Film - Free The Mind

“Directed by Danish director Phie Ambo, Free the Mind premieres at the Rubin Museum in New York on Friday, May 3 and is expected to open in many major markets throughout the summer, so look for it then.”

Can hardly wait!

The Difference between Sukhasana, Siddhasana, Padmasana

Traditional meditation cross legged sitting postures. The most done and most traditional used all over the world is: Sukhasana. The next is Siddhasana. And only rarely, Padmasana.

Sukansana – sitting “easy cross legged” pose.

This is “easy” because it is simply sitting cross legged.

Siddhasana – sitting with toes tucked into thighs or set the feet side by side keeping the knees wide.

Siddhasana is a little more difficult than Sukasana and is a cross legged pose where you tuck your feet into your thighs (between thighs and calves specifically), or lay your feet side by side (on the floor in front of you) keeping the knees wide: a wide kneed pose. Which means that it can only be done when the hips are more open, and it can help open the hips even more than simply sitting cross legged.

Padmasana – sitting with feet on top of thighs tucked close to hips

Padmasana or lotus pose is the most difficult of the seated “meditation” poses. It is done by tucking the feet up on top of the thighs and close to the hips: a closed knee pose. Which means that the knees are closer together and can be done when the hips are much more open than the other two. It is not easy to get into and takes a great deal of practice to make sure the knees are protected.

These are important distinctions. All three are available to use – but please practice especially the last two, with a GOOD teacher – one who knows the difference between the three poses.

Once you practice all three poses, the differences and the benefits of each will become clear.

Please keep yoga asana names and terms correct.

Peace!

I miss going to Mysore classes...

I miss my Mysore classes. I miss the feeling of doing yoga in a room with people who are doing similar things. Although it was not a very communal atmosphere; everyone was there for themselves really. So was I. It just felt really good to be in your own practice with people around you. I practice at home alone now. Different. I've been doing that for about 9 or 10 years now. I've become my own teacher finally. I thank all my teachers and teachers of the lineage for their work and guidance throughout my first 20 years (off and on) in my 30+ years of practice.  I keep you in my heart.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

It is difficult these days to teach and discuss 'traditional' yoga - like Ashtanga, Iyengar, etc...because of this notion that only if you feel happy, elated, and bolstered, empowered during your yoga class are you doing something worthwhile. The whole idea that if you're not feeling that way, then you are somehow still "burdened by the pressures of everyday life" as one yoga (Anusara) teacher put it; that by virtue of the style of yoga that is perhaps more difficult during class somehow does not let you "rediscover that belief in infinite possibility" (as another teacher put it). I say - Bullshit.

I have always said that Anusara and the like have usurped the heart out of the other practices, and as a heart-felt, sincere, mindful practitioner and teacher, I do not appreciate it.

The Heart is in ALL Traditions of Yoga Practice (including Asana, Meditation, Satsang, etc.)

I am so tired of how Anusara and all its clones take away the joy that is inherent in the practice of yoga postures in all its traditions - even if it is not "playtime" in an Ashtanga class. It is so apparent that these teachers have abandoned the traditional yogas for the sake of appeasing their own egos. Truly, we are not kids any more and that notion that we must somehow get back to that, is a fallacy. It's steering those people who want to deepen and give birth to their true selves in the wrong direction. As 'adults' we know too much to become children again. And yes, we have a lot more responsibilities to actually be able to act like one and get away with it. But through the difficulties of life, we have a choice to make - either we hide behind the tricks of the ego acting like we are spirit which only accepts 'goofing off' as a way to be 'happy'. Or we can accept ourselves and others in cultivating a no-nonsense, present centered consciousness which sees things for what they are and in that find the burden of the pressures of everyday life lifting in the face of the truth. That is freedom. In becoming unburdened this way, we find true freedom, with that we are 'happy'.

The Way to Happiness

Unburdening yourself of the constraints of an ego that can't face 'ordinary', sometimes boring moments is the work of true yoga and is made accessible by embracing all aspects of yoga not only asana. Meditation, reading thoughtful spiritual books (not only the Power of Now. C'mon!), going to a really good therapist that recognizes Spirit as a part of our worldly experience, etc., all help to open you up to those 'infinite possibilities' beyond the pacification and gratification of our ego-ic nature.

What is really scary and really exciting about it all is that it takes years! Not months. Really, the work to unravel you; what you've built up over the years to protect you: your defenses, your opinions, your preferences all must dissolve to make all of this work and it's quite a journey. You don't entirely get rid of the ego (see my other writings). You need your ego to survive. So the first real step is to cultivate awareness. How you do that by convincing yourself that there is nothing you need to work on, is beyond me. Somehow though, it is thought that if you admit you have things to work on, you are admitting to being irreversibly flawed. That there is something 'wrong' with you. That you are unworthy of love and attention because you are not perfect. That, my friends, is the first thing to work on. It is not awful to admit to yourself that "I can be a real bitch/bastard sometimes". It is actually pretty freeing. And it's scary at the same time. Still, just because you grow to accept that about yourself doesn't mean you go around being one. Go toward the fear, the dislikes, the repulsions. See what they can teach you.

