Subtle Bliss

Good Dog

2011-11-13T15:36:00.000-08:00

For any yoga practice to be both sustainable and beneficial in the long haul, it needs to do a few things. Physiologically, one of the most important things is to work the abdomen and lower spine.

Many spiritual traditions focus on this area of the body for its contemplative and physical benefits, (the "hara" in Zen and martial arts, for example) and even beyond that is the proof of practice. By keeping the abdominal organs healthy and the lower spine supple, this focus takes care of a large percentage of the health needs of the body.

I'm totally biased, but the vinyasa movements of Ashtanga address this incredibly well. Chaturanga contracts and strengthens the abdomen and lower back; Up Dog stretches the muscles and tissues of the abdomen while extending the back; Downdog compresses and then releases the abdomen. These movements are paired with complementary diaphragmatic movements that augment the expansion/contraction rhythm.

While most of us are focusing on whatever posture/movement is at the forefront of the practice—Marichi D, Kapo, Dwi Pada, or whatever— these fundamental elements are taking care of so many of the background systems that operate below awareness. You may be working on getting the leg behind the head, but in the meantime digestive, lymphatic, immune, sleep, and many more systems benefit from the vinyasa "glue" that holds all the postures together.

In many ways, the Ashtanga system is Chaturanga/Updog/Downdog or Exhale/Inhale/Exhale or Contraction/Expansion/Release interspersed with periodic breaks…you know, those other postures. These movements alone have great, deep benefits.

The dog posture sequence begins the Ashtanga system in Surya Namaskara and holds it together throughout the seated sequences. The elements of that therapeutic loop appear again in what could be considered the peak of the Ashtanga system: tic-tacs. Relative to the abdomen and lower spine, Downdog/Handstand/Urdhva Dhanurasana is a slight reshuffle of Chaturanga/Updog/Downdog elements, but inverted and with far more depth and intensity.

Personally, I keep coming back to this part of the body and of the practice. Beginners are mentally and physically distant, with attention (at best) in the arms and legs. They feel the work of the arms in Sun Salutes and the pull on the calves and hamstrings in Downdog.

But with practice the awareness moves steadily deeper and becomes centered around and finally through the midsection. An advanced practitioner well knows the feeling of a deep seated forward bend releasing the belly back and back and back until it seems to disappear into the spine, or the residue that remains after deep back bending: a light, liquid energy that seems to hover and flow all the way through the belly and back.

2012 Teacher Training

2011-11-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

We are now enrolling for our 200hr Teacher Training Program beginning June 2012! Tapas is a 200hr, Yoga Alliance registered yoga school and training program. To assure you individual attention, we limit the class size to 10 students. Contact us for more information, or to receive an enrollment application.

Tired

2011-10-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

Ashtanga yoga makes me tired. It should be making you tired as well, or you're missing something. When I first experimented with Ashtanga using some David Swenson photocopies, it didn't make me tired. At all. And, it turned out I was missing something: the vinyasas :-/

Since then, as a student and teacher, I have seen "Ashtanga yoga tired", which comes in many, many forms. Here is an illustrative, though not exhaustive list:

Pregame tired: The yoga bag feels heavier than it should and rolling out the mat is really, well, quite a lot of work.

Panic tired: It's the first jumpback and the arms tremble and groan. You just make it back to Downdog. Blankly staring at the ankles, a cold sweat breaks out. 89 more minutes?!? I've made a huge mistake.

Utthita Hasta tired: Nah, you're not tired, that one's just hard. (see "Navasana tired")

Eyerolling tired: Puh-lease.

Pleading tired: It's just that I carried a lot of groceries two days ago, and I think my arms are still tired. That's why I'm so exhausted, see, and…oh, ok…we're…jumping…back again…

Angry tired: Usually starts with the evil/stink eye, and perhaps some Ujjayi that sounds a lot like pouty sighing. May progress to internal talk: On my life, yoga teacher, I will get even for this. *personal favorite*

Optimistic tired: Usually occurs around the Marichis: Hey, we're almost there!

Navasana tired: Oh, right, I forgot.

Backbending/Handstand/etc tired: Like driving around the lawnmower in the autumn until it dies, you burn up every last bit of fuel. Usually the teacher helps. You think fondly back to Navasana and how spritely you felt.

Closing Matra tired: What—are—the—words to this?—something something Om something something

"Take rest" tired: zzzZZZZZzzzz…

Bliss tired: The perfected state of tired, it's that afterglow that follows you around after practice. You may not be able to raise your arms above your shoulders, but you can't stop smiling. Also known as "wrecked," "cooked," and "ruined."

As long as you are putting some energy into anger, optimism, panic, or any other sort of reaction, it's not all going into the practice, which means your probably not tired enough yet. But you will be…

Kino

2011-10-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

Here's a great little video from Kino MacGregor. :)

tapas Open House!

2011-10-10T17:53:00.000-07:00

Yay! We are full steam ahead planning our first open house at the new Shala, this Friday, October 14th from 5-7pm. We have lots planned for this night! Evan will present an advanced asana demo and two of our current teacher trainers will present an Acro yoga demo. There will be food, a raffle, friends, class pass specials, and good times to be had by all. Hope to see you there!

Karandavasana

2011-03-10T13:41:00.000-08:00

Some postures take longer to learn than others…and this one is killing me. Quick recap: forearm balance, fold legs into lotus, lower legs to arms and hold in a weird arm-balance-on-the-forearms position and then…and THEN…lift back up, straighten legs, jump back.

That sh*t is hard. I've been doing handstand press-ups for a few years and yet the strength to exit the posture continue to elude me. It has to be one of—if not the—most strength-based posture in the Ashtanga system (any series).

But I'm figuring it out.

Gregor Maehle's book on the Intermediate Series breaks this one down into five or so stages. The gist of the approach is to only lower as far as you can and still get back up after five breaths, which will eventually give the strength to do the full posture. I really like this approach better than the traditional Mysore approach of collapsing into the posture and needing a strong assist to get back out.

In part, I like the former better because I don't always have an assist available, but mostly I like it because I think it actually teaches the posture more effectively. Collapsing only leads to panic and reaction; the discipline of the second approach really makes me think about what's going on, and to notice the subtleties happening during the lower down, especially the shifts in balance. This is crucial, because all of those things have to happen in reverse to exit the posture.

There is something entirely different about the posture because you are balancing and lifting on the forearms instead of the hands. On the hands, with the arms straight, so much of the integrity of the body is supported in the arm bones, in that part of the skeleton being lined up and locked. But the with elbows bent at 90° or more, the act of being held off the floor is essentially performed by the triceps. Yikes.

And yet, it is pure bliss to work and work and work. Primary Series came easily, so it wasn't until Intermediate that I really became acquainted with the essence of Ashtanga: invest in the process, disregard results. With postures this difficult, there is little other choice.

