Category: Yoga

I am quitting yoga and taking up _______________ (fill in the blank) instead.

April Fools!

Here’s a memo to self ? Yes, a kind message to the fool I had been:

There’s a TV show in Japan called “ANO HITO NI AITAI” translates to something like “I want to see/meet you again”. The show will bring back interviews from the past with titans of the past era. Interviews with famous authors or scientists, musicians, artists, poets, entrepreneurs, teachers … two things these featured guests have in common are that one, they are famous (in Japan anyway); and two, they are all dead. Actually maybe not all famous as in well-known as some are totally unknown to me – so ignorant of me as some of the figures they bring back to life are artists I had never been exposed to, but once introduced to their life’s work and their charm, come away wishing I had the honor during their lifetime to know them …sincerely wish the paths had crossed with these enlightened beings, the travelers further along, who had journeyed before us.

So, ahhh, what thrill, when these amazing beings are brought back before our eyes through the replay of past interviews. So while they are no longer with us physically, it is as though their essence, their spirit is brought back. It sounds morbid but it isn’t. (okay, I’m only a little …strange in what turns me on?) Rather, it’s just SO spell-bounding – reminding us of the great minds before us as they are brought back to life before our eyes. Sometimes I am awe-struck, even if the visuals may be so-not-Hollywood black and white dated faded pathetic in its aged quality.

So as I rearrange the books I had picked up at Golden Bridge yoga, wished Yogi Bhajan was featured in a program like that. Have known him only through print but it would be amazing to actually hear and see him even in recording …It does not have to be a full blown documentary – just an interview or a talk, re-released. Too bad PBS/KQED kind of a broadcaster doesn’t re-release their archived recordings (do they?).

Dead people can be resurrected and can come back to be with us – you merely have to remember them. And for some of us, there’s no memory of that great mind as we had not been directly exposed to him and he was only found through print – Thoughts on rebirth, renewal, revival, resurrection, reincarnation … all these lovely “re” words…the theme of remembrance revisited as we approach Easter weekend.

from http://www.hemsleyandhemsley.com/easter-bunny-does-yoga/
BTW, I LOVE this blog I accidentally stumbled upon… reminds me of the days when we dropped in on Golden Bridge yoga studio in LA … such beautiful space for meditation and a yoga style so different from what I had been practicing… It’s all good whatever the style, yoga is yoga, whatever the style, wherever you are.

On Maty Ezraty – “The Iyengar system is a rock in her practice and teaching” even though “She was one of a handful of women to complete some of the advanced sequences” (so young in the video:) taught by Pattabhi Jois, father of Ashtanga style. She integrates both styles … masterfully. Is that called a fusion or a blended style? Whatever it’s called, it works to make yoga more accessible to PT yogis (most of us are not dedicating our lives to yoga FT like these yogis in the video) and injury-free. Here’s a scene from a workshop by yet another Iyengar steeped teacher, Richard Rosen – he’s also very detailed and observant… that x-ray beam of a vision, the keen eyes, Judith Lasater also shares. (She would term the observations and body studies to be done with “soft eyes” though:)These masters all seem to “read” people’s body so well…learned a lot.
Anyway, served as an emergency sub this morning – yay – so fun even though I had no idea what kind of yoga – never taken this teacher’s class nor did I know what style but … it didn’t really matter. I am no longer concerned – I am not trying to replicate that regular instructor as she/he’s irreplaceable and I am not even going to attempt to copy. I cannot respect copy-cats… unless it’s a sequence like sun salutation etc. that’s the vinyasa imprint itself. If there’s her signature blue print or sequence, then, I am doing something different – that’s the only approach I have now. We are all different and I am not even going to try to … match her class. Turns out it was an Iyengar class. No problem – so timely as 3 of the yoga teachers I so respect and trained under recently are all Iyengar style teachers – although had I known, I would have prepared something but it came up 9am and the class was 10-something so … no prep. Jump in – not really in my character as I used to OVER prepare… (a shift taking place within…)

Stereo system did not have the needed cable so … no music either. In the past, I probably would have gotten a nervous breakdown just about when ipod cable was nowhere to be found and realization hits that there will be no music … but… no big deal… having been at Iyengar classes where there’s this characteristic sternness with constant verbal cues (probably”music” to ears for anatomy geeks), it’s okay to not have any BGM. So in spite of things not being just “perfect” as in an ideal world, students actually came up to say thank you after class, one of the ladies even saying “this is just what I needed – Thank you!” and gave me a big hug. Never seen her in my life and who knows if I will ever see her again but such a big heartfelt hug – a bit surprised and touched. What a warm and receptive group of lovely souls. Ichigo-ichie feel. Arigato. I have no idea what kind of teacher I was subbing for but I sensed that she must be a very good teacher if reflected by the quality of her students – they were so present, SO flexible psychic-“wise”, willing to go along with the break in their regularity and routine, setting aside their expectations.

Unrelated but scene from the intensive with Maty – that chin – that chin – So happy to have done that session that prepared me for this kind of no-prep sub stint with total confidence. I mean, when you know that you’ve learned from the expert, someone you worship, you can’t help but believe in yourself. You know you know it.(Still cannot levitate…or have the body do what the mind wants it to do all the time – which probably is a blessing in disguise – practice and training needed…always humbled.)

Then tonight, I got to go to my late-night class – another, yay (8:30 is not that late but it’s the only one around – here it’s not urban enough I guess) – thank you thank you thank you – all gratitude to be allowed to indulge in yoga at such time – I loved tonight’s class – Teacher K always introduces 1-3 new pose(s) and they were the ones I found fun exploring (still challenging)… but even more than the class itself, I actually loved the class because the girl next to me was so sweet – after class she offered to take my blankets to the back room for me – so to reciprocate, I offered to return her block to the front of the room – it seems like nothing – truly no big deal and it’s not as though we became BFF as a result … such a little thing but… I don’t know… it was a nice unexpected gesture … nice vibe – that kind of an exchange creates. I am also beginning to recognize the regulars as I too might become a regular at this rate where this is the only late night class I can get to … I don’t know what happened but all the sudden the class size mushroomed from last week and it was even more packed than usual. A treat to have a dedicated time to yoga when the practice does not break up the day… there’s no more to do other than a hot ofuro Japanese style. Haahhh, heaven:) Good night …I am so grateful for today. Arigato. Oyasumi ~
I MAY need this tomorrow though…really was prezely tonight. China Gel – a cream version of Tiger Balm.