We Are All Perfect In Our Imperfection

There are many aspects of ourselves we don't know and won't know if the idea of admitting to our flaws repulses us. So the next step is acceptance of yourself. Can you accept that you are not perfect? And that Perfection IS in the acceptance of all that is you! When you accept that can you accept that people aren't perfect. That means everyone. If you can open your heart to that then you are well on your way.

Surround yourself with those who know that it is not readily accessible in just a few months. When you are with others who know, then when your ego flares up because it is fighting for its life, those around will show you the way to go deeper. Trust them even if what they say 'hurts' you or 'insults' you - that's a good way to tell your ego has a hold of you.

The Playground That Is Yoga

There's nothing wrong with being playful. In fact, all of this is play in one way or another. The key is to pair your asana practice with counseling, reading and meditation. Ask questions and accept guidance. Be wary of those who tell you to ignore or forget about the dark and move only into the light. Be wary of classes which only stress to appease your tendency to look for distractions and your ego-ic nature's incessant whining. And as well, be wary of those who say yoga is about being stern. Even the most disciplined class of Ashtanga, practiced with an open heart can be light-hearted and very loving.

The wonder of it all is that when you do this then there is joy. When you can stay focussed and present in the most difficult, challenging posture (for you) or situation, there is elation. When you can accept guidance and assistance without expressing arrogance, there is love. When you can look at yourself without criticism, there is peace. Let YOGA teach you this. Then life will be so much fun!

This was inspired by this blog post: http://yogaspy.com/2011/07/22/hooping-and-the-hybridization-of-yoga-in-america/#comment-4309

Asana Practice: Urdhva Dhanurasana

Yes. It has always perplexed me - Urdhva Dhanurasana. Even as I take the pose it is not very comfortable for me. I don’t feel ease and I can’t stay in it long. It took me years of concerted and sincere practice to even get me here.

I never learned from someone who could do this posture well. They are the kind of teacher who can’t believe you can’t do it. You know the teacher that says, just do this, or that, and they think it’s that easy. I had one teacher give up on me. That didn’t feel good.

So I took what I knew - by that time 20 years of practice, and started to practice on my own (doing it for 12 years now), and didn’t rely on a teacher to see me through. What I learned about my body: what it could do when I moved into things the way that it needed to, was a real eye opener. I learned a lot and my body opened up considerably after in the years that I’ve been teaching myself. I always told my students that the people with the most difficulty in postures are the lucky ones. We are the ones that really feel our bodies open and change and even tighten up again. We learn that there is an ebb and flow.

So it taught me that for me, Urdhva Danurasana was always going to be a challenge and the things like  Kapostasana, might not ever come. But it doesn’t mean I don’t venture into that realm of back bends - I keep practicing. There are days when I can feel what it’s all about. And then the next day it’s gone. I accept that about my body and that’s what yoga’s all about. Isn’t it?

So absolutely go slow. Ease into it. But most importantly - move as if there was no where to go. No goal in sight. Just keep expressing the energy of back bend, or forward bend, or inversion, or any other type of posture you’re doing. Doesn’t matter if it ‘looks’ like you are in the posture perfectly, it matters how deeply you can go into the feeling of the energy of the posture.

Ask me about anything: If you’re struggling with any posture including backbends, send me a note. I’d be glad to assist. 

Variation of Leg Behind the Head Pose...

Variation for leg behind the head pose. Working into it and stopping along the way.

I love to do this variation of the leg behind the head posture. Took me a long time to get here. When I’m here I feel a certain kind of freedom in my body and mind that only comes from the kind of practice that will get you here. For some people this is a posture that comes simply and naturally. For me it took about 10 years! Think about it…

Early morning Ashtanga yoga class, Oakville ON

Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga Classes Oakville ON.

NEW CLASSES ADDED

TUESDAYS &  THURSDAYS 7:30am ASHTANGA! All Levels

Starts week of OCTOBER 9th/11th - 8-week program. $100/class session. Sign up today!

PLZ call: 905.845.2332 - Leave a message. (name, number and which class you'd like to join)

Tuesday 10:30am - 12pm Ashtanga - cancelled

Tuesdays 7pm - 8:30pm Rockin' Vinyasa - Vinyasa class with great contemporary music! Level 2 running

Wednesdays 8:30pm - 9:30pm - Vinyasa Core - Vinyasa class with focus on Core work! Not to be missed. Level 1/2 running

Thursdays 11:30am - 12:45pm Vinyasa Core All Levels - cancelled

All classes held at the IGITA studio on Lakeshore in Oakville Ontario.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

Ashtanga and Vinyasa Classes in Oakville Ontario, Canada

Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga Classes Oakville ON.

