Being faithful to Santosha

The practice of the Ashtanga Yoga is a very long process.

And it is not a linear one, it is very random. Some days your practice will reach some peaks and you will feel just wonderful about it, asanas that where out of your reach become suddenly very easy to do and others that you used to do without any problem are becoming tricky....

Older pains suddenly disappear giving the opportunity to new ones to arise.

The main thing is not to create any expectations.  Expectations in Ashtanga Yoga Asana practice are the killer of your emotions, a massive weapon of destruction.

Whatever it is happening to you and whatever the result is with your practice you should always keep in a small (or big) part of your brain and nervous system the Santosha concept. Whatever happened you are happy and comfortable with it. Yesterday you were catching, Santosha, today you are not catching, Santosha, yesterday you were pain free, Santosha, today you are full of pain and it hurts badly, Santosha.

Easy you just keep yourself out of trouble and do not let the little monkey playing with your mind.

Unfortunately this is one of the concept that can be unreachable because we are human being.

The society does not apply Santosha at all, we are living in a world in which the happiness is relying on how much you get on your bank account, how much you can buy things and do not worry because if you do not have money the Bank will be here to offer you the best loan of your life with high interests but at least you will be able to buy that new car you have been looking for since you were a kid....

The Society is not happy when people are happy. Because if we live in a world in which we are satisfied of what we've got then the TV, Internet, Social media will always remind you that your are missing something.

We want to live longer but we do not want to look older, no problems at all there is always a solution, you can have a face lift that will change your life, the botox will help you to look younger because having wrinkles does not look good.

You should not be fat, whatever happens in your life you should keep a beach body so the Society will always create a new craze about the new food that will help you to get rid off those nasty tiny bump arising around your waist and cellulite we all know is bad looking.

The TV Reality shows are all about competition. You take a group of 6 people and in order to win the game they just have to betrayed all others participants to show they are better.

You should not be "alone", if you haven't tight the note after your 25 then you might have a problem so the society has created speed dating, and yes it is "speed" dating because it has to be fast, why are we taking so much time to find our other half? It is a shame, better to be with someone quickly who will fulfil your demands as fast as she/he can, because we all know that our happiness is relying on someone else right? How can you be happy if you are "alone", not dating someone? 

I was laughing so bad when I read the article about Gwyneth Paltrow explaining the benefit of the Yoni eggs..... because of course our happiness is also relying on a good  sexual relation ship as well, so in order to make happy your partner please use them....

In this world we have to  be perfect, you want more hairs, extension, more lashes, extensions, beach body, surgery, wrinkles free, surgery, new house, loan, new car, loan, happiness, speed dating and so on....

Therefore our way of life is such a competitive one that applying the concept of contentment is really hard.

What are our expectations when we are unfolding our mat each morning? What is the reflection of our practice linked to our way of life?

You might have been comparing yourself with others instead of glorifying your own practice, you might have been judging teachers and students instead of analysing what was happening deeper inside of you.... what if the "problem" was between you and the relationship with you inner self? Why can you not be happy with the things you have accomplished and will accomplished in the near future? 

That is the process.....

Chasing the next asana..... What did I learn from it?

It is not worth it!!! It is not a good intention and it should not be the one that brings you on the mat each morning.

Yesterday during our discussion group with Iain Grysak I told him that one for the reason I came to Ubud to practice with him (outside of the fact that I came for Him because of his blog) was my desire to move forward into my practice.

By stopping me at Supta Kurmasana I first faced my ego which one gave me tears and anger.....

During the all month Iain really emphasis about the connection between us and our practice and furthermore between us and ourself. Creating THE relationship with our practice.

Be rooted.

From where we root ourself? From Mula Bandha. Mula Bandha is directly connected with Muladhara Chakra. This chakra first start developing from the womb before we were born.....

Therefore in order to be rooted we need to get connected, to meet our inner child.

A child has the quality of innocence and most of the time when we are child, before going to school deeply instead of us we know what we want to do because of our past life.

Then as we grow up and as the society guide us in what is good and what is bad, we forgot who we are deeply inside of us and we start compromising even thought we do not think that we are compromising ourself. We become adult and the school already has shaped us in a form that shall be respectable in order to enter into the adult world.