Horizontal and Vertical Progress

2011-01-16T18:05:00.000-08:00

Ashtanga vinyasa yoga has an obvious, linear progression. As you master a posture, you add another posture. The difficulty of postures steadily increases, as does the challenge to your endurance. Adding postures, making the practice longer and smoother, being able to accomplish more and more difficult postures: these are all signs of progress.

But sometimes you get stuck, for one reason or another. For example, personally I had a period of about six months of working to achieve basic competence in Kapotasana (catching the heels) when I didn't add anything else—stuck. I'm also just coming off twelve months of injury—stuck. There may also be times of illness, very busy life situation, held back by a teacher, etc—stuck. And in truth, Ashtanga is structured so that everyone is always "stuck" on something. Other than the necessary period of "integration" when a student has completed a full series and just practices that as a unit for six months or so, there is nearly always some posture or skill that is not ready for primetime—dropback/stand-up, for example. This aspect gives Ashtanga a certain edge that is complete intoxicating…but I digress.

All of the above—adding postures, etc—we can call "horizontal" progress. The "stuck" periods reveal the potential for "vertical" progress. Vertical progress is adding depth, it is the practice experience becoming fuller, enriched with attention to details that have otherwise been obscured. This may take any form, but is usually one of the aspects of tristana: vinyasa (movement and breath), bandha (internal attention), or drishti (gazing point). It is as if, by being "stuck," the mind can stop reaching for the next posture and suddenly you find that there is a little bit of surplus attention. After enough practices, the same routine can be done with just a little bit of attention left to explore something new…where to rest the eyes, for example, or the realization that for this particular posture, you should be counting the inhales, not the exhales.

When, as a student, you read about tristana and consider it intellectually, it seems tedious, laborious, and artificial to try to remember to pay attention to so many things at once. But simply knowing that it exists, that those elements are all to be integrated sooner or later, means that when the day arises that there is attention to spare, you are ready to smoothly take a hold of whichever aspect has been missing; it simply arises organically. This is a great example of the David Williams quote: "Before you've practiced, the theory is useless. After you've practiced, the theory is obvious."

Tristana

2010-12-31T09:38:00.000-08:00

There is an aspect of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga practice called tristana. Like "yoga" it is both a practice and the state achieved through the repetition of that practice. I'm hoping to get up a few blogs that will look at tristana from a few viewpoints, all of which have emerged organically from practice and teaching. First of all, though, let's lay the groundwork with some definitions and background.

Other than good ol' blood, sweat, and tears on the mat, I have learned the little bit I know about tristana from study of books on Ashtanga and, to a lesser extent, study with Western Ashtanga teachers. In something like 15 total weeks spent with Sharath, to my knowledge I have not heard him discuss it, but this isn't much of a surprise. He has his hands full; at any given time at least 50% (usually more) of the students at the shala seem to be relative beginners in the sense that they are working on Primary and possibly the first third of Intermediate. Remember that additional techniques (eg Ashtanga pranayama) are not taught until at least the completion of Advanced A, so I usually consider that students are beginners until at least that point.

Tristana means "three points of attention" or, maybe "the union of the three points of attention." "Yoga" can mean a technique or a state, but usually means a technique; "tristana" is the same, but usually means a state, a state of flow attained when everything falls into place just right. However, it can also more pragmatically be used to discuss incorporating the various strands of Ashtanga practice.

The three points of attention are vinyasa, bandha, and drishti. In effect, this is at least four points of attention, as vinyasa includes ujjayi breath + correct movement in and out of asanas. Bandhas are the physio-energetic points of attention along the central axis of the body, just above the perineum and in the lower part of the abdomen. Drishti is a specified gazing point for each movement. So, for every moment of Ashtanga practice, there is a specific breath, body position, internal focus, and gazing point. When, through repetition, these individual, effortful elements of experience coalesce into an effortless, absorbing state, it is called tristana. Tristana, in my humble opinion, is what gives Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga such depth and challenge.

Some historians of contemplative traditions point to a distinct shift in religious ceremony in Indian history. Ancient shamanic cultures believed that their ceremonies drove the universe, and therefore invested time and energy into performing rites properly to ensure the crops would grown, the seasons would follow one another, the rains would come, etc. Over time, these ceremonies become more and more intricate and at some point, the priests began to realize that perhaps the only element of the ceremony not yet under control was the state of mind of the priest. Thus contemplation entered spiritual practice and ceremony.

Similarly, each individual passes through most of the stages of his or her species and culture, in condensed form, during the lifetime. There is a point during Ashtanga Vinyasa practice when one realizes that in attempting to manage all of the separate pieces of breath, posture, count, gaze, etc the most important (and slippery) element is the mind and, in fact, it is the influence of the mind that all of those separate elements aim at anyway.

There is a paradox in that moment, for it becomes clear that the thinking mind can in fact only focus on one thing at a time. Like a smartphone it can keep several apps running, but only one at a time can really, truly be at the forefront at a time. The only way for these elements to come together and be held equally in attention is by weaving them together in an absorbing experience, one that goes beyond simply "thinking about" something. This act transcends the thinking mind.

Just the Three of Us

2010-08-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

Usually, we have two of everything. Two mats, two coffee cups, two beers, two towels, two toothbrushes, etc. We like it that way, thank you very much. But for the last few days, there have been three of us.

We took Matthew out to lunch yesterday and had a great time (portobello sandwich with fries—er, chips, if you're curious). It doesn't sound like we will be hosting a Sweeney workshop at tapas anytime soon, as he's moving quickly out of the traveling yoga circus business and trying to set up fixed month-long courses in Byron Bay, AUS and Thailand. Still, it was great fun to be out-nerded in yoga-nerd talk.

You'd think Matthew would want to talk about anything BUT the y-word, but he keeps bringing it up. Funniest story: pissing Guruji off by doing a difficult arm balance perfectly on the first try. "He said 'Uh…correct' and waddled off to get somebody else." Funniest yoga observation: all of the "old-timers" (long-term Ashtangis) are perpetually crabby from the sleep deprivation of getting up too early. "They said it's more holy. I say 'Bollocks!'" Tonight will be another potluck at Fran and Kathy's house. The last one was a blast, so we're really looking forward to this one.

Fridays are supposed to be self-practice days just like Mon-Thursday, but they are to be "adjustment free." In practice, this means that each of us does our own thing, including Matthew. You'd think everyone would come out just to watch him practice, but you'd be wrong. Friday mornings are a ghost town, and today it was just the three of us from about 7-9a. Pretty fun. Still not sure who it was that farted…

K and I are both "splitting" on Mondays and Tuesdays and practicing Intermediate Series only on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and then either Primary or Moon on Fridays. "Splitting" means doing Primary up to Marichyasana D or Baddhakonasana and then beginning Intermediate Series.

