As a yoga teacher, I have seen the looks of disappointment, contempt and even outrage that cross many people's faces when they realize their favorite teacher is not there. For many people, these emotions run so deep that they miss out on the awesome benefits that having a sub can provide for them.
Benefits of a Sub
Forces you to be present-when you get used to a teacher, you start to practice on auto pilot. It is the same thing that happens when you pull up in your drive way and you don't even remember driving home. You have done it so many times that you check out. It is the same for your yoga class. All yoga teachers, even those who teach classes where the pose order changes, have a signature style and sequencing blueprint that they stick to.
If you really think about it, you could easily list the basic elements and order of your favorite yoga classes. This familiarity that we like also puts us into auto pilot and can sometimes take us out of presence. When you don't pay attention to your body, breath, emotions, and thoughts while practicing, your opportunity for injury goes up and your opportunity for growth goes down. You miss danger signals from your body and learning opportunities from the universe.
You would think that I wouldn't say this because I practice Ashtanga. However, I see the same thing happen to Ashtanga students who are practicing a sequence that has gotten a bit too easy for them. They no longer pay attention and than it is time to add another pose or make their current poses a little more challenging. Check out this post from a fellow yoga teacher, Peanut Butter Runner, that talks about not being present during practice.
Forces your body to move differently- Our bodies plateau when we do the same old movements the same why each time. A sub, especially if they were trained differently then your current teacher, will approach poses in a way that your body is not used to and will awaken muscles you didn't know you had.
Exposes You to Different Poses
Unique insights-There have been many poses that I struggled with that became assessable to me because a teacher explained it, assisted me, or demonstrated it in a different way.
Gives You options-Discovering another awesome teacher to learn from gives you more options for classes to attend
Opportunity to Put Yoga in Action- this is an opportunity for you to practice all that lofty stuff your teacher talks about like compassion, love, contentment, acceptance, letting go, & being with your emotions .
If you think of any more benefits, leave a comment
I don't believe in coincidences. I had a conversation with a student yesterday about how Ashtanga asks us to be strong, and when I woke up this morning, this lovely video of Kino MacGregor, talking about the same thing was on my Facebook Page.
Every day I feel so blessed that my first real yoga, outside of a gym, was Ashtanga. I live in a city where Ashtanga is misunderstood by many, respected by some, and practiced by few. This qoute by Richard Freeman pretty much sums up why.
When the real magic of Ashtanga starts to happen, most people head for the hills. For many people, when it comes time for them to be stronger, they don't rise to the challenge. When I first started practicing, I thought all "real" yoga was like Ashtanga. I didn't run from it because I didn't think there was anything to run too. I just assumed I would be confronted with the same challenges anywhere so I might as well stay. By the time I realized that all yogas were not created equal, I was hooked.
I love Ashtanga because It does not allow me to hide from my weaknesses. The pose does not go away. Every time I get on my mat, it stares me in the face daring me to do what it takes to get beyond it. I am currently in second series and my nemesis poses are
Dwi Pada Sirsasana
Karandavasana
Tittibhasana B
Picture From Blog CronYogiTect.com
Mayurasana (Ashtanga Style Hands Arms together not apart)
It would be so easy for me to just drop Ashtanga and just practice Power Vinyasa Yoga
It is not popular.
I don't make any money teaching it.
These poses are not necessary for healthy range of motion.
I can count on two hands how many yogi's in Charlotte actually practice second series so I can teach 99% of my students without knowing how to do these poses.
I don't need them for Power Vinyasa
If I just practice Power Vinyasa, I would never have to worry about these poses again.
Every pose we do in a Power Vinyasa class, I already know how to do. It is kind of funny, but they only time I come across poses I don't know in Vinyasa class, is when an Ashtangi or ex Ashtangi is teaching a power class or workshop!
I totally understand why even people who enjoy Ashtanga drop it. It is so much easier not to do it!
I don't drop it because I am just not done with it yet.
It is the reason I am so strong.
It is the reason why when both me and my husband were out of work for a year, cashed out our savings and 401 K's, and our house was going to be foreclosed on that I didn't lose my mind.
I don't drop it because when I research deeper into things in our society that are popular and easy, some integrity usually gets lost along the way.
I don't drop it because I love the challenge.
I don't drop it because I love the poses.
I don't drop it because I love the idea of conquering it.
I don't drop it because it makes me feel so good.
