This time is the last of the three part series this year where Judith will invite her students to a sangha of learning. It’s quite a luxury to get to do this… I could pass it up and wait for another one that may happen in couple of years or … do it. Felt a little intimated when I realized you have these 10-30+ year student of hers showing up to these …but some fresh 20-somethings to balance out:) Such loyalty and it’s because she really keys in on your needs and answers them. Hope I can get to that level of focus and clarity as well.
We had the 4 days in March; then June and now in October, we meet again – loving the progression in themes. Many familiar faces – this is a tough time of the year for all to make it to San Francisco. Nothing in comparison to those showing up from out-of-state, but it was a struggle for me – rather an ironic turn of events to lose something in order to gain this experience but – here I am – I count my blessings on how lucky I am to make it to this special Sangha – those passionate about learning from a veteran master teacher who imparts all that she has learned from BKS and then her own yoga life experiences and skills – while she maintained her balance with raising a family and aging gracefully.
IF YOU CAN’T BE IN PHYSICAL SPACE WITH JUDITH, IT’S ALRIGHT. IT’S OKAY; YOU CAN STILL LEARN FROM HER VIA HER OFFICE HOURS BECAUSE SHE IS KIND OF LIKE THAT MOM-LIKE “PROFESSOR” OF YOGA IN THE WEST 🙂 Has anyone ever wondered how she can be so prolific and at the same time so present at the same time? I have.
Some Q & A’s:
An interesting question:
Many of us experienced that Pranayama causes anxiety rather than bring on the calm and clarity. That progression in the Ashtanga yoga from the limb of Asana to Pranayama, then to Pratyahara …is what is supposed to happen… but anxiety stops us in our tracks at times when maintaining that ratio becomes strained … To that question, Judith answered something that we hadn’t realized …
Her answer as to why some people experience Anxiety when we make intentional breath control to affect the mind, the emotions, the mood – was VERY INTERESTING – kind of an AHAHHH moment.
Then her answer as to what to do about it when anxiety arises during pranayama applies in other areas of life where one experiences anxieties when one isn’t supposed to. Has that ever happened to you? After the practice, that practitioner was asked – if that anxiety she had described come up – the answer? No. It’s magic? No, a certain revelation pointed out by Judith shifts everything in a way to undo the forces of anxiety from arising – it’s not just about breathing deeply or exhaling longer, etc. etc the quick over-simplified cure for all.
I cannot share any photos from the day that was filled with asana, both restorative, non restorative and then therapeutic; pranayama, and talks filled with wisdom and … of course … sprinkled with lots of humor. Photos and videos for our own learning but strictly non-public so that she says, we can create a place of total safety and trust. I respect that.
Yeah, did a shoulder stand the Iyengar way. Realizing that my arms must grow another inch or two … for comfort. At any rate, Much Safer way shown.