We've been told to only do half of the jumpbacks during Primary, based on a rule that goes something like: "If you CAN do all of the jumpbacks, then you don't HAVE to." Presumably, this is specific to the phase of adding on Intermediate postures. It IS nice to have a little left in the tank when getting to the difficult middle section of Intermediate. K is working on Karandavasana and I (E) have been stopped at Nakrasana, though I do a pretty lame "knee friendly" Karandavasana modification.

One distinct thing about Matthew's teaching is that he likes students to emphasize the backbending section of the practice. Standard format for a Primary-level student is three press-ups, three dropbacks, and then assisted backbending. He suggests doing four or five of each of these things, as well as prefacing each with one or two modified, easier versions (half-bridge before press-ups, half-bends before dropbacks, etc). Both K and I are right in the thick of learning hand-stand dropovers, so also in our practice are a few exercises for this, which include headstand/forearm balance dropovers and handstand half-bends. I'm exhausted just typing it all. It DOES, however, make for a sweet, sweet rest at the end.

K continues to wow with assisted Tiriang Mukhottanasana (standing backbending all the way around to hold the ankles/legs). With Matthew's help, she is catching close to the knee—imagine a person bent around backward, holding the knees with the hands, shaped like a capital letter "P." It's usually quiet enough in the room to hear the Rice-Crispy pops of the spine. Wicked!!

One weekend of workshops left. Tomorrow (Sat) will be lead Simha (Lion) sequence in the morning and a technique-based inversion workshop in the afternoon. Sunday will be Pranayama and Meditation. Next week we expect to learn the Lion sequence, which we will then practice over the next year or so with Matthew as correspondence teacher. Things will wrap up on Thursday, with Matthew, Fran & Kathy all leaving town on Thursday night.

Maffew

2010-08-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

One week into this one month yo-cation with M Sweeney and things are going very well. In our limited experience, the traveling yoga life seems to have certain common elements: hot climate, small quarters, early mornings, friendly people, and lots and lots of coffee.

Basic schedule—

Sunday afternoon: Pranayama & Meditation
Monday-Thursday morning: Mysore-style practice
Monday afternoon: Teacher Training
Friday morning: Mysore-style practice, but "adjustment free"
Saturday morning: Led class
Saturday afternoon: Technique workshop

There are no more than 25 students here for the bulk of the program (Mysore practices & workshops). The weekend workshops can be attended ala carte, so those have a few more students. Some students will only be here for the first two weeks. We have met students from other parts of North Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, and Alaska (!!). The studio hosting Matthew is Ride the Breath, owned by Fran Slavich and Kathy Hallen. The studio is located in the back of their house just a stone's throw from the east part of the Duke campus here in Durham. It is relatively small and wonderfully intimate. The morning practices are warm (not hot) and moist.

Matthew teaches both Ashtanga sequences (he has mastered the first four) and his own sequences from his book Vinyasa Krama. Mysore classes are much different than with Sharath. For one, Mysore classes here are limited to 15 people (there are probably about 10 in our 8a time slot) so attention is the norm. There is quiet conversation, levity & joking, and none of the gravitas (and pseudo-gravitas) of KPJAYI. It is that environment we try to create: genuine but not (necessarily) serious. There are students working on Matthew's first two sequences (Moon and Lion) as well all four of the Ashtanga sequences that Matthew teaches. Fran is 2/3 of the way through fourth series, something he talked about at a potluck and he Kathy hosted on Friday night. A few notable quotes:

"I'm about 2/3 of the way through fourth and I don't know if I'm going to finish. I'm 48, and that shit is hard!!"

"Mulabandhasana is the first posture. It's 530 in the morning!"

It has been a bit jarring to slip into what is ultimately a very comfortable teacher-student relationship with Matthew. K and I both realized that we were operating from a Sharath mindset at first, and therefore found a few things off-putting:

1) Matthew remembered who we were.
2) Matthew takes an active interest in teaching. Creepy…

A little hyperbole there, but our experience here so far has truly been the opposite polarity from the gruff, Indian experience.

We are both at about the same place in practice: Primary is good and we'll probably be learning the rest of Intermediate along with Intermediate backbending (handstand dropovers with control) during the next two weeks. We then expect to learn the beginning of the Lion sequence during the last week. Unlike the Moon sequence, we have not dabbled with the Lion sequence on our own (except in subjecting our students to sections of them in Vinyasa classes!!), but have heard rave reviews from Fran and Kathy.

Two bits of tapas news…we will begin instructing the Moon sequence to interested students upon our return, especially in Mysore classes…we have tentative plans to begin early morning Mysore sessions this fall, so start getting up a little earlier to get ready…

The end is nigh

2010-04-07T00:15:00.000-07:00

“Tomorrow you come. 430. BOAT!” (Tomorrow you should both come at 430.)

The last week of shala practice stretches before us…Time seems to accelerate here as numbers dwindle and thoughts turn to home. It is strange how the process of ending our study here (decreasing classes sizes, farewells to friends, packing up, etc) interacts with feelings about studying here. We feel ready to return home, but that is due in large part to the fact that the “season” is ending. We are staying until the end of the party, and it’s nearly done. Yet, it also feels that, under different circumstances (e.g. Sharath were not taking a break) we could easily stay for another four months (six months is the maximum for any one trip). In many respects, this ending of the yoga “season” is the exception: Guruji taught virtually unceasingly for nearly 60 years. Usually, students stay for as long as they can and when they leave the shala is still running at capacity, and continues to do so while they resume their home lives and think about the next trip.

There is that twinge of sadness when anything so anticipated and enjoyed ends, but there is no alternative: there is something about the culture of the shala and, in particular, the bearing of Sharath, that states clearly that this is not about staying indefinitely. He is not supportive of the yoga bum lifestyle. He does not want students shirking responsibilities or foregoing a “normal” life to simply live here. What he wants to see is a stability in and integration of the practice both here and in a daily home life, whatever that may be. We have heard from other senior ashtangis that one of Guruji’s main qualifications (perhaps the only one) for granting teaching authorization was the witnessing of a transformation in the person by practicing at the shala and, especially, NOT at the shala. Sharath also hinted at this when he mentioned “seventh and eight series’: marriage and children.”

The final student conference ended with an appropriate topic: guru and sadhaka (student). In his usual oblique way, Sharath did not directly say that he chose this topic because all of his students will soon be leaving, but the connection was clear. Surprise, surprise, dear reader, but Sharath has NOT tried other forms of yoga, nor does he have any interest in doing so. He feels what he has been taught is working for him. He also feels that his students, if they feel what he is teaching them is working, should stick with this method, returning to study with him and/or other senior ashtanga teachers. We couldn’t agree more. The difficulty is determining what is meant by “working” and distinguishing between the inherent discomforts of the system and true pangs of change when it is time to look elsewhere. Unfortunately, it is ultimately, entirely, up to you.