I don't drop it because some days it makes me feel bad and the lessons I learn from that feeling don't happen in my Power Yoga Practice.
Kino MacGregor presents another reason not to drop it. To paraphrase, when we surpass our limits, we get a glimpse of the immortal part of us that is infinite and has no limitations. Samadhi, which is the ultimate end for a traditional yoga practitioner, is being one with the infinite. For most westerners who only practice physical yoga, absorbing ourselves in the practice to a point where thoughts cease, moving prana through the body and opening up energy pathways, and seeing the glimpse of our limitlessness through surmounting obstacles, is the only way we get in touch with the divine. Without that, the yoga is just a workout and just like Jazzercise and Tae Bo, people eventually loose interest.
For years I have practiced and taught Ashtanga, not because I make any money from it or because it is wildly popular in Charlotte (its not), but because of its unique benefits. One of them is its ability to crush the ego. Unfortunately, many students don't survive this phenomenon.
Yoga is about liberation from egoic thought and Ashtanga brings people face to face with it quickly. Those who are not ready, quit.
Things Unique to Ashtanga That Cause The Ego To Go Crazy
Not getting any new poses
Person beside you gets new poses
Person beside you just started practicing and they get new poses
Person beside you can do poses you can't do
Person who just started practicing has a "better" practice than you
You didn't get alot of assists, adjustments or "that-a boys" from your teacher this week
You got assisted and adjusted on every single pose
You got called out in class
You didn't get called out in class
Your teacher is making you modify
You want to modify but your teacher won't let you
Your teacher made you do a pose over and over and over......
New teacher stopped you in the middle of a series you have been doing for years
Your ego told you that you don't have the body for ashtanga
Ashtanga is a unique opportunity to let go of the ego and prove that your thoughts are not real by doing exactly what the voice in your head is telling you can't be done which is to continue. The work is not easy but it is rewarding. When we release our egos, our lives become free and we find liberation from the roller coaster of emotions. We become a jivanmuktih, one who is liberated while still on earth.
I subbed the 9:15AM Double Shot Today at Y2 Yoga and we had an amazing time working with floating. My theme today was letting go of fear and floating is one of the best ways to work with this.
When most students jump to the front of the mat, they are only using their legs. If you use your abs, put weight into the hands and lift the pelvis over the shoulders, you develop the strength for floating and handstands. In order to get the hips high enough, you have to go all the way to the edge of falling. That is when we learn to overcome fear.
The students broke up into groups of twos and practiced jumping to the front of the mat and slowly lowering down. There was a lot of cussing, screaming and laughing which is the usual response when people get nervous and afraid. There were also cheers and excitement for those who got it. Below is a video that shows what we worked on. No, It is not me. I don't have the patience for making videos, believe me, I have tried. Epic Failure. I could take pictures like my fellow teachers Jen and Katie but that would be to much like right. You guys should know how much I love Kino Macgregor by now :)
Sharath Jois, the grandson of Pattabhi Jois and the lineage holder for Ashtanga yoga, has written a new book called Ashtanga Yoga Anusthana.
It is a simple, well put together, handbook for Primary Series and includes a succinct summary of the 8 limbs. It is a great reference book for anyone looking to understand correct vinyasa counts and a beginner exploration of the 8 limbs of yoga.
Important points from the book
Ashtanga Yoga does include the 8 limbs and is not just a physical practice-Sharath has spoken many times against people who put Ashtanga Yoga into a physical yoga category by calling it "Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga". The proliferation of this untruth has always baffled me because Asthanga literally means 8 limbs. Why would Pattabhi Jois have used the name if he didn't feel that the 8 limbs were important? It shows a lack of svadyaya, self study. It is particularly scary when so called Ashtanga teachers say this. It is an immediate sign to me that the person does not know what they are doing and I should steer clear of their classes. I feel very sorry for their students.
Break Down on Bramacharya-Bramacharya has always been broken down to mean "celibacy" but Sharath breaks it down into life stages that shed a new light on the meaning of the word.
Gives Students Permission To Not Be Perfect-Sharath shows compassion for those learning the practice understands that things like breathing with the Vinyasa count can be difficult
Sharath is the grandson of the late Pattabhi Jois, the Guru of Ashtanga yoga. Sharath is now the lineage holder and is carrying on the legacy. Sharath rarely does demos so these rare videos are amazing to watch.
