, on their way out chatting briefly with the Primary Series folks on their way in.
One big, happy, sweaty, family, gathering at holidays to break bread and count blessings:
ONE...TWO...THREE...
Monday, September 15, 2008
Moon days
Today, Monday the 15th, is a Moon Day. A Moon Day is the day corresponding to either the Full or New Moon each month.
In traditional Ashtanga practice (as well as some other Hatha practices), Moon Days are observed by abstention from practice, which is otherwise done six days per week. In Mysore, the shala is closed on Moon Days. This practice is also observed by many Ashtanga schools in the States.
It sounds both odd and familiar. There is definitely an echo of the urban legend about Emergency Rooms being swamped on the Full Moon. The reason for abstaining from practice also echoes the reasoning behind this ER legend: the ebb and flow of energy.
The moon exerts an observable effect on the water of the planet (tides), symbolic, it is said, of the rise and fall of energy. Is not the human body, the argument goes, made mostly of water? In yoga lore, it - the human body, YOUR body - is said to experience this same cycle. It is recommended that yogis not practice at the times of peak and valley in energy as it may be more harmful than helpful. More indirect benefits are also logical: preventing attachment to practice, connection with the larger macrocosm through awareness of larger cycles, etc.
It is hard not to be skeptical or, at the very least, curious. Questions arise, both out of the logical arguments made and, for those of us who have observed the Mysore scene in action, in the way that Moon Days are treated by many as holidays - the time to do things to yourself that you otherwise choose not to do, knowing you will be getting up at 5 to practice each day.
How come I've never noticed that I have an internal energy cycle? Why is it that only the day of the Full and New Moons are too great an energy deviance to practice - why not TWO days before and after? Following the Moon Day logic, what about the effects of weather patterns, seasons, and other natural phenomena that seem to have even greater energies and impacts? Should not these be observed somehow as well?
This is the yogic process, inescapable and attendant on making use of the wisdom of millenia: separating the useful information from the meaningless superstition. This is unavoidable and becomes more and more apparent the deeper you go and the more home- and self-practice you do:
Bill Counter
And there's only one way to do it: trial and error.
In traditional Ashtanga practice (as well as some other Hatha practices), Moon Days are observed by abstention from practice, which is otherwise done six days per week. In Mysore, the shala is closed on Moon Days. This practice is also observed by many Ashtanga schools in the States.
It sounds both odd and familiar. There is definitely an echo of the urban legend about Emergency Rooms being swamped on the Full Moon. The reason for abstaining from practice also echoes the reasoning behind this ER legend: the ebb and flow of energy.
The moon exerts an observable effect on the water of the planet (tides), symbolic, it is said, of the rise and fall of energy. Is not the human body, the argument goes, made mostly of water? In yoga lore, it - the human body, YOUR body - is said to experience this same cycle. It is recommended that yogis not practice at the times of peak and valley in energy as it may be more harmful than helpful. More indirect benefits are also logical: preventing attachment to practice, connection with the larger macrocosm through awareness of larger cycles, etc.
It is hard not to be skeptical or, at the very least, curious. Questions arise, both out of the logical arguments made and, for those of us who have observed the Mysore scene in action, in the way that Moon Days are treated by many as holidays - the time to do things to yourself that you otherwise choose not to do, knowing you will be getting up at 5 to practice each day.
How come I've never noticed that I have an internal energy cycle? Why is it that only the day of the Full and New Moons are too great an energy deviance to practice - why not TWO days before and after? Following the Moon Day logic, what about the effects of weather patterns, seasons, and other natural phenomena that seem to have even greater energies and impacts? Should not these be observed somehow as well?
This is the yogic process, inescapable and attendant on making use of the wisdom of millenia: separating the useful information from the meaningless superstition. This is unavoidable and becomes more and more apparent the deeper you go and the more home- and self-practice you do:
The archeological challenge of doing yoga is to sift through thousands of years of practices in order to separate the religion and superstition from the
techniques of lasting value.
techniques of lasting value.