Before long the serious tone of conference was gone and it was again time for Sharath to bust a move (or two). This time it was Sirsasana B: the “lift-up” headstand, plus some other variations. Hard to say why Sharath is so eager to demonstrate these days: perhaps because he is more proficient in asana than English, or perhaps because he knows what we all want to see. All we know is people get damn excited when he takes off his shirt and ties up his lunghi!

It was also a great final registration with Sharath (we had to pay for our last two days). Steeled for a desperate attempt at an actual conversation, we found him to be open and willing, if not eager, to talk. We shared out “situation” (no authorized teacher for 200 miles in any direction), asked about his break (going to Africa to take some wildlife pics), and ended up looking at quite a few of his pictures. The man loves big cats. The pictures were really pretty impressive: of lions and wildebeests, tigers and elephants. He also showed us some of the “over 300” asana pictures he has had taken of himself at the old shala in Lakshmipuram. His mock secrecy about these pictures (“for a ‘project’”) quickly dissolved and we ended up with quite a scoop. Read on…

After nearly three weeks with barely a glance, K has been given five postures in nearly as many days. Today she practiced up through Kapotasana. Sharath then asked how it went for her and, basically, if she cheated in Laghu Vajrasana (the posture before Kapotasana) or not. She claimed innocence; however, tomorrow it will be down to the nitty-gritty: “You show me.” Being moved this far into Intermediate Series (Kapotasana) was the “best case” scenario before the trip, so it’s satisfying. However, it’s a hell of an intimidating posture, especially learning to dropback straight into it, as is the practice here: lean back and catch the heels before putting the elbows (or hands, for that matter) down.

I (E) have receive no postures, but plenty of $hit from Sharath: “This NOT ashtanga yoga” (remarking on my ardha baddha padmottansana modification); “Wery bad garbha pindasana” (repeated three or four times until I realized he was talking to me); etc. I think he was maybe expecting that I wouldn’t still be modifying… There is no doubt that I am the only student doing any modifications who has also been granted any (two) Intermediate postures. His comments are not the cuddly, supportive atmosphere we might expect in the West, but some how—the sadomasochistic tendencies of ashtangis—it is part of the allure. His comments are pretty half-hearted and really, if he’s not giving more postures, what else is there to say? Don’t worry Sharath: I ain’t mad at ‘cha.

As Sharath gets ready for his break from teaching, we are looking forward to our return to it. It is very difficult to say why coming here helps teaching: we haven’t learned any new postures or adjustments or applications, or anything like that at all. To some extent the immersion back into being a student renews the import of the teaching role. In other ways the shala itself is inspiring: there is a depth and solemnity amidst the superficial, frantic energy of the practice space on any given day. Finally, strangest of all, there is Saraswathi. As a teacher, she’s just so damn HAPPY all the time, bopping around the shala, backbending students, humming to herself all the while. When you come up out of the deepest backbend of your life and see her smiling face, you can’t help but grin stupidly, feeling the scream die in your throat.

We are saying goodbye to our friends Vanessa and Vikram. Last week the silence of the shala was broken during Vikram’s backbending with Sharath. It started off with the usual exchange when a student is just learning to grab his/her own heels/ankles.

S: “Walk your hands.” (In toward the feet in Urdhva Dhanurasana). “Good, now catch.”
V: Claws his way into holding his right heel.
S: “Walk. Other side. Catch!”
V: Reaching…reaching…desperation mounting…finds the left foot and gets a grip. S: “No, no, that is MY foot!”

Ok, back to “the scoop.” The asana photos Sharath showed us included some recognizable poses, but also some very advanced postures, almost certainly fifth and sixth series: hovering in chatvari w/ the legs in padmasana (only the hands on the floor), each foot in the same side armpit (dwi pada yogadanasana?), etc. As he showed us the pics, we guessed about the “project”:

“Are you working on a book?”
“Yes. Maybe one or two years. Many things I want to say.”
“There are many yoga books.”
“Yes. Many of them are crap.”

Soon, ashtanga yoga returns to the Quad Cities. No crying!

Hell yeah

2010-03-29T03:18:00.000-07:00

All signs in Gokulum indicate that the yoga season is winding down.

Sharath’s last day teaching will be Friday, April 9th. Saraswathi will continue teaching keeping the shala open until the end of April, and then again beginning in June. Sharath will run the second annual session of teacher trainings (invite only) in June and July, and then resume teaching in mid-August. Many students are already planning their next trip back, even as this one winds down. And for the time being, winding down is certainly what is happening.

We’ve watched students depart and noticed smaller and smaller classes on led days and waits on Mysore days. This week Sharath cancelled the second Led Primary class on Sunday, as the number of students has dropped enough to fit them all (though not exactly comfortably) into one class. Direct result: less haste from Sharath in turning over the room to the next group, meaning Sunday’s 430a class had, according to Sharath, “longest savasana since January.” This is true, but not all that remarkable, as many led classes didn’t have any rest, and often not even a closing chant. We will reregister one more time, as our current registration will expire two days before the end, and in all likelihood end up with a 430a start time on Mysore days, beginning with the first group of the morning. That will also be the last and best opportunity to say whatever we have to say—if anything—to Sharath.

The posture distribution (or lack thereof) is forever an interesting and entirely useless topic of conversation. K’s long drought ended this morning when she was given two new postures. She is now up to parsva dhanurasana. There is loose talk about using that last reregistration time to ask to Sharath for “help” with the postures up through kapotasana, in effect requesting more postures. Usually asking directly is a serious faux pas, but the ways in which students ask-without-asking are myriad. (Read some thoughts on this by long-time ashtangi Matthew Sweeney here.)

Most common is to simply do your last posture over and over again, giving Sharath that many more opportunities to notice you and your obvious need for the next posture. Some students who really make use of this strategy seem to be stuck in a loop and, especially if they are on the mat next to you, it can take a few cycles and some mild deja vu before you realize that time is still passing for everyone else. Another strategy is making sure to get Sharath, not Saraswathi, for backbending.

A quick recap: in backbending, the typical procedure is three “press-ups” (urdhva dhanurasana) from the floor coming up to standing after the last one. Then three cycles of dropping back and standing up. At that point, you wait for the assist, standing at the front of the mat with your arms crossed (the signal). Most people want to get Sharath for this, because he will often use the opportunity to give another posture. Accomplishing this (getting Sharath) is often a matter of avoiding Saraswathi by: adding extra dropbacks, going to the locker room, fixing your hair/mat/clothes, doing your own improvisational “warm-ups,” and generally keeping your eyes open so that you can appear ready if Sharath comes near and not ready if Saraswathi is near. Be warned, though, Saraswathi is cagey. She’s less than five feet tall and moves through the room largely unseen. Many a yogi has confidently crossed the arms in the “I’m ready” signal upon seeing Sharath approaching, only to have Saraswathi spring up out of nowhere.