This was my mission, to meet myself and to act in accordance of who am I deeply inside of me. It is a long process but the good thing is the process has already started.

It is all about acceptance of who we are and it will only happen once we start to practice yoga in an advanced state of mind. The posture is nothing if inside of us we are not connected, this is Yoga not a physical exercice.

So I stepped back from my expectations even thought I was sure I was not expecting anything, I was basically lying to myself and comparing myself with others for absolutely no reason. I did not even know that I was at this minimum state of mind. I am not angry after me but I am surprised about the lies I was able to tell myself.

It is just the beginning of the journey and it took me 10 months to realise it.

***

On the other hand, today Iain told me to come tomorrow for the Full led Primary class. 

So this was the cherry on my cake, I have been graduated ;-)

It all starts now.

- Namaste -

There are 2 schools of Ashtanga Yoga

One is following the teaching of Sri Pattabhi Jois and the other one follows the teaching of Sharat Jois.

What are the main differences?

Easy answer, with Sharat you are required to stop when you can not do one particular asana completely.

Other teachers who studied with Pattabhi Jois don't stop your practice.

However if you are a real beginner you will be mostly stopped at Prasarrita Padotanasana and then you will be required to repeat the standing series from the beginning at least 2 times before going to the sitting pose. Then on the sitting pose you will be stopped mostly at Marichyasana and then going directly to the backbend sequences.

If you are not a beginner, it will only rely with who you are practicing with the Primary Series wether you will be allowed to do it fully or you will be stopped.

However as soon as you start touching the Secondary Series teachers will give you asana one by one.

What are the benefits? You stop "here" vs "you move forward"

First of all when you are not stopped into your primary series because you can not grab in Marichyasana D or can not hook in Supta Kurmasana you are not confronted to your ego and you stay in a peaceful comfort zone. If the teacher notice that you are flexible enough then you will even touch a bit of backbend such as the drop back with assistance which is quite enjoyable and very gratifying!

Therefore when you practice the all series some of the teachers will give you the choice, wether you want to practice full vinyasa or just half vinyasa as Sharat does.

Practicing the all series can actually help you for some asanas where you have some difficulties. As per  Manju Jois when he was practicing with Pattabhi Jois "there was no you stop here, we were just practicing yoga".

I do believe that some of the Ashtangis have forgotten that point because now when you have discussion with some of them they explain you why you should stop here because you are not ready for the rest of the series.... actually there is no such any proof about it. What about the yogis who practiced Hatha Yoga and do all back bending without the sequence of the Primary Series?

What about other asana practice where you are not stuck into a sequence and prisoner of one asana? And if I recall it seems also that the Primary Series has changed from the original form, sometimes you find that there is no Janu Shirshana B or C, more or less Paschimotanasana, more or less vinyasa.

However now Sharat is the authority so people who are following Sharat teach the same way as Sharat wants to teach the Primary Series. If tomorrow Sharat decides that no one need to stop there then everybody will follow. So technically there is no "scientific proof" that stopping at one point will help you for other asanas and is protecting you from being hurt....

I will also add that from Supta Kurmasana going directly to the backbend is actually very hard for the lower back, so if at all there is a logic I could not find it and especially during the led class where you stopped as for during this time your body is getting cold for suddenly going directly in Setu Bandhasana.....

HOWEVER.....

Yes however :-)

I have to admit that by stopping my practice at Supta Kurmasana I am learning more about myself and how I am managing my emotions.

As I know that my practice will be shorten I then take more time in each asanas, creating more space into my body and paying more attention to each asanas that are above my infamous Supta Kurmasana. So even though my practice is shorten the intensity and the intention I am putting into it is 200% more than when I am practicing the full sequence.

I am definitely more focus on my breathing and work a lot more my jump back and jump front without cheating at all by placing my hands on the side of my hips instead of placing them forward in order to jump easily. I use more Mula Bandha and at the end of my practice my belly is completely tight and my lower back is completely flat.

And I know for sure that the day I will grab my hands without any assistance I will be completely overwhelmed because it will mean that I did not give up on this particular asana.