Bill Counter
And there's only one way to do it: trial and error.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Mysore mornings
Morning comes pretty early on the farm...PRE-tty early. Goats and chickens - with no access to late-night television or Internet - are programmed for early rising. And yet, before the chickens' automated coffeemaker has even clicked on and started brewing, E & K are nearly through their standing poses.
The Ashtanga practice routine is very particular and, once you've lived it, very logical. You get up early, you do your yoga, you start your day. Sharath keeps this routine, even though that means he gets up a little after 1 am so that he can practice before he starts his day, teaching yoga.
It is, like many other aspects of yoga, addictive. It just feels good. Though the initial bleary-eyed shuffle from bed to mat is not necessarily joyful, the rust comes off faster and faster each morning. As you might expect, morning is the least flexible time for the body, a fact which, initially, seems to indicate that this would not be the time to practice. However, there is no better way to find challenge, day after day.
Now, it's clear what you, our there in the land of Quad Cities yoga, are thinking. Let me guess...it starts with "But..." Yes, you are right. There are many, many of those, plus ifs and ands.
And yet...
The Ashtanga practice routine is very particular and, once you've lived it, very logical. You get up early, you do your yoga, you start your day. Sharath keeps this routine, even though that means he gets up a little after 1 am so that he can practice before he starts his day, teaching yoga.
It is, like many other aspects of yoga, addictive. It just feels good. Though the initial bleary-eyed shuffle from bed to mat is not necessarily joyful, the rust comes off faster and faster each morning. As you might expect, morning is the least flexible time for the body, a fact which, initially, seems to indicate that this would not be the time to practice. However, there is no better way to find challenge, day after day.
Now, it's clear what you, our there in the land of Quad Cities yoga, are thinking. Let me guess...it starts with "But..." Yes, you are right. There are many, many of those, plus ifs and ands.
And yet...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Radish Photo Shoot
What's that? You're dying to know what's happening in the all-yoga, all-the-time lives of your favorite teachers?Well, have we got news for you.
Evan and Kelly spent last Friday morning at a photo shoot for Radish magazine.
Can you beat that!?!
As you may or may not know, Evan is a very talented writer. After our India trip he submitted a story to the Radish, something of an uncensored, off-the-cuff reflection of day-to-day living and practicing yoga in Mysore. A week or so later, they called and asked if we would mind coming in for a photo shoot. We thought that alone was pretty cool.
We arrived to find a real live studio, with a real live photographer. Awesome. Then the best news: we're suppose-ab-ly going to be on the cover. We'll believe it when we see it.
In the meantime, here's a taste:
They took tons of photos. We're still sore. You'd be surprised how many breaths it takes to get a good photo - way more than five. We think this photographer may be a natural at teaching power classes - call the pose, get everybody in position ("Uh, 'Pose up'...is that what you say?"), and then...
Some pics of us together and some of us separate, so it's hard to say what exactly to expect. We're pretty sure it's going to look good. I mean...c'mon...QC yoga, REPRESENT!!
Stay tuned and keep your eyes open for the November issue of the Radish!
Friday, September 5, 2008
Cambridge Yoga Updates
A quick shout out to Cambridge Yogis!
I can guess based on last nights attendance (14!!!) that our regular Cambridge Yoga students have heard that we've relocated. We are now holding class the the Cambridge Lutheran church, right near the center of town. Its a great local, with even better people attending class. This spot will allow for better temperature control, parking space and an all around good vibe. Thanks Jolene, Lora and everyone else who helped make the transition possible. Classes are held on Thursday's beginning at 7:45ish and Saturdays at 8:00am. So far, the evening class seems to be working better for people than Saturday, but I think it wise not to change things up.
I still have not fired things up out in Bishop Hill. Hopfully this weekend I can take care of that and let everyone know soon enough.
More Soon!
Shanti
K
I still have not fired things up out in Bishop Hill. Hopfully this weekend I can take care of that and let everyone know soon enough.
More Soon!
Shanti
K
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