Both of us have made peace with Saraswathi’s assists and have made significant progress with her help. This simplifies things and avoids the most significant risk in using any of the stalling tactics mentioned above: Sharath may come over and tell you to hurry up and finish, because people are waiting. This means: “Hey, I see you already and I’m not going to give you a pose, so let’s wrap this thing up.”

As this season draws to a close, we’re saying goodbye to the students we’ve met, and the far greater number that we don’t know, but recognize and therefore have developed a system for referring to. So, to Incense Lady, Sleeveless, Line Cutter, Guy We Thought Was Fabio, Tiny Shorts, Line Cutter’s Friend, That Awesome Chick, Fashionista, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Boris, The Bobsey Twins, The Russian Mafia, Old Hollywood Girl, The New Hollywoods, Guy w/ the Baby, Lululemon Bra, and so many others: we can only guess at your names for us; see you all again soon.

We’ve wrapped up a busy week (for us, for Gokulum), the highlight of which was surely a five day anatomy course with Noah Mckenna. Noah is one of the yogi/entrepreneurs here who does not study at the shala, but comes into town when the numbers at the shala are high. He teaches anatomy courses and gives individual body scan/typing & yoga therapy sessions. We found the anatomy course very useful, with just the right combination of information and application to keep it relevant and interesting. Focusing primarily on the skeleton, musculature, and nervous system we talked a lot about kinesiology and the impact of body types and movement patterns on posture. Also inherent were some indirect but significant challenges to the rigidity and, in some ways, poor sequencing of the ashtanga vinyasa system. Noah kept these subtle, obvious-but-unstated conclusions to be drawn, of course, not wanting to be run out of town, but as a yoga therapist who sees many ashtangis come in with MRIs and blown out joints the universal application of the system and especially its tendency to breed blind faith must be, at times, bewildering. It may seem odd, but we love these challenges just as much as—in fact, probably more than—the hero worship, and fundamentalism in the air. It seems that the more we get to know the inherent limitations and flaws of any given system, the better students and teachers we can become.
So we are enjoying the last few weeks, indulging (but not too much) in all the favorites: Hot Chips, street noodles, mangoes, etc., saying things to each other like “Just so you know, I’m up for Gobi Manchurian anytime.” We are systematically working our way through the list of chats (snacks) at Gokul Chats, the best little restaurant in town. We’ve pegged the best dosa joint and know where to get gossip and coconuts in one spot. It’s a strange place to be at times, perhaps most analogous to a college campus. There is a diverse but small (relative to the size of the community as a whole) population here for one central reason. Within the larger Indian community there is a modest infrastructure to support the yoga population and most students exhaust all the opportunities in that infrastructure in a number of weeks. It can become claustrophobic or even boring if you’re not careful. Luckily, we are.

And…we're back

2010-03-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

This brief blog hiatus was brought to you by Indian stomach flu/food poisoning/ick.
Another week has passed in Mysore and I (E) haven’t seen the inside of the shala since leaving with chills halfway through student conference. Digestive problems—what we might call “stomach flu” in the states, though in this case it’s definitely bacterial and not viral—is a risk and on our last trip we both fell ill after eating some fruit from a street vendor. This time was better, as only I got sick, but it was also worse, because I was really sick. Anyway, to shorten a long story, after some antibiotics and rehydration at the Gokulum hospital I’ve gradually improved all week (with wonderful caretaking!) and think I’m up to returning to the shala for 430a led class on Sunday.

Word is that the numbers are quickly dwindling. Sharath’s last teaching day of April 9th is fast approaching (though he has since announced that he will resume teaching in mid-August of this year) and many students are finishing up and leaving. This means that most students with any level of experience are getting in to practice by 630a or so. It also means there is a terrific logjam of students from about 530a on. Sharath’s policy seems to be “You wait so I don’t have to;” as long as he can say “One more!” and have a student quickly appear out of the waiting room, he doesn’t much care about shortening your wait time, so he has moved a huge number up students up to 530a. It is just as it used to be at the old shala with Guruji in Lakshmipuram. There it was the legendary wait on the stairs outside, with some students cutting in line and vying for position, or simply being called in out of turn by Guruji. Just like at that time, in the end everyone gets to practice and is almost certainly humbled by it.

Speaking of which, we were very excited to see the arrival two weeks ago of Alex, a very advanced student we first saw two years ago. At that time we saw him practicing at least part of the fourth series (Advanced B), which makes him the most advanced student we have seen. I, for one, distinctly remember seeing Vrschikasana (forearm balance with feet on the head). That was two years ago, so we are waiting to see what he does this time.

For advanced students (those proficient in two, three, or more series’), it seems standard to build into capacity: each student does Primary for the first week, Intermediate the second, Advanced A the third, etc until reaching his/her threshold, depending on how many times they’ve been. Alex has been doing Advanced A this week (seemingly his third week). It’s not clear whether such students follow the daily schedule here (Intermediate on Sunday, Advanced A on Mondays, etc) or if they do what other students do: their most advanced, “leading edge” practice every day, periodically receiving new postures. For us, it can be hard to do your own practice while constantly gawking at another student—especially if you are across the room from one another, for example—but we’re getting good at it.

Like anyone proficient in a skill, advanced students have a “style.” Alex does’t have the same powerful, gymnastic presence of some other advanced students, but is light, poised, and, seemingly, completely unaffected by the difficulty of the postures. He is also great fun at student conference, and often spends nearly as much time talking as Sharath. There is a great and obviously long-standing relationship between the two, and they often tell stories about one another. For example, Sharath said that at one point Alex said to Sharath “I want to see your asana practice.” Sharath said that that was impossible, because he practices at 230a, but Alex insisted. (You’ve got to love anybody with the stones to do that.) So one morning Alex came over and watched Sharath’s practice. “Such advanced postures,” Sharath said, “that just seeing them, he became enlightened.”

We celebrated the Hindu New Year on March 16 by having some kind of sweet flatbread with our landlord and family. It’s great fun to experience a set of holidays “from the outside” and take in the traditions in complete novelty. Also a wonderful random moment in the marketplace: as we were buying some fruit, a sadhu (a wandering holy man) shuffled over. He looked the part: white hair and beard, walking stick, barefoot, naked to the waist. He was hunched and little palsied with age, with a face absolutely lit up with a beatific smile.

