Interview with Steve Hyland - Ashtanga Yoga Pattaya, Thailand

Interview with a long time practitioner - Steven Hyland

Ashtanga Yoga in Thailand

1. What guided you to the Ashtanga Yoga Practice?

It was quite a long time ago now; about 4 or 5 years BC (before computers) I think.

I had been on a kind of search for a yoga class that would be likely to hold my interest. I had tried a couple of classes at a local sports facility and they didn’t seem to be very interesting or challenging. Back then it was purely a physical practice; I had no idea at all how much depth there could be to it. 

Anyway, by chance I was in the sports department of a large store, and there was a dvd running of two people practicing first series. One was accomplished, and the other was doing beginners variations, which, although is a different approach to KPJAYI teaching methods, it did make it appealing to try. 

There was something about what they were practicing that triggered a deep connection, but I was a long way from being physically capable of 80% of the asanas. I had a desk job back then, and had not been fit as a kid. I had a LOT of work to do but I was up for the challenge. 

After a few weeks of stretching and struggling at home, I knew I had to find a teacher and found one, just 40kms from home. That was my seed point really. It was about 1997.

 

2. Do you think that this practice is for everyone ? Even for a full complete beginner?

It really is down to attitude. Of course these days there’s been a massive increase in awareness, so with a bit of research, not so many go into it like a blank sheet of paper (as I had).

What is needed is discipline, patience, acceptance, compassion and many other qualities that can be left behind in the fast-paced and ever changing lives that most of us seem to have these days.

Many people seem to be over-stimulated these days, without a minute to call their own, so it is a highly appropriate time to start. “I didn’t have time” is probably the most common reason for not taking practice, or going to class, but we overlook that we are in control of what we actually do with our time.

We all have the opportunity to arrange our lives to include a bit of ‘me-time’, and in that window we can take practice. 

In the beginning, we don’t have to do too much. It’s much nicer, and sustainable, if we taper into a practice, while making sure that we don’t just play to our strengths. 

Many of us have to progress very carefully though, because our joints and our ranges of movement in our day to day life are not ready for many of the asanas.

We’ve allowed ourselves quite sedentary life in most cases, or been driven that way by work and short term opportunities to be comfortable. So, we have to learn how to lean into it, and not push. Guruji always said that it’s a listening practice.

It can be painful when we don’t listen, or when we rush! As a teacher, I don’t like to see people setting themselves up for the mistakes that I’ve made in the past.

All of my injuries occurred in the first year or so, and were entirely caused by me trying to do things I wasn’t ready for; my beginners naivety. The bottom line though IMHO, is attitude.

Anyone with the right attitude can patiently begin their quest. Yamas and Niyamas strongly support correct attitude, but many of us don’t place too much interest there for a while. Odd really, because later on they can become one of your biggest challenges. 

3. From your personal point of view, is it really necessary to stop student when they can not bind in Marychasana D or grab in Supta Kurmasana for instance?

There are advantages in both scenarios, so the relationship with your teacher is what really matters to me.

If the student and teacher know each other, and work together for a meaningful period of time, they can work together applying the brakes,  or pushing if a push is required. A good teacher isn’t looking at the place, he’s looking at the face. If somebody is really making a mess, or conking out, it’s better for them to rest up at that point.

4. There is this sentence that said "One teacher (or one guru) for one student". Do you consider Pattabhis Jois or Sharath as your Guru?

Most of us think about this at some point, and maybe some of us over think it. I’m kind of at peace with it, in that the Guru system is Indian. 

As I’m not (Indian), I don’t use the term Guru. I have enormous respect for Guruji’s work and of course for Sharath, as well as my principal teacher, Hamish.

I deeply respect other teachers that have shed a bit of light on stuff over the years too. Even just one tip that supports me gets remembered at source as I practice, and keeps in evolving and interesting. We are all one voice in the fullness of time, and all here to support and help each other; that’s my feeling anyway.

5. Do you think that it is easy to follow the "parampara" when in Mysore there are more than 200 students to practice with one teacher?

Remaining within a lineage really helps to control confusion and doubt that can set in by hopping around and doing different practices/methods.