As far as I am into my practice I can clearly declare that the Ashtanga Yoga practice has healed my physical body. Since I am practicing it following Sharat rules my knees are not painful anymore (I had surgery on my left knee where meniscus has been removed, my right knee has a patella into pieces and at one point Janu Shirshana was out of my reach because of my torn ligaments) so after all my injuries practicing the Ashtanga has been the best medicine for me that none of the chiropractor, kine, osteopath and so on I have met during my life which were never able to solve my issue.

I will say that now the Ashtanga system is working on my soul, it is touching some parts of my mind and emotions that I have been hiding for so long, I realise that I never let myself be me, really me, completely naked in his pure form of my being. 

Each morning I have an appointment with myself and Iain Grysak (which I completely highly recommend to any Ashtangis) has open new perspective to my practice. I will never ever forget what he said "practicing Ashtanga is having a relation ship with yourself".

By practicing Ashtanga in its pure form we are facing our demons, our fears, our joys, our happiness and most of it ourself.

However number 2 ;-) 

I have to admit that when I will be back to India I will continue my practice but the full series.Why? Because for instance I am missing Baddha Konasana and I do believe that the asana can really help me to improve my Supta Kurmasana by working on the hips opening. I have also added to my personal practice Bekasana because I am in need of more chest and shoulder opening so that is why.

But of course as soon as I will be back to Iain Grysak or Sharat whenever they will say "you stop here" then I will without any hesitation.

Now the last point of it: if you are looking for an experiment Ashtangi to practice with and under his guidance I can not stop praising Iain Grysak. Each morning I feel bless to practice with him and his pranayama/philosophy classes are just pure joy.

With Love & Light forever!!!

Day 2 - Practice with Iain Grysak, Ubud

If you have to stop in Ubud I highly recommend you to stay at the Gayatri Bungalow. The place is beautiful, the staff is very nice and professional and the owner, Bagsu is an Ashtanga Practictioner, he is Iain student since the last 2 years.

You will have the opportunity to speak with him about the practice and it is priceless.

One view from the back side of Gayatri Bungalow

This morning practice was good. Iain adjusted me in Supta Kurmasana, my fingers touched each other but still unable to grab... big arms? big ass? I don't know but still it is not working. For now I stopped here and go directly to the closing series. But it was a good practice, focusing more on my breathing and my alignment. It was also a good sweat.

Today we have an afternoon session, no practice but discussion and pranayama. 

I feel very lucky and bless to practice here in Ubud and to meet such good people.

I'm 43 Years old - A Yogini in the making

10 years ago I thought I was too old.

I was deeply in love with a guy who clearly make me understand that I was "too old" for him. As a result he married and had a kid from a youngest lady who was 25 years old.

My life was taking a new direction. I was about to leave my comfortable job for becoming a Pilates Instructor after meeting Martine Curtis Oakes on September 2006 who basically changed my life. She does not know about it, but it all started from her.

So I was 33 years old and resetting my life once again. It was my second shot, the first one was when I was 24 years old and move to Canada for 7 years.

I thought I was too old because I felt rejected. And it did got worst when I was taking acting class with Michel Galabru, I was the oldest student and then they were casting me for all role of mother.....

Later on I met my second teacher who did have a huge impact into my life, Gérard Arnaud. He is the one who brought the Vinyasa Yoga in France early in the 80s. At that time I was more into the Bikram Yoga method and was thinking of attending one of their training. Fortunately I did not follow that path.

Ashtanga Yoga came to me later. When I was ready for it.

In 2013 I moved to India after meeting 3 Yogis who provoked a tsunami into my life and by all means changed my way of thinking and becoming. 

I can say that I am a complete different person, I have grown up in a way I never thought it would have been possible. When you live in a foreign country your perspective changed a lot but when you live in India where everything is not the way you are used to with 3 yogis coming from a Gorukulam not even your environment changed but also your approach of life is changing.

In 2016 after practicing on and off the Ashtanga Yoga I have signed an oath with myself. What if from now and then I dedicate all my yoga practice to the Ashtanga system?

And so I did. I started on January at the  BNS Iyengar school and then attended an intensive retreat with John Scott for 3 weeks, from there I did Sarawasti and Sharat in Mysore.

And I am completely hooked to it.

I am 43 years old and more flexible than 10 years ago, not only in my body but also in my mind, my spirit, my brain, my nervous system.

