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
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.
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