Conversely though, staying open to ideas and inspiration is very helpful and healthy, without unbalancing your energy.

If confusion and doubt set in, it can really bugger up my practice, so for me parampara is internal, not external. I hope that makes sense.

Being in Gokulam, really helped me to see a bigger picture, or maybe it was just that my mind was free of work and all other commitments.

The number of people there had no bearing at all on what I came away with. The large numbers of people did make the domestic stuff challenging though; accommodation etc., and of course these days, it has become more difficult to get a place in the Shala. 

6. What does the practice bring you on a daily basis or just into your Life?

Once I had accepted that it was going to be quite different every time, and stopped really striving for progress, it became a really special time.

In all those years, it has hardly ever felt like a chore or like I just have to go through the motions. It’s very colourful. From the opening mantra though, everything else goes on hold and all of the support mechanisms that the practice offers, start to show up.

At the end, whether it’s felt heavy, light, spacious or tight, after taking some rest, theres a lovely feeling of settlement, peace and accomplishment etc. I love the way Guruji summed that up in his limited English; “everywhere looking, only God seeing”.

7. What advice will you give to a brand new practitioner? 

Be patient and don't have too many expectations or demands. Let it happen, because it will. There will be hundreds of "ahaha" moments that will show up when you are ready. Practice with healthy curiosity and practice with an artful intelligence, while keeping sight of the incredible intelligence that the sequencing of the asanas has built inside of it.

What needs to change, deepen or evolve in you will be supported by each respective asana and vinyasa.

Just trust it.

It works.

*

*    *

Steven Hyland is teaching Mysore Classes all year long in Pattaya, Thailand.

- Namaste -

Ashtanga Yoga Practice - Improving the core

Since I don't have anything else to do while I am in Thailand I am starting to practice 4 hours per day. After my morning practice I usually go for a swim to relaxe my muscle and in the afternoon I start exploring other path outside of Ashtanga.

For instance I am now practicing Pilates, I really missed that practice, I used to practice and teach Pilates when I was living in Paris 5 years ago. I do miss it a lot but I am getting back to it which is a very good news.

Steve Hyland let me borrowing the Yoga Wheel from the studio, and I am discovering how can I use it instead of a Ball or instead of a Reformer for instance. It is pretty intense practice and I am realising that I kind of lost my core by only practicing Ashtanga Yoga.

Or maybe it is because I do not practice well, but Pilates moves are essentially for the core muscle. The passage from lying down to the Teaser is slightly difficult with this manduka travel yoga mat.

Very thin and my sacrum does not like it, therefore I am not stable because of the pain it occurs to my sacrum.

And as a result this morning I did my first "baby lolasana, I was very happy about it but was unable to reproduce it ;-)

So now I am looking forward to the next morning practice.

Have a good day!

Learning how to practice with my injury - Week 2, Mark Robberds

My injury is getting worst, left sit bone, left hamstring are completely tight, can not bend forward on the left side, however the hip opening is still happening so it does not stop to practice the Marychasana D for instance but all forward fold on the left side are completely out of reach.

This morning after Trikonasana B when I noticed that I could not even reach the floor without bending my left knee I was about to cry.

Then as my practice was going on I realised that it does not stop to me to work my jump back and jump through as well the lifting up.

At one my point I decided to just let it go.

When I reached Bhujapidasana I then realised that even though I did not really control the head down on the floor I've done it without my feet touching the floor, it was such an improvement. However to come back I had to bring the feet on the floor but mostly the work was coming from my arms, so I was very happy.

I also did a beautiful Setu Bandhasana with my arms crossed at my chest without any pain at all, it was actually very easy. Urdhva Dhanurasana was really easy as well.

My drop back were also very good, I come back with my head last and mostly the work is now coming from my legs.

So what am I learning right now?

Okay I have this bad injury but it is just limiting me in some asanas during the forward fold. However I can still improve the rest of the practice and instead of having pity of myself it woke up the warrior in me.

Today I practiced in full consciousness about my limitations and explored more about the things I can actually do but that I never done it fully because I thought it was out of my reach.