I am 43 years old and I am stronger than 10 years ago, not only because of my new biceps and bigger trapezius but also in my behaviour, my way of thinking and managing my emotions.

I am 43 years old and because of my regular practice I am becoming wiser. I don't really read yogic books because I am lazy and need a good story to be entertain but by my regular practice I do understand the concept of the 8 limbs of Yoga and I completely surrender to the "Sthira Sukham Asanam" of Patanjali.

I am 43 years old and finally I am connecting with myself, knowing me better.

What I learnt since the last 10 years is that it is never too late to start a new project, a new journey. Only the sky is the limit. We should live outside of the boundaries and create our own paths. I am in my 40s and I am living the best part of my life.

The next 7 months I will be travelling to Bali, Thailand and Greece to practice with different Ashtangi (Iain Grysak, Manuel Espinosa, Mark Robberds, Kristina Karitinou).

I will be forever thankful to that guy who broke my heart 10 years ago and told me I was too old for him. It was hard to digest at that time but it was a necessary step.

Can we practice Ashtanga in cold country?

What a stupid question I know.

I am not sweating during my practice, so today I practiced in the afternoon, the temperature was about 25° as it is still the winter in Mysore.

I am amazed to see how much my body has becoming in tune with the weather. I really can stand hot as I can not stand anymore cold. It is my 4th year in India and this winter 2016-2017 is cold, well not cold as in Canada or Europe because still during the day we have 25° but now to me it is cold.

So I am not sweating at all during my practice. In the morning no sweat because it is about 15° and in the afternoon neither.....

In the main shala I was sweating like hell, also we were about 60 students practicing altogether so of course it might help a little bit, but now I do not really enjoy the practice. I like to sweat. Still the practice was good today, body flexible, practiced beautiful backbends, practiced Shirshasana with the head not touching the floor, Pincha Mayurasana was completely under control, so I really enjoyed it and I was fully happy after it but I am missing the hot weather.

Santosha! I am satisfied with what I am doing right now.

Therefore I am full of admiration toward the Ashtangis living in NY, Yukon, Russia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden etc. and still practicing during the winter - for this it takes a lot of TAPAS!!!

Can not deny that the best practice of all time is when you are by the sea shore and then after it you go for swim, this the perfect yogic life and it is so easy to follow it but when you are living in the city to have a real yogic life is really hard.

Tomorrow back the morning practice.

- Namaste -

First practice of the Year 2017!

After a statu quo of a week I am back to the mat.

Lately my practice was not that good, I was preparing for my eyes surgery therefore a week before the surgery I could not wear any lenses, which was really disturbing for my practice, no balance at all, could not see anything (my eyes were about -5,45) so practices were not pleasant at all.

This morning I woke up at 3.30 AM, last evening before going to bed I unfolded my mat by my bed in order to get ready early morning and it was a good practice after all.

Maybe my breathing was too fast as I finished my practice in less than 1h30..... still I have added Bekasana, Dhanurasana and Parshva Dhanurasana, Ustrasana to my practice and in about 1h20 my practice was finished..... I did also Pranayama and Kriya.

In 20 days I am flying to Ubud to practice with Iain Grysak and can not wait about it, very exciting! I also wanted to practice with Mark Robberds in Canggu but accommodation is about 1,920 USD!!! too expensive for me so that is a big no.

I am waiting for another shala in Thailand, they should resume their Mysore Classes by March 2017, I have sent an email and so far no news.

I don't think I will go to Montreal in April, I can not stand the cold anymore. In Mysore it is the winter and I am freezing in the morning and in the evening so I can not imagine myself in Montreal for 2 months knowing the weather over there, I know a snow storm can happen on May!!!

So I'd rather stay in Asia from March to mid-July, therefore I am looking for Ashtanga classes in Thaïland. I did not find anything in Vietnam, Philipinnes so right now I don't know where to go by March..... will see....

Happy New Year for whoever is reading my blog!

- Namaste -

Practice after Sharat.....

Still going on. I have been practicing daily, taking the Sunday off. I have changed my practice from early morning to an afternoon session as mornings were getting colder. However this morning because of the heavy rain I woke up at 3.35 AM and therefore start my practice at 4.30 AM. And it was a good one, actually it was better than the evening practice as I was more focus. The difference with the evening practice is my body is more flexible which is good but my mind is everywhere as for the morning body is less flexible but still in a good shape but the mind is completely relaxed.

