It’s New Moon tonight – the dark moon – the hidden moon often signifies not so much setting of goals but making the intentions or dedications – so thought about the seeds that some of these master yoga teachers gave us … they sowed the seeds:
If you hear the whole interview … Maty refers to it as a “gift” from BKS Iyengar – i.e., “Restorative Yoga” is a gift from the guru. I love Maty’s wisdom and humanity:
* The point is to give you more peace of mind…
* I like to have totality of humanity in my class …
why limit?
* how many people beat themselves up?
* They feel bad… they think they are less of a yogi because they can’t bind … THEN you missed the whole point of yoga … LOVE; YESSS, MORE LOVE!
Yoga is being flexible and pliable … block? Okay! hand? Okay! I try it this way? Okay ! THAT’S YOGA !
Yoga is supposed to be therapeutic.
As parents, we cultivate our children; we want them to blossom into what’s good for them …
Why push a child to be a doctor if the child wants to be an artist – why not artist?
I think students who study Ashtanga should know what’s restorative practice is about.
They should know it.
It’s so magical; it’s such a bridge to pranayama; it’s a bridge to meditation.
YES !
Then I have a student who is VERY capable in the MIND-WISE; they understand that a restorative practice is good; when they understand that a prop can be helpful; when they have that kind of mind; their physical body understands what to do; THEN I WILL teach them the Ashtanga. I will. Why not?
In the West a lot of us are broken. We are really hard on ourselves.
Many people in the West feel feel unworthy and hate themselves …it took him half an hour (to understand and) when he did, he started weeping – “this is wrong thinking” … (the Dali Lama story)
(Iyengar) He was a magician …
This is my way; do it my way or you are no good – I don’t buy that.
This is just one way. It’s a good way. But it has limitations. Why not see what else is possible?
As long as it’s benefit of the student. True benefit to the student – it’s a BENEFIT to your knee; your hip; your ability to nicer to yourself; sweeter to yourself; benefit to the student you have the privilege to teach yoga to.
At some point, it has to feel GOOD!
He was scientifically brilliant.
A-types; triple A-types … ha, ha, ha.
Dali Lama can’t hold his ankles! But he’s the most spiritual creature I’ve ever met!!
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For all yoga teachers and practitioners – one is not better than the other – it’s not a contest, competition or a boot camp**. It’s ALL yoga. Love her intelligence, dedication, humanness. She’s in the league with Judith – like no other. Sheer Respect for these dedicated souls having taught for decades.
** Having said that, she’s one tough teacher – the intensive session with Maty was … tough. BUT there’s this sense of security knowing that she will not harm your body nor mind. She will not place pressure on a body that is less capable or build structurally different. There’s already so much pressure off the mat – why create more on the mat? “At some point, it has to feel GOOD” – YES. It has to feel good. I am tired of gritting teeth, pounding, intense, hard workout. I mean … why? What is there to gain?