It was a full 2 hour practice, taking my time but respecting all vinyasas.

Finally it all happened for a good reason ;-)

- Namaste - 

Chaturanga Dandasana the return....

Since the last couple of weeks I am correcting, adjusting my practice. I used to micro bend my knee while bending forward, I don't  do it anymore and as a result it is a huge improvement for my pelvis motion, now I really feel my sit bones lifting up while jumping back and jumping front and the stretch for a forward fold is starting from my lower back, new sensation.

Then I remembered what Iain told us during the immersion last month. The elbows in Chaturanga Dandasana should be on the side, slightly open but surely not below the rib cage which will led the upper body to round, basically a real full plank using only the strength of the arms and the torso and not cheating by contre balancing the body weight on the triceps.

I realised that day I was cheating in my Chaturanga Dandasana.

So I corrected it and once again it is a huge change in my practice. First of all I really need to push against the floor in order to keep a plank pause and then from here going into Urdha Mukha Svanasana takes more effort than I ever thought. I am really working more my pectoralis major and minor, gliding my scapula down into the serratus interior and stretching like I never did before the triceps muscle.

What does it mean???

Well it mean, and it very unfortunate, that I was practicing wrongly, cheating most of the time in the most important part of the practice, how can I lift up and jump back if I am not building my upper body correctly, I can't, it can not happen, it is a "simple" foundation that I have been avoiding because probably of laziness and mostly a lacking of awareness.

I have been compensating a lot, now I am renewing my practice and building a new body. As a result I am not chasing any new asana, I am perfectly fine with the Primary Series and have absolutely no urge of going further. I need to rebuild my foundation.

My best Guru so far is Myself!

So far I haven't find "my" teacher. I can not consider Sharat as my teacher as I don't know him and have been practicing with him for only 10 weeks. I will say that I am my own Guru and my own teacher. My yoga mat is calling each morning and I have to admit that I am reaching a very comfortable practice without any pain and a lot of improvement.

This morning was a blissful practice, my nose was blocked so I started all Suraya Namaskara breathing from the mouth.

All asanas are coming easily and flowing. My asana practice last for 1.25 hour. Then I did 15 minutes of Pranayama but with a running nose I did not really enjoy it.

Still I can not grab in Supta Kurmasana but for the rest everything is just fine.

I am not looking for a Guru, I am just looking for practice with different teachers. 

5000 applications!!!!

During the conference today this is what Sharat said. There were 5000 applications for November, December, January..... the shall is completely full and no more registrations are possible until next year. So we should feel lucky to be part of the students who got accepted. Of course I feel lucky ;-)

I met Ian Grysak today. He was in the line up, I cam to him and asked him "are you Iain Grysak?" he said yes, then I told him that I was reading his articles and get inspired by it and his point of view. So I thanked him for it and went back to the queue. He was very humble, he asked my name and told me thank you.

I was surprise that no one was around him, talking with him, he was alone on his own like any others practitioners.

If you want to real a real blog about a the real ashtanga Yoga practice and the real commitment I highly recommended his webstie:

http://spaciousyoga.com/you-stop-there-lessons-from-sharath-jois/

I am still asking myself whether I will register for his workshop "Ashtanga Immersion course" on February or not...... On March I am going to Lombok so I should ask for a 2 months visa before going to Bali if I want to attend his course.... I am really interesting in it.

Will see.

So today was the led class, I arrived late on purpose (but before the class's starting) and did my practice upstair in the changing room. I wanted it. And I did the full practice ;-) I was sweating like anything, practice is led for one small hour and when Sharat count is at 3 I am just finishing my first breathing....

Monday there is no class, full moon and then Tuesday is the led class..... Did not expect it. I won't go to it as it at 4.30 AM (I have to leave the Ashram by 3.30 AM to be at the shala by 4.00 AM and all of it for a quick led class.... no thank you). Then I will do my practice in our shala at 5.00 AM.

I feel great.

- Namaste -

Practice is flowing, blossoming from my belly!

The more I practiced the more it is easier. However I am still stuck in Supta Kurmasana, whatever the adjustment I am receiving I can not grab my fingers.