I have done 100 stroke of Kapalabathi, I need to practice Pranayama, I don't know if I did good by practicing it like this but it felt good.

Then I practiced Nauli and finished with Nadi Shoodi.

In the end it was a full 2 hours practice. I am doing half full Vinyasa: means that I am doing one side half vinyasa then when the other side is finished I do full Vinyasa. I have been doing this since I stop at Sharat.

Also I have been following the FULL PRIMARY SERIES and, OMG, have upgraded myself to three new asanas such as Bekasana, Dhanurasana and Ustrasana which I am practicing before Urdhva Dhanurasana. And it feels great!

I don't have any pain in my body, all Chaturangas are flowing, I stop to focus on my jump back and jump front at one point it will flow as well. I do feel great.

I have started taking pictures of my face before daily practice and after practice for the last months and there is a huge difference in my eyes. In first picture I looked pissed off while I was not and now my face looks more peaceful. Also my relationship with others has drastically changed. I am calmer. Big changes start to happen, by December 10th it is exactly 8 months that I have committed myself to the daily practice of the Primary Series and in 8 months a lot of changes occurred physically and mentally.

 I am happy :-)

- Namaste -

So close to Supta Kurmasana... but still not grabbing it!

December will be calmer, right now we are in the middle of students going home and new students coming in. For tomorrow my practice starts at 6.00 AM, I am still in the same group.

I met 2 French practictioner but they are living today.... 

I have reached my final point which is Supta Kurmasana, still not grabbing at all so I stop there. The rest of my practice however is absolutely awesome, improving a lot my jumping back and jumping front, a lot of strength and stamina are in my body now. Only my concern right now is my lower back. Really painful.

I have been adjusted in Kurmasana, not really an adjustment but the assistant push my torso gently down on the floor, at first I thought it was not a good idea but I did not feel any pain in my lower back, on the contrary it was really nice.

I don't know how to translate this pain. Is it the beginning of a bulge disk? Hernia? I do not have paint in the sciatica and when I do some backbend it is not painful either. During the forward fold I can feel it but it does not stop me practicing. So I am wondering if this something that I am opening or if it something damaging my back.

The same I was in huge pain about my knee now it is all gone, no more pain at all into my knees. So does that mean that the pain in the lower back is something that should happen and not something that is bad for my body? Have no clue.

Will continue the practice and see what will happen.

  - 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 -

I've been adjusted by Ajay Tokas!

I was in Supta Kurmasana and finally I had the best adjustment since John Scott. My feet were behind my head but can not grab my fingers.... my shoulders are not cooperating into this asana....

Then the assistant help me to lift up while having my feet behind my head, however could not lift my head up so slightly rounding back the upper body.... anyway after all of these I noticed that the "assistant" was Ajay Tokas!!!

And then I realised how much lucky I am :-)

- Namaste -

Useless Led Class....

I am starting the 4 weeks of my practice with Sharat. I have new time schedule, one led class on Monday is supposed to be at 4.30 AM. I won't go..... not because it is too early but because I don't like the led class so why wasting my time of going at 4.30 AM when I can still go to the one at 6.00 AM.

Why I do not like the Led Class?

1. First of all the counting is too fast, when Sharat count is at 5 breathes I am at my 3rd breathe....

2. My practice stops at Supta Kurmasana. Therefore I have to watch others practicing. While my body is getting colder..... which I think it is ridiculous. At one point the led class should be for everyone and everyone should manage all asanas.

3. Stopping in the middle of the practice and to be required to take back the practice on a Backward Vinyasa to do the backbend is a huge non sense!!!! Body colder and not prepared at all.

4. I don't understand why stoping the practice at Supta Kurmasana while some asana are not that "dangerous" for the body such as Supta Padanghustasana for instance and Ubhaya Padangusthasana that gives also a good preparation for Sarvangasana.....

5. I take a lot of frustration from the led class.

And the worst part for me is that we have 2 led classes per week.... Beside as the led class is conducted that fast I do believe that whatever the student level is, he should be able to practice everything. How could you teach the Primary Series in one hour??? Well Sharat does it so it is possible. If you have to teach it in one hour then let everyone practice everything!