Everyone will experience the dreaded plateau at some point. If it happens for a few months, than it is natural and okay. If it goes on for 6 months to a year, than something is wrong. Below are some tips to help.
GET OR ADD A NEW TEACHER TO YOUR LINE UP
A new teacher can see you with different eyes-It is a part of human nature and biology to get desensitized to things and people that are apart of our every day environment. A new yoga teacher can see things that your current yoga teacher may be over looking or may be making assumptions about.
If you want to get over a plateau and take your practice to the next level, you need a teacher who:
-You can trust: If you don't trust them, the next few lines of this article won't matter because you won't do what they tell you.
-Will force you out of your comfort zone: the steady and comfortable seat talked about in the Yoga Sutras is really about seated meditation and lotus, however, even when applied to yoga poses, the steadiness comes with hard work and time. To get out of a plateau, you need a teacher who is going to push you to do things you normally would not do on your own.
-Who will not baby you or allow you to be lazy
-Who will not tolerate sloppiness- A sloppy transition is often a sign of a student who is trying to bypass strength and or flexibility in order to get into a pose or to quickly bypass a transition they cannot do. This strength and flexibility is often what is needed to get out of the plateau.
-Who understands alignment-This doesn't mean that they have a degree in exercise physiology or can name every muscle and bone in your body. This means they have an understanding of how the body works and how placement of bones and use of muscles effect poses. Many times, we experience plateaus because we are not using the right muscles to do the job or our bones are out of alignment.
-Who practices yoga themselves-I, like many others, assumed that yoga teachers practiced yoga. When I actually entered the industry and started teaching myself, I found out that was far from the truth. Yoga teachers can learn the basics of teaching from teacher training but those little tweaks and insights that will get you out of a plateau, are learned from actually practicing.
-Who will tell you the truth...even when it is ugly
-Who will give assists or adjustments-People learn in different ways. Touch,as seen in massage and physical therapy, are recognized as highly effective therapies. Assists and adjustments, done properly, will rewire your brain and body and help you overcome plateaus.
-Who practices what they preach-this doesn't mean that their practice looks like Cirque Du Soliel or they are perfect. It means that that they apply the things they are telling you to themselves.
GET OUT OF THE CROWD..... SOMETIMES
The energy of a packed yoga class is amazing, fun and can be highly transformative. However, if you are getting lost in the class than you will not get the individual attention you need to get out of the plateau.
GET INTO THE CROWD...SOMETIMES
On the flip side, the energy and support of a crowd can also inspire you to do things you would not by yourself.
ADD A DIFFERENT STYLE OF YOGA TO YOUR LINEUP
Different styles of yoga approach things differently and this may be what you need to get out of the plateau. Good ones to try and why:
-Ashtanga(For plateus resulting from strength, stamina, muscle weakness, excess weight and technique): Ashtanga, in the style of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois,takes some of easiest poses in existence and mixes them with some of the most difficult poses in existence in a way that constantly keeps you on your toes. Just when you think you have it mastered, the teacher adds another sequence, pose, or technique that blows your mind and has you feeling like a novice all over again. If you really want to kick up your practice, do it Mysore style. Mysore style Ashtanga is taught one on one in a group setting. It is the closest thing to a private you can get without the private price.
Power Yoga/Vinyasa Yoga(for plateaus resulting from stamina, coordination,excess weight and muscle weakness)- The poses by themselves may not be super hard but they are linked together in a way that gets your heart pumping and your muscles firing resulting in a yoga based workout.
-Hot Yoga(for plateaus resulting from muscle tightness, stamina and excess weight): the heat opens up the muscles quickly and is a great challenge for endurance
-Deep Stretch/Yin/Long Slow Deep(for plateaus resulting from muscles tightness):these classes open the muscles and connective tissues using long holds
-Iyengar/Anusara(for plateaus resulting from technique): These highly technical classes will result in increased body awareness that will help you to pinpoint the exact error in muscle activation and bone placement that may be causing the plateau.
ATTEND WORKSHOPS: In a workshop, the teacher focuses on a few poses or a major technique and breaks them down. Workshops help you to see little small details that may be holding you back.
ADDRESS ANY MENTAL ISSUES THAT MAY BE GETTING IN YOUR WAY
Stories we tell ourselves about what we can or cannot do is the number one barrier to getting over a plateau. It doesn't matter what class we try or what teacher we take on, if the mind is not right, we will not change and transform.