All others asanas are going very well, this is the positive side, Marichyasana D is not a problem at all for me, I do not have any pain in my knee.

The pain I am having is all around the buttocks region, I remember when I was attending glutes workouts I used to have a lot of pain all around the region by the repetition of boring exercices, it is exactly the same pain I am having right now.

Also I have noticed that the shape of my body is changing, I have a waist line coming, shoulders are getting wider, rib cage as well, legs and especially the hamstrings are getting longer and my butt is getting higher...... not to mention my arms, my biceps are really big.

The stamina is also well installed, I am draining myself into the practice, it is flowing, my breathing make me sweat a lot and I am getting more and more focus each day.

I am in a transformation phase. I feel great and my mind is calmer. I sleep a lot!

At the end of my practice Sharat asked me if I was catching, I told him no.... he said "next week call me and I will help you".

Monday is full moon day, so let see on Tuesday.

- Namaste -

Parshvotanasana

Today Sharat corrected my Parshvotanasana. Basically the gap between the two legs is not hip width but larger, closed to the one of Trikonasana and the back foot need to be at 90°. Never practiced Parshvotanasana that way, it opens the hips more and the balance was quite challenging while bending forward.

Marichyasana D was quite laborious today.....

And Supta Kurmasana, well what could I say about it? I completely stuck to that asana.

After all it was a good practice but could have been better.

For next month practice my time will be changing, today all students are required to be in the shala between 3.00 PM and 4.30 PM to get their new card.

I think I will get earlier practice. Will see :-)

- Namaste -

Funny thoughts....

I am still practicing the physical part of Yoga which is Asana. However my thoughts are struck in my head, completely moving every where.

I am caught with bad thinking about what I am reading on Facebook or Instagram or others blogues.

As a Yoga Teacher or Pilates Teacher or Holistic Guide/Teacher, or whatever the name you are giving to yourself, I completely understand in order to "survive" or to make a living with our knowledge at one point we need to commercialise ourself.

However I do have problem on how the merchandising is done.

So in order to solve this there are bunch of people who are willing to help you, to guide you, to give you the key of success, to show you how to expand yourself, to explain you how to reach your goals.

Basically they are creating a new demand. 

How by downloading a guide in PDF from internet will someone become successful? There is no guide for success.... and especially when the person who is "selling" his secret is not even well known. At least if someone like Kim Kardashian is selling you her guide to success then okay she has probably something good to share about it because she is the proof that with not much talent you can become very successful.

Why people need to rely on other to gain their own trust?

Can you just trust yourself and do the best you can do. If your passion is to become a musician then practice your music and try to become the best as you can, but you will need to practice a lot and to commit yourself into your passion. The PDF guide will not be helpful at all...

So instead of losing money by attending workshops where the topic is "how to become a successful Yoga Teacher" or else, first practice, then dedicate yourself to your practice, then start sharing what you know, start teaching it if it is your wish but do not wast your time and money by depending of other "guide". Just TRUST YOURSELF!

No one has the recipe and if someone has it then he can share it for FREE, that will be completely "Yogi Style"!

Be happy, you are the BEST, you are BEAUTIFUL, whatever you want you can GET IT (but you will have to work hard and commit of course), RELY ON YOURSELF, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE OF YOUR OWN HAPPINESS, TRUST YOURSELF because YOU ARE THE BEST!

- Namaste -

Hatha Yoga..... is hard!

Absolutely.

In Hatha Yoga the asana are kept for 9, 12 or 16 breaths. Trikonasana is then very different from 5 breaths to 9 breaths. Instead of going right away grabbing the big toe I do it gradually, 3 breaths bending on the lateral side with the hand above the knee, 3 breaths below the knee and 3 breaths grabbing the big toe.

With longer breath I can feel the stretch of the side of my body. In Ashtanga with 5 breaths I first grab the big toe then adjust the asana but it is not that deeper as it is with Hatha Yoga.

For Uttitha Hasta Padangustasana 9 breaths is then also very hard and it can be complicated if I reach the end of the asana right away, so I do the same, I am sequencing my breath and then my asana, furthermore I do really enjoy the "reseting" pose such as Tadasana between the two sides.