Anyway tomorrow I am back to my Mysore Practice. My new time is 7.00 AM and I am really happy about it.

- Namaste -

Kurmasana okay but Supta Kurmasana.... why I can't do it?

My practice is becoming a flow, my body is bending properly, I really enjoy all asanas and I am stuck in Supta Kurmasana. I don't understand why my hands are not reaching each other, I am completely flat on the floor, maybe my legs need to be higher toward my shoulders.

Sharat adjusted my Marichyasana D :-)

It was a good practice but Supta Kurmasana remained a mystery. I will watch some video on Youtube and see what I can get from it.

- Namaste -

Practicing variation of asana does not and did not help (me)!

Then I am getting confused....

Practice, practice and practice and it all comes. Guru Ji was right.

Absolutely!

For years I have been truly believed that because of my short Achillis' Tendon I will never manage to bring heels on the floor for Adho Mukha Svanasana.... I have been practicing it with bricks for years. Then John Scott corrected it by telling me to slightly round my upper back and lengthening from the lower part and suddenly my heels were on the floor..... As a result I have been in real pain the all month of practice with him, my hamstrings muscles were so painful I could not even bend forward properly for the next 2 months. It was my path.

I have been in excruciating pain during Sarawasthi practices for one full month regarding my left knee, I thought it was because of my meniscus, too much practice was not that good for my knee.

So then I started practicing only variation for Parshvakonasana B and Marichyasana D. She allowed me to do it and so my ego was very happy as I was "able" to practice the all series.

Since I am not allowed to practice any variation with Sharat I start to practice both asanas as it is supposed to be.

As a result: no more pain at all in my knee (both of them) and now I can practice these 2 asanas perfectly without any help of any block, strap or even assistance. Marichyasana D came to me yesterday evening,  I could not even believe it myself!
I had to run downstair and show it to Trupta. Of course it is not the perfect one but a least I can twist AND bend at my knee WITHOUT ANY PAIN at all. So yes it is possible.

Marichyasana D

Creating space in the body

No offense but it is like loosing your virginity. Suddenly you are opening one part of your body with a new range of movement that your muscles, tendons, joints are not familiar with. Your nervous system is not even aware of it, as a result a signal of pain and awareness to it will be send to the brain. Then only the practice is starting.

You are opening a door but is blocked from behind, you need to push but slowly, no need to rush, do not try to open the door half way, if at all you have to open it do it fully and properly which means : DO NOT TAKE ANYTHING ELSE THAN THE PROPER KEY TO OPEN IT! (no props!). Do not break the lock, but try to open it!

It will take time.

It will take days, weeks and maybe months. It will be painful yes because during the process of opening and creating space you are filling an unexplored gap, a virgin country, you need to tame it a little bit.

Understand the Asana:

In Parshvakonasana B, if you are doing the variation with the back heel lifted and the knee facing down there is no doubt that you will be able to twist without any problem. However the lift of the back heel won't help you to open your hips and to work from the rotation of the femur bone as it is supposed to be done in the final version of the asana.

As a result, yes you are twisting and bringing the hand on the floor - no it is not the asana at all. You will need to work harder to have the complete version. The balance is also very different and harder to find from a lifted heel then a heel on the floor.

Practice the full asana and whatever you are twisting enjoy it and explore it!

No Ego during Asana practice

As a result my practice is stopping at Supta Kurmasana. Since I have been seriously practicing it I feel pain in my lower back and I do understand it. Daily I am asking my body to bend forward with an external rotation of the femur bone in order to try to bring the feet behind my head. For it I need to lengthen from the lower back in order to give more space in between my hips. It will take time but it has to come naturally, no need to push.

*****

There is not need to rush. As for my personal experience variation does not help.

If you are breaking the lock then you won't be able to close the door again, it is a one way useless solution.

- Namaste -

Today Sharat spoke to me! :-)

"Your practice stops here" (Supta Kurmasana).

That's it!

I am having beautiful practice and I am glad to build my foundation, I do not feel (anymore) that I am a "loser" because I am not allowed to practice the all series, on the contrary I am improving each asana, working deeper all my vinyasa, exploring Trikonasana A & B but more important really enjoying each pose!