Starts week of September 25th 12-week programs. Sign up today!

PLZ call: 905.845.2332 - Leave a message. (name, number and which class you'd like to join)

Tuesday 10:30am - 1pm A-Z of The Astanga Primary Series (12 wk program) All Levels

Tuesdays 7pm - 8:30pm Rockin' Vinyasa - Vinyasa class with great contemporary music! Level 2

Wednesdays 8:30pm - 9:30pm - Vinyasa Core - Vinyasa class with focus on Core work! Not to be missed. Level 1/2

Thursdays 11:30am - 12:45pm Vinyasa Core - Vinyasa class with focus on Core work! All Levels or an Ashtanga class (we'll see which class everyone wants) All Levels

All classes held at the IGITA studio on Lakeshore in Oakville Ontario.

Christine U at the Shama-Bhakti Yoga Centre

I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore (well I'm mildly perturbed...haha)

Most of the time when I search for yoga sites for someone to follow because there is a resonance with their approach to the yoga practice: that, it is true and unencumbered, I can't find any. Pages upon pages are full of people doing 'stunt' yoga like that's where it's at or all about.

I'm getting really tired of it. You're just a bunch of showoffs. Really. Big deal, you can bend over backward and kiss your own ass. Big deal that you can put your leg behind your head. Big deal that you can do a handstand! Any circus freak can do what you are constantly bombarding us with on your websites and your blogs. And I don't think they're (the circus freaks) doing "yoga". They're creating a spectacle that is the circus.

Yes, I can do most of it. There are still things I struggle with daily. But that's what teaches me.

Yes - it looks pretty. BIG DEAL. Do you even know what yoga is? I don't think you get it. Yeah yeah, you're so impressive, that you can do that. Whoop! But that's what it's really all about for you isn't it? You crave for attention. For people out in the world to look at you and say, oh, I want to follow you. You're gorgeous or remarkable (because they are saying to themselves, I can't do that - so you must be great.) And stop blogging the perfect beautiful photo of yoga. Take a picture of yourself doing a pose. Yeah! That's part of the teaching. Would you dare to show yourself in a not so perfect pretty pose? Would you? The real learning of yoga is to get over that...as a individual, as a business, and as a culture.

Show me you're not perfect. If you want to keep showing those pristine shots on your website, then that's fine just don't call it YOGA! It's not yoga.  For crying out loud. Enough already! It's fouling around with what looks like yoga postures. And please don't write me about how a yogini wouldn't get mad. I am channeling 'Kali". You know Kali - the hindu goddess of creation and destruction! Sometimes things must be destroyed to create something new. And it's about time!

Please send me your not-so-perfect-yoga-asana-pic, I'd love to see it!

Don't look toward the goal...

Constant practice alone is the secret of success.

Quote from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Dear Bill...

William Broad - You seem to poo poo the spiritual aspect of yoga which is the essential part of yoga. When you divorce the physical from the spiritual then you are dealing with the ego only - I won't get into it, but that's what gets you in trouble. You, not yoga. When the ego drives the work in yoga (any part of it - BTW, yoga is not just the physical work - asana), then you get injured. You said it yourself, with all the pretty flexy girls in class doing crazy postures, you said, you couldn't help but follow and try to match them. I would think that after 40 years of practice you would know better; You would see that you are imposing a structure onto the practice that isn't really there (except through your own need to impress or something like that - or the teacher's need to push you for some reason). Any teacher worth their salt would have let you know that you are treading into dangerous waters and it is you who's deciding to go there. In fact, if you did yoga with the spiritual/philosophical aspect in mind you would have known that through your readings. But you obviously don't. Yoga is very scientific - traditionally. There is a reason for everything you do in the more traditional practices. You do get results. But when taught wrong through lack of knowledge or an imposing ego (teacher or you), it all can go horribly wrong. Yes people have changed the practice of yoga - too much in my opinion. And really if you listen very closely, you will hear the little whine from those that change it for their own needs, into their own image. I say, you don't have to change a thing. Just because someone's a teacher/guru doesn't mean they know what's what here or in India. The depth of the practice has been almost lost and we are usually paying lip service to someone else's ego's notion of what yoga is. That is wrong to me. Changing the practice is thinking you know better. Changing the way we teach is recognizing the depth of ourselves. Much different. You can read thousands of books on yoga; they're out there, go to a million classes there's enough of those to go around too. If you are still looking without instead of within, if you still think you know better instead of earnestly trying to shed all of your resistance to the teachings, if you treat yoga less than what it truly is and has to offer, you'll never find what your looking for - a deep, meaningful, challenging, mind-blowing, humbling, life-affirming and joyful practice of yoga.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/magazine/how-yoga-can-wreck-your-body.html