I am also practicing asana that I do not practice during the Ashtanga Primary Series.

I am almost "mastering" Shirshana without the head touching the floor, yes almost because to go up I still need the wall, I first start with the normal Shirshasana head on the floor then I touch the wall my left feet, lift my head up, bring the back of my skull up to my thumb and then find my balance without the head touching the floor, using a lot of core and belt scapula to stabilise it. So far I was able to stay for 9 breaths, was very happy about it.

To my very big surprise Pincha Mayurasana is also coming very nicely, I still need a wall as a psychological support but now I do not need to touch it to lift my legs up, I can also find my stability, then suddenly my brain got disconnected and send the information to my nervous system such as "danger you're gonna fall", then I have to touch the wall...... which give a result of a twisting pelvis and so I loose my balance....

All the previous practice I have done is the result of my new practice. However I know I have to go back to the Primary Series as by October I  will start to practice with Sharat.

But so far a lot of improvement, mentally and physically. Mentally I am more stable, less pissed off for nothing and physically I have gaine weight.... but I have gained muscles and especially around my buttock region, before it was flat now a "bump" is slightly showing :-)

Still happy to practice in Paris and of course still in love with Asana.

- Namaste -

3rd Day, 4th Week - KPJAYI

Starts: 4.45 AM
Ends: 6.45 AM

Variation: Each asana that require an half padmasana or a misalignment of the tibia versus femur bone (such as Parshvakonasana B).

The monsoon has officially started. It was raining this morning and I woke up at 3.45 AM. Took a hot shower, moisturized my body with Ayurvedic oil as I usually do each morning, have my lemon drink before going and by 4.45 AM was on my mat.

It was a really good practice. Today I noticed that some of the students are skipping asanas or maybe they just can't remember the all series. The transition to Utkatasana was not done by some of them while others jump from Baddha Konasana directly to Ubbaya Padanghustasana. So yes it means that once again I was not completely focused on my practice as it seems I am watching others students practicing....

I learned that you should never put oil into your hairs before the practice... could not do Setu Bandhasana, even with a yoga blanket on my mat my head was sliding... 

And today it seems that we were more students.

I really enjoy all morning practices now.

June 12th, Led Class KPAJI Mysore - Sarawasthi

Starts: 6.30 AM
Ends: 8.30 AM

Full class.

My back has been fixed on friday evening from a manipulation done by Rob Lamport, very talented Chiropractor and highly recommended.

My body is still in need of other fixes but this manipulation was really helpful today during my practice - Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana was easier and my rib cage was more open.

Also I have started since last week drinking daily the Golden Milk (Turmeric beverage done with vegetal milk and a bit of honey), it has many benefits such as releasing the muscles cramp and also give a natural glow to the skin as pimples are removed.

Tomorrow for the next 5 days back to the Mysore practice. I really enjoy the class today, Sarawasthi count slowly so we all stay longer in all asana which I really start to appreciate more and more.

I feel lucky to be able to have a daily practice.

Day 5, Sri Pattabhis Jois Shala, Mysore

Starts: 4.50 AM

Ends: 6.30 AM

Stops: Supta Kurmasana then back bend to closing series

It was a really good practice, actually since I have started at Sarawasthi I did not have any bad day.

My hamstrings were painful the last month but this month they are very flexible and this right away from the first sun salutation.

Knowing that I won't be allowed to do the all Series I am lengthening my breath for all asanas.

Actually my obstacle is more about Supta Kurmasana than Marychasana D, because I had several surgeries on both of my knees, and the right knee does not have meniscus anymore, the left knee has a torn external meniscus and it is already a miracle that I can manage Padmasana, therefore what ever happens with my practice I won't be able to bend in Padmasana (half) and twist at the same time for Marychasana D because I directly feel the movement in my knees.

So basically I am not cheating, it is just that for this one physically this asana does not work for me.