On another hand tomorrow I have an emergency extraction of one of my tooth. I am happy because I do believe that it will drastically improve my health. 

For the rest everything is fine, I love the practice and really enjoy each minute of sweat on my mat!

- Namaste - 

"Technique was not good" - Sharat Jois

Today I was almost able to manage alone Marychasana D. I was in the first row and Sharat was looking at me as I was smiling of happiness, he told "You see, technique was not good, that is why it is better to learn from the source!".

I was happy :-)

In Supta Kurmasana wether I can grab my fingers or wether my feet are crossed, but both at the same time is not possible. Needs to improve, slowly but surely it all comes which make me very happy.

It was a good practice. Tomorrow is a led class.

- Namaste -

Breathing in certain part of the body is very helpful - Mysore Practice

Starts: 8.45 AM
Ends: 10.10 AM
8 Sun Salutation A for 10 Sun Salutation B.

General Feeling: AWESOME PRACTICE!!!

Yesterday could not go, I had to skip it because of the flu, it was very bad, could not breath at all. I slept a lot and went to bed by 8.30 PM. As a result this morning was awesome, still a bit of a flu but nothing to compare.

I deeply sweat, the shala was sticky, the winter is coming in Mysore which resulting in a lot of rain and humidity, therefore the floor in the shala was sticky, the windows were full of water inside and outside. As soon as I was on my mat after 3 Sun Salutation I was completely wet, even sweating on the front mat.

I have been helped for Uttitha Hasta Padanghustasana, it was nice, I can now do a full split standing up, no pain, just a nice stretch.

Janu Shirshasana C was easier than before, rotation of the ankle without any problem.

Marychasana D has been adjusted, I am grabbing perfectly my hand and can hold the asana for longer breathe, still I can not manage how to do the twist without any help.... don't understand it.... but it will come.

Supta Kurmasana was my limit, can not grab the hands, can not cross the leg properly so directly backbend series and closing series.

It was a beautiful and awesome practice.

I still have the feeling of "wtf am I doing there", while I was waiting my turn to come in I was watching all of the beautiful awesome advanced practitioners and it brings me down... even thought when I was on my mat the energy in the shala is so high that it is bringing me up.

I shall not look and compare myself to others but inside of me, deep inside of me there is the child I was when I was looking for attention from my family and could not get it. Same feeling, not that I want the attention but more that I do not feel myself at my place surrounding by all of these Ashtangis. 

Practicing with Sharat is not an ego booster, practicing with Sharat is more about stepping back/down and learn about humility and how legitimate we are by teaching Yoga. Am I really eligible to teach it to anyone? I should not even ask the question to myself as it will dragging me down....

Better to stay on the feeling about my practice, it was a beautiful and enjoyable practice, can't wait for tomorrow morning!

- Namaste -

Where are the students???? - Mysore Practice KPJAYI

I arrived today at 8.15 AM, there was no traffic at all and Vishaw our driver was driving fast... too fast actually I told him to slow down.

So as soon as I arrived there was no line up, I came in and Sharat asked me at what time is my schedule, I told him 9.00 AM and he said come in... there were many free spots, only 1 student on the stage and many free space.

During the all practice the shala was not pack at all, no line up at all.

I don't understand... where are the students?? I am wondering if everyone is really following the 6 days practice or if some of them are just choosing the days when they want to practice.

Tomorrow is led class so of course it will be packed but as the day go by during the week the shala is less packed....

My practice was okay, it seems to me that the adjustment I am receiving in Marichyasana D are getting harder and harder. I wish I could have back the first adjustment made by the first assistant but each day I have a new one. Today it was really hard and painful, my foot was pressing against my thighs right to the femoral vein and on both side. I cans still feel it as I am typing my blog.

During the twisting I could barely breath and on the left side I could not find my balance at all. This asana is really hard, for sure I can not do it on my own.

However I have noticed that Navasana right after Marichyasana D is just a piece of cake, legs are lighter so I do believe that Marichyasana D is a good preparation for Navasana and the binding required is bringing the flexibility to perform Supta Kurmasana so in this way there is a logical reason why Marichyasana D has to be done before going to Kurmasana.

In fact the Primary Series is very logic anatomically speaking, that is why it is important to respect our limitations and not to go forward if we are not mastering one of the asana.