This is a tradition we obviously cherish, so we are cautious not to be taken in by the many charlatans in orange robes, but we both had the sense that this guy was the real deal. He seemed somehow totally apart from the craze of the market and everyone in it. He shuffled over, used a long thumbnail to pinch red tikka powder from a bag, smeared bindus (forehead dots) on us, and then rested his hand on top of each of our heads for a moment (he was so small and hunched we bent down for this). Beautiful.
Finally, one more funny story, completely unrelated. Our friend David (who has since gone back to Toronto) told us about the last years of Guruji teaching. Guruji officially retired in 2007 though for some time before that Sharath was shouldering most of the load (there are stories of Guruji doing things like dozing in his chair during Mysore practice days). David said that he was in some of these Mysore classes in “the later years” and it was not uncommon to be in, say, a standing posture like Utthita Parsvakonasana and feel Guruji’s old-but-strong hand on your shoulder, side, or head. Expecting an adjustment, you would be at first surprised to see Guruji moving on to the next student—only to realize that Guruji was not giving adjustments, but instead using the students as support to cross the room. Getting a handhold wherever he could—shoulder, side, head, arm, or whatever—he would lean on one and then grab the next, like a horizontal rock climber. No disrespect here—the man was in his 90’s—but that makes for a funny visual, Guruji walking/leaning/swaying through the room, his touch at first bringing excitement, then confusion, and then possibly annoyance from each student as he bounced from one to the next.

Guruji is no longer around to wreak such havoc in the practice space, but Sharath’s youngest (two-ish) does his best, tearing into the room at any given time, echoing his dad’s count at the top of his lungs during led class, or banging his plastic cricket bat against any given thing in the otherwise quiet room. It’s hard to keep a straight face when you are in, say, setu bandhasana, reclined with the head back, shaking with effort and you suddenly see tiny, sneakered feet creeping by with all the care and caution a two-year-old can manage.

Five Weeks In

2010-03-12T04:32:00.000-08:00

Re-registration went well. It’s a little awkward being alone in the office with Sharath, and we never know what to say, and you have to pay in cash and it’s thousands and thousands of rupees so you have this cumbersome, ridiculous wad of bills and you have to count it all out and then Sharath runs it through this bill counting machine and you can’t help but be sort of put off by the money part of it, as if that somehow taints everything, but of course THAT’S stupid, and if we could only think of something to TALK about to break the awkward feeling in that tiny office…and then it’s over. We were officially moved up to 630a, and within two Mysore practice days are sitting at 530a. There must have been quite an exodus of students in the last few days, with more arriving to fill in the later times as the students who have been here for some time move earlier and earlier into the morning. Also, strangely enough, Sharath used the re-registration time to assign me (E) Krounchasana.

Sunday proved to be quite an interesting student conference. We have not been typically impressed by student conferences in the past. They are often vague, with few questions, or with questions that Sharath doesn’t really address in specific. For whatever reason, this conference was different. Sharath was in an expansive mood and talked in specific about breathing and bandha techniques. Over the course of a few follow-up questions about how to work in the lower belly, he stripped to the waist and demonstrated uddiyana bandha (lifting and stabilizing the lower abdomen) as well as a jumpback from padmasana, saying “Now, can you do chatvari like that?” It’s nice to be taunted by your teacher. No comments about visas, so we’re guessing it’s all good for the time being.

Sharath also talked about Guruji’s final days (he died in May of 2009) as an illustration of his (Sharath’s) understanding of the purpose of practicing yoga postures: cultivation of equanimity. Though Guruji often comes up during conference, there is usually an element of deification that makes it feel superficial and saccharine. This time, however, Sharath talked with poignancy and objectivity about “this 94 year-old-man” in the hospital, being stuck with needles, in obvious pain, but serene and gracious. It was more than a student saying the obligatory things about his guru, it was a man talking about watching his grandfather in his final days and being truly surprised and inspired by the composure and mastery he saw. Sharath studied under Guruji for something like 30 years, and their bond must have been remarkable. The spontaneity and candor of Sharath’s words about Guruji’s death brought this home more powerfully than anything we have read or seen before.

It has been a nice, long week of Mysore-style practices, with no moonday getting in the way. K continues to work on the no-touch jumpback and in general we’re both working the jumping aspect of the practice intensely, as always. We are both catching the ankles consistently during backbending with both Sharath and Saraswathi. My knee continues to slowly, slowly stabilize. We’ve had some discussions with other students about injuries, and have come to appreciate something we already knew: they can take a long, LONG time to heal. One person described tearing a psoas muscle (!!!) during “hangbacks” (standing backbending practice), an injury which took “a good three years” to heal.

When practicing at this level and intensity, it is virtually inevitable that injury will happen periodically. That said, it may be useful to qualify and flesh out the understanding of “injury,” which in this context is more nuanced than usual. No doubt there are good old-fashioned injuries—as in pulled, broke, or sprained something (this current knee injury is one of these). However, in other cases a yoga injury is often the peak experience of an imbalance, or a blazing beacon to draw attention to a dead zone in the body, or a strong (possibly perceived as violent) shift in the body. It would be nice if opening/awareness always progressed slowly—it usually does—but occasionally the movement is abrupt, the way that decades of slow, imperceptible adjustments in the Earth’s crust lead to a sudden shift. After the body has healed/pain has resolved, what remains is balance and awareness, but it can be rough going in the middle of it.

With good reason, this process not often discussed by yoga teachers, for fear of encouraging recklessness. It is mostly in advanced postures that this sort of thing occurs. One student who is beginning Advanced A under Sharath was given Kasyapasana (supine leg-behind-the-head). As Sharath adjusted him in the posture, he (Sharath) said “Knee will break.” The student said “It feels ok…” and Sharath said “No, MUST break,” meaning that he (Sharath) perceives that there is still a major shift needing to happen in the knee. It’s food for thought when you consider that a) Sharath is probably one of the most advanced teachers and practitioners in the world and knows his $h*t and b) he has been known (mostly in the past) for “blowing out” knees by overadjusting. Hmmmm…

There is much buzz around Gokulum about teacher training with Sharath. It’s obviously invitation-only, but we have heard of at least one meeting he called with hand-picked students to fill out forms/gather info about teaching and teacher training. The surprising thing is that these students are not all on their 10th or 20th trip: some have only been a couple or a few times. This, of course, has set everyone speculating. It is remarkable to consider how much time and energy must be wasted every day by students trying to figure out what Sharath is thinking.

We’re looking forward to off-day, including dinner with some friends tonight, then led class on Sunday and moonday on Monday. Off-days (and especially the nights before: off-day/moonday eve) are always good for staying up a little later and sampling street food. Let the feast begin!

Ouch

2010-03-04T04:07:00.000-08:00

When the daily schedule revolves around yoga practice, as it does for a student in Mysore, even small changes make for big differences. Already it’s nearly the weekend again, with the moonday last Sunday making this week feel short. We have succeeded in getting to early (430a) led class on Sundays (or Mondays, when the moonday falls on Sunday) since that problem the first week, but it is no picnic and throws the schedule for the rest of the day off. Up at 3, done with practice at 530…what now? Still, Sharath only teaches one led Primary class on Sundays (Saraswathi teaches the other) and we will do whatever is necessary to see him every day.