I see a lot of improvement in my practice, as I am staying longer in the asana I am doing all Vinyasa on slow motion without any jerk and it brings more stability to my mind and also I am getting stronger. Today I hold Shirshasana for 25 long breath, I was very comfortable, then was able to hold from Shirsha, Urdhva Dandasana for 5 breaths. For me it is a real clear improvement.

On the other hand and completely out of the blue, today I have noticed that some of the students are very arrogant. 

Tomorrow is the day off. Sunday at 6.00 AM led practice.

I am very happy whatever happens!

Day 4th, Sarawasthi and David Roche - KPAJI

Time: 4.45 AM

Starts: 4.50 AM

Ends: 6.30 AM

Stops at Navasana

I am understanding how the system is working.

It is not about the jump back or jump front.

It is not about doing or not all Vinyasa

It is not about the performance

It is about a practice done WITH RESPECT TO THE TRADITION.

Traditionally Yoga was taught from mouth to mouth, from Guru to Student, one asana at a time. Once the asana was done properly, with proper breathing, bandhas and alignment then the second asana was given to the student.

Therefore to become a Yoga Teacher took years and years of practice.

In the West we are wrong, we are all wrong.

So now when I am practicing I stay longer into the asana because I know that anyway I won't be authorised to practice the full series.

Then I am repeating the asanas. 

I am still cheating as I should not even do Navasana because of Marychasana D that I can not properly, my torn meniscus does not allow me to do it. 

My morning practice was beautiful, I really enjoy it!

- To be continued -

June 8th, Day 3 - Practice with Sarawasthi KPJAYI

Starts: 5.00 AM

Ends: 6.30 AM

Stops at Gharbapindasana

Actually I should have stop before but my ego was bigger than me. Sarawasthi came to a student today who was at Supta Padanghustasana. She asks her "Have you done Marychasana D?" the student says yes. Sarawasthi: "Show me".

The student did Marychasana D. She was not able to twist or grab the hands.

Sarawasthi: "Why going further into your practice if you can not do a proper Marychasana D?"....

Student: "...."

Sarawasthi: "Stop here, go to backbending".

The only reason I want to do the all series is to reassure me that I can do it. But technically if I look deeper into my practice and if I am honest and MOST OF IT if I follow the tradition, my practice stops at Marychasana D. 

I can do the half lotus no problem, therefore I can not do the half lotus and then twist at the same time as required with Marychasana D.

If I do the variation then I can twist, but the variation IS NOT THE PROPER ASANA.

David Roche asked me: "Where did you stop yesterday" as he was helping me in rolling back in Gharbhapindasana. I told him "Supta Kurmasana". Then he looked at me and said "then your practice is stopping there".....

Acceptance: I have to accept and deal with my limitations.

Practice: And it all comes, I should not go further if the practice is not done properly.

Satya: I should not cheat. Because I am cheating me and doing prejudice to me not to Sarawasthi, not to David Roche, just me.

And everybody else is following this so why should not I? I am not better than anyone else, unfortunately my ego is still in my shadow.

Was it a good class today? Damn yes, I learn a lot and tomorrow if I can not twist properly (which will be the case) I shall stop my practice at Marychasana D and honore Marychasana for what it was, a GREAT YOGI!

- Namaste -

June 7th, 2016 - DAY 2, KPJAYI

Morning practice: 5.00 AM
Finished at 6.30 AM

I was doing Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana, Saraswathi came to adjust me. Then I got lost and did not know if it was Badakonasana after Supta Kurmasana or Garbha Pindasana (it is is Garbha Pindasana)... so I asked and it was my lesson, do not ask anything ;-)

Sarawasthi assitants did not reply to my question and they finally told me "your Kurmasana was not good go directly to the back bending".

Then I wanted to do the drop back, her assistant told me not to do it.

So I was happy to have done before all vinyasas, I was the only one to do so and I was scared that at one point they will stop me or tell me not to do so, they did not. Some students were looking at me like I was doing something wrong but in the end it was fine.

Tomorrow morning I won't ask any question and will practice silently and hopefully I will be able to do the all series, if not then I will improve my Supta Kurmasana. Actually it was not bad at all, it is jut that I need assistance to grab my hand and bring my foot behind my head, but for the forward fold I am pretty good.