Today is our day off in the Ashram, no class so I am having a massage which will be very much welcome.

Sunday is my day off for my Ashtanga Practice and I do believe it is well deserved!

Tomorrow after the led class there is a conference given by Sharat at 9.30 AM. Usha texted me so I will attend it even thought I don't know what will be the subject. It will be interesting for sure :-)

- Namaste -

Mysore Practice, 3rd day - He said Navasana!!!

It was a very good practice.

I am scheduled for the 9.30 AM practice but have to be there for 9.00 AM. I came at 8.45 AM, the traffic was good. No line up outside, the line up is inside before entering the main shala.

I sat there with other yogis. We were all observing others practitioners and I was thinking "what the hell I am doing here? I am not like them? I am not advanced at all!!!".... I was very intimidated. 

Then Sharat said "2 more" and something very weird happened. Everyone was looking at each other saying "oh you arrived before me, just go" and the other replied "no you go...". Then Sharat came at the door and said "so you are all there but no one wants to practice?". Then finally 2 more came inside.

Yes we are all there, we are waiting to come in but when it is time to go no one moves because by watching others we are getting shy.... the human being is extraordinary!

After 10 minutes it was my turn.

I started my practice trying to focus on my mat but could not restrain myself to watch other beautiful yogis practice. If you want to practice with high level Yogis this is the place! So many advanced practictioner it is insane, I never experienced this before. After a couple of Sun Salutation (I did 14), I forgot everything and was really into my practice.

Then Marychasana D came.... and one of the assistant came and adjust me. No pain at all, beautiful adjustment, I grabbed my fingers and managed to stay there for 7 deep breaths, it was very comfortable. She helped to do the other side. I felt good, it felt  good, I was happy.

Sharat asked the student "is she grabbing?" student said "yes, with help" then he said "Navasana"..... and at first I did not record the instruction. After my Marychasana I started doing right away Urdhva Dhanurasana. Then I realised that he was telling to go to NAVASANA!!! and I was "Wtf??? am I stupid or what? he told me Navasana and I am doing the back bend.....". Anyway it was too late, I folded my mat and went in the other room to do the closing series.

So tomorrow I will go until Navasana and I do believe that I will be stopped to Supta Kurmasana as without any help I can not bring my foot behind my head.

I will highly recommend to anyone who really want to commit into a yoga practice to go there, the energy is awesome and having the privilege of practicing with such good practictioners give you wings. 

Can't wait for tomorrow, my schedule has changed I am now for the 9.00 AM practice.

- Namaste -

Theses are the rules of the Shala! - Second Day practice

Morning Led Practice, starts at 7.30 AM. No closing mantra, Shavasana for 2 minutes and thats it. Kindly Usha offered me a place in the front row.... in between all amazing practitioners, most of them are practicing the secondary series I am sure of it. I started the practice stressed which is not the goal of any Yoga practice. I thought "what am I doing here?".... 

Of course I have been stopped at Marychasana D. After a good sweat I was on my mat watching all of theses amazing practitioners. Once my body got colder it was time to go back for the backbend series. At least Sharat should let us do the Vinaysa in between each asana if we have to be stopped in te middle of the series, because it is the best way to hurt yourself, doing back bend when your body is not warming up enough.... anyway it is the rule of the shala.

Another rule: You CAN NOT PRACTICE in the shala with this yoga blanket mat:

Don't waste your money buying it, you can not use it in the KPJAYI Shala....

Really??? So then why do THEY SELL IT into their Yoga shop???? When I did practice with Sarawasti it was not a problem but Sharat said that these mats are not allowed in the shala... what is the exact reason of it? No clue.....

Third rule: You CAN NOT PRACTICE in the shala with a Yoga Mat printed with the sign OM on it. As the lower part of the body (feet) will touch it, this is not allow in the hindou religion... however I thought that Yoga was not a religion and not connected with any religion....

So anyway theses are the rules of the Yoga Shala in Mysore. At least they should add a note on their website to let people know about it.

Tomorrow my practice starts at 9.30 AM. Since I used to wake up at 4.00 AM I think I will do a baby practice early morning before attending the Mysore class and also since I won't be practicing the full series I think it will not hurt me at all.

- Namaste -