The speed of progress has been on our minds this week in a number of ways. Such conjecture is impossible to avoid in this environment. This week I (E) managed to finally catch in backbending (Tirieng Mukha Uttanasana). Thank you Sharath! It only took two years of daily attempts and, in all seriousness, that’s pretty good, considering how awful backbending was when I started and what a ridiculous thing it is to try do in the first place. The only problem is that now Sharath expects it EVERY DAY. For K, after a drought of over a week waiting for another new posture, today Sharath said, with vague hand gestures to describe the postures, to “take Salambhasana and Bhekasana, BOTH”—sounds like “boat”—on Monday.

The distribution of postures is the subject of much speculation, prognostication, and confabulation. Though theoretically Sharath is doling out postures as each student is ready, in practice it seems at best a product of circumstance rather than design. Most important is certainly how much time you have spent studying with him. Beyond this, it is a matter of various seemingly random factors: if he happens to be by you as you are coming to the end of your postures, the mood he is in, etc. In short, nobody really knows why. But yoga students being who they are, there is a drive to assign great, glorious plans and insights into the giving or withholding of the next posture, though this is most probably a device for obscuring from ourselves just how random it all is.

That said, overall the postures seem to be coming fast and furious for most students. One theory is that Sharath is recognizing that, being that he is only officially teaching for three months this year, it’s now or never for assigning more postures to students. There are still basic guidelines, however, (especially in the Primary Series) that seem intractable and without exception: just today, K talked with a middle-aged student who is on his fourth trip to Mysore and is still working on Marichyasana D. That is, he is still held up about halfway through the Primary Series and said that progress for him is “quite slow.” It’s all relative.

Friday we will register for our second month at the shala, and probably be given a yet-earlier start time (were currently about 645a or 7a). There has been no more information about the potential visa problems, either rumored or official, and it seem to be business as usual around town. Well, one exception: the two Westerner-run cafes catering to yoga students (can you say omelets and baked goods?) have closed due to pressure. They were not legitimate businesses, due to the owners’ tourist, rather than business, visas. It’s a wise move in the present climate, but further cuts down our already paltry ration of wi-fi and drip coffee.

A minor ashtanga celebrity sighting this week: Petri Raisanen has started practicing at the shala. He is quite reserved and has a start time way after ours. Surprising.

Our apologies for not having our own pics this time. Our batteries from home have run out and we're having a difficult time finding batteries good enough to use in the camera. Soon.

Spiritual Gang-stas

2010-02-28T17:00:00.000-08:00

We’re happy to be part of a small social group of students coalescing mostly around shared practice time. Vanessa, Vikram (yes, rhymes with “Bikram” and he is therefore the target of a now-unfunny but unrelentingly-daily joke from Sharath: “Ah, Vikram. Ha. Get ready for ‘Vikram Yoga.’ Haha”) David, and (Miss) Stan are all from Toronto (yes, it’s THAT David) and we usually share a few words over post-practice coconuts. David has the most experience in Mysore, and it is interesting to hear stories: for example, there was the one about an authorized teacher who threw a party in Gokulum and handed out baked goods laced with who-knows-what without telling anyone. At least one person had a seriously bad trip and went to the hospital. It sounds like the teacher was kicked out of the shala, ex-communicated, shunned or whatever it is that they do. The teacher was not named. Guesses?

Practice, practice, practice. It is truly a joy to go to the shala every day. It only gets better as time passes. After having completely submitted to the necessity of healing injury instead of adding postures, I (E) was given pashasana this week. No one was more surprised than I. Also, Sharath has taken helping me catch in backbending as a personal mission, coaching and manipulating me in a much more specific way in the last few days. I haven’t gotten further than clawing at the ankles with my fingernails, but have received a “Very good” and “Next week.” Yikes. K added krounchasana and will probably be onto shalambhasana next week. We’re both working the jumps of the Primary Series pretty intensely. Strangely, this skill—which we think is one of the most important for the poise and strength it builds—is virtually ignored here in Mysore, at least as far as teaching is concerned. Looking around the shala, there are all levels of it, and Sharath seems not to care in the least. One thing that is clear is that it has nothing to do with being given new postures.

We have been acutely aware, for obvious reasons, of any modifications going on in the practice space. There aren’t a lot, but more than you might expect. Most common (or at least apparent) is knee problems. There are several people with bad knees, modifying one or both sides of many Primary postures. Most hindering are shoulder/wrist injuries. There is one woman who clearly has one or both of these going on, such that she does SS on her forearms and, while she does all of the Primary postures, she does not do any of the jumpback vinyasas. Does this hint at a new touchy-feeley, listen-to-your-body shala? Mmmmm, not exactly. There are still students held up in the middle of Primary, either at the marichyasana postures or garbha pindasana. There is also the occasional shout from Sharath, correcting for some otherwise invisible posture imperfection from across the room: close fingers, heel down, arms slightly wider, etc.

Our usual daily routine is practice, then some fruit and working/napping (it’s the coolest part of the day), lunch “out” somewhere, errands/Internet, and dinner at our flat. Additionally, there's usually a stop by the coconut stand or an evening walk thrown in there. It's an easy rhythm. Trips into the city (Mysore proper) are usually entertaining, if exhausting. With practice, we make a decent scooter-driving team (E driving and honking/K watching and hand signaling). Once we make it into town, it’s not hard to wander into a new restaurant with a few minutes of walking.

It is best to take a quick assessment of the restaurant and then simply enjoy. That is, don’t think too much about food preparation, kitchen conditions, etc. (this is true in the States as well, but absolutely ESSENTIAL here). For example, K had rava dosa at a typically grungy cafe. It comes up at the window and the server scoops up a small pat of butter onto it and brings it over. Delicious. Let’s leave it at that.

Let’s NOT consider that the butter is sitting, not only unrefrigerated, but completely uncovered, in an open container in a stifling open room beside the kitchen. Or that it’s doled out pat-by-pat with the server’s bare, grubby hands, which also wipe tables with filthy rags, buss tables, carry supplies and who knows what else. Let's not think about that.

We're closing out another 48 hours of rest after Saturday's off-day and Sunday's moon day. 430a practice tomorrow and then probably watching the Intermediate led class again. Feel free to drop by…we have a spare room…

The shala is NOT closing

2010-02-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

The “special meeting” called by Sharath finally happened Friday morning, and the shala was full to bursting with students. In essence, Sharath said that there are some “serious” issues regarding yoga students in India. First, the national government has changed visa requirements such that it seems that a tourist visa is no longer sufficient for studying yoga. Instead, a yoga student visa is required. This latter is more difficult to get and requires verification and documentation from the institute at which the student will study (in this case KPJAYI). Of course, most of the students now in Mysore received tourist visas with no problem, because they were approved long before the new rules were passed. You would think that these tourist visas would be honored as they were issued before the new rules, but that is not necessarily the case. Read a little about this on kpjayi.org.

Second, Sharath said that on the local level, within Mysore and Gokulum, there have been complaints about yoga students. He had a student read aloud a local newspaper article which described the actions being taken by the police commissioner to essentially crack down on foreigners by enforcing the new student visa requirements. This would, of course, be a problem for us and everyone else who has come here under the “old rules” of tourist visas.

After working everyone up into quite a lather, Sharath addressed these problems. He said that there have been rumors flying in the ashtanga community that the shala would be closing (as a result of the new visa requirements), and that he would no longer be teaching. He denied this and directed everyone to watch kpjayi.org, as he will keep the most current information there. He also said that he has been in contact with the local and national government “trying to keep my students safe” and work out a way through these new regulations. It sounds as if the government has passed these new regulations essentially in response to terrorist acts, and only now are the full implications being understood as enforcement begins on the local level.

In the end, he asked that we trust him to resolve the situation. He has received a promise of a grace period of one month from the police commissioner of Mysore so he can organize the proper paperwork to satisfy the new regulations. He told us not to put any rumors about the shala closing or him leaving “in email or on your Facebook.” These are untrue and stir up many long-time students who then call or email the shala, panicked about it potentially closing. He said it is HIS problem to solve. At the same time, on the local level, he asked that we do our best to deal with the complaints in Gokulum by, well, not being a$$hole foreigners: NOT blocking the street outside the shala, supporting local, Indian businesses, avoiding the questionable restaurants set up by foreigners who are likely not here on a business visa and therefore operating illegally, etc.

It’s hard to tell if this is much ado about nothing or something truly serious. We believe Sharath when he says he has the situation under control, but also when he intentionally used the words “serious problems” a number of times. One indirect result of this meeting was a real sense of responsibility, protection, and affection from Sharath for the students. Daily interaction is usually in the vein of teacher admonishing student, but in the face of these problems, it was very clear that Sharath is workin very hard to protect all of these people who arrest and/or arrange their lives to come from all over the world to study with him.

In short, the shala is NOT closing and Sharath IS teaching as scheduled. It is not clear how the visa situation will shake out in the summer and fall, for the “special (teacher) training” scheduled, but it seems certain that Sharath will post this info ASAP on kpjayi.org.

Not-so-lazy Sunday

2010-02-23T00:23:00.001-08:00

Sunday was perhaps our busiest day since we got ourselves settled here.

We started off with led class at 430a. Our led time on Friday is 6a, but because Sunday also includes a led Intermediate class (more on that below), Sharath announces on Friday during the 6a class that the first x number of rows should come at 430a on Sunday. K has been in the first couple of rows each week. After announcing on Friday that the first two rows should come at 430 on Sunday, he must have seen K in the second row and me (E) in the third, b/c as everyone began to disburse he walked right up to me and said “You also come 430 Sunday. With your…girlfriend. I don’t want to separate you.” AWWwwwww…

Anyway, 430 is pretty d@mn early, but we made it, leaving the flat at 345. We were still in the last 1/3 to arrive, so we may need to bump it up even a bit more. The first round of students on any given day must wait outside the gates, huddled under the streetlights. It is not an inspiring sight. At best, the students look vacant, perhaps engrossed in an iPod, at worse some look downright morose. Soon enough the lights come in the shala and the “houseboy,” Prakash, opens the gates. No dragging at that point, it’s a barely-restrained crush through the doors to get a spot I must get a spot so I don’t end up stuck in the waiting area or even worse the locker room so I have to get a spot OH LORD I HAVE TO GET A SPOT HOW ABOUT RIGHT HERE!!!!

It’s a little stressful.

We were done with practice long before dawn and after the ceremonial milling around and consuming fresh coconuts we went back to the flat to clean up before the led Intermediate class.

A little background: each of the six Ashtanga sequences has a specific day of the week assigned to it. Strangely, the second series (Intermediate) starts the week on Sunday, and then Monday-third, Tuesday-fourth, Wednesday-fifth, Thursday-sixth, and Friday-first (Primary). Of course, this is mostly theory, as Sharath is almost certainly the only person in the world following this schedule in full. In the meantime, you do however many sequences you know on the appropriate day.

So, at the shala, there are a decent number of students working on the Intermediate series. Once they learn about the first third of it they attend the led Intermediate class on Sundays. It is a regular pastime for the other students to huddle in the waiting area and watch the led Intermediate class, usually with mixed feelings of envy, fascination, admiration, dread, and, if we can be honest, the occasional wave of schadenfreude.

We have watched led Intermediate classes on previous trips, but this was the biggest one: probably approaching 50 people. It is inspiring to see, and also sadistically fascinating to watch how Sharath works the room: different postures than Primary, obviously, but just as wicked. Rather than dragging out the count in Navasana, for example, here he instead makes everyone wait in chatvari before coming all the way down to the floor for the various prone backbends. Also, for any readers who have braved Kapotasana, which holds a special, black place in my heart, know that the count is brutally slow. So involved was I in watching that I forgot there is a Kapotasana B and gasped in empathy when it was called and counted.
Sunday is also the day for student conference. At 430 in the afternoon students—bearing enormous sunglasses and decked out in their floaty, elegant, scarved-n-shawled Sunday best—attend the optional time with Sharath, usually about an hour, which involves a little lecture/pep talk/admonition and questions. It is a far more casual vibe than any other time in the shala during the week. This week Sharath told some stories, vaguely answered a few questions and smiled while his 7-8 year-old daughter stole the show with a shortened version of the dance she’d just done for recital.

It is nice to be back to Mysore-style practices now (Tuesday). K has been given the next posture, Krounchasana. It looks like Sharath hands them out one per week at most, which would put K at about Ustrasana by the end of our time here. I have been working my a$$ off trying to catch the heels/ankles during backbending. Today, almost. Tomorrow, “is coming.” After my first real attempt at it on Monday, Saraswathi offered some sage advice: “No shake, you.” Take that to heart, dear reader.

In more local news, our landlord had some workers do some repairs to our shower, which was apparently leaking in his kitchen. “One hour work is there,” we were told. The hammer and chisel started at 530p and mercifully, finally, ended at 1030p. No power tools here, just breaking out the existing stone floor with pure strength and the putting down concrete. Concrete, BTW, involves three piles in the driveway: sand, gravel, and cement. They are eye-balled for proportion and mixed manually with a shovel/pick-thing. Add water, scoop a portion into a wide metal bowl, set the bowl on top of your head and walk it up the stairs to the job. Repeat for three hours and you’re good to go. Made us feel that our yoga practice was pretty lazy.