- To be continued -

May 21st, beginning of Week 7

Duration 1h40
Added Asanas: Dhanurasana & Bekasana
Improvement: Hand stand and Shirshasana without the wall

It was a good practice. However my mind is still not stable. That is mainly my problem, while I was practicing I was practicing just Asana and not Yoga as I could not be in the present moment, so basically I was just on automatic mode. Sometimes I was able to concentrate on my breathing but most of the time I was out of my mat, even in the asana during the 5 breathes my mind was flying away....

Instead of wanted improvement into my physical practice I SHOULD STABILISE MY MIND. If I don't do it then there is no Dharana and so I am only practicing a physical exercice that's it.... I need to focus and be there. Today it was really obvious for me, at the end of the practice I felt good because of the physical exercice but not because I practiced yoga. 

This is not the way "Yoga" should be done. I need to work more.

And beside tomorrow is the full moon and on the top of that I got my period.

So no practice for the next two days...

May 19th, 2016 - End of Week 6

Duration: 1h41
No Meditation, no Pranayama just pure asana practice

And it was sooooooooo goooooood! I think I have crossed a major step into my practice, since yesterday my hamstrings are back, I can bend forward without any pain and now I start to really enjoy it.

My mind was very peaceful I was here and now, it was nice. 

I have also noticed that practicing variation for asana is not a good thing, sometimes it may help but at one point the variation should let the place of the real asana and whatever happens the improvement will come.

Today I have practice the Marychasana D without the variation, I can not grab my arm while twisting but on the contrary with the variation I feel more the rotation of the torso, I can really feel my abdominal working as in the variation I can not.

I did the drop back and the hand stand. I do not dare to do all full hand stand without the wall but next week I will try to avoid the wall.

I am feeling great.

May 18th, 2016 - Evening Practice

Duration: 1h40
All Vinyasa

Asana missed: Purvotanasana - There is something about it, this one is the ONE that I am often missing.... 

Improvement: Suraya Namasakara B.

I have understood something today. When I go on the mat I have expectations. I want to improve my jump back and jump forward therefore it can become very frustrating because I don't see anything new about it.

However today I noticed that in Asana in which I was comfortable so not paying that much of attention were actually really improving.

Sarvangasana for instance, I hold it for 25 breaths and all weight is on my shoulder and my triceps.

Halasana has really opened my shoulders. It was an asana I thought I have it but in fact no.

Setubandasana a lot of improvement, my pelvis is higher and weight into the scapula (I do the variation).

Kurmasana, by doing an inner rotation of my femur bone my legs are closer to my shoulder and before I used to have this feeling only when I was adjusted as now I can fix it myself.

So what I learned is in fact I should stop to focus on something when my body is not ready because on the other hand while I am practicing and paying attention of what I am doing I can see a lot of things happening. My shoulders are my open, my upper back is stronger, the scapular belt is more powerful as now I can hold Shirshana with my ears far from shoulder, no collapsing at all.

So yes practice and it all comes but do not have expectation on a particular asana. Just let it flow.

And of course TO BE CONTINUED !

May 17th, 2016 - Evening Practice

Duration: 1h30

All Vinyasa: YES

Asana skipped: NONE

Shavasana: 5 minutes (because of the mosquitos)

Today I practiced at 6.00 PM. My body was slightly more flexible but not that much. That make me think that maybe I have something block on the back of my legs, how comes how can not lengthen my legs completely when bending forward?

I did the drop back bending and I still feel a pain in the lower back but it is not the kind of pain that want to make you stop as it is completely bearable. So I don't know if a MRI is necessary or not....

It was a good practice, I can see and feel improvement especially about the opening of my shoulders, much better than 2 weeks ago and my upper back is getting bigger, more muscles are showing.

Shirshana without the head touching the floor is definitely improving, today I was able to do it without touching the wall at all, I lift from my scapular belt, I never did this before, so for the last few years I was doing Shirshasana with the ears in my shoulders because I thought that I was pushing but now that I am really pushing up I can feel the difference... So of course my trapezius is bigger.

To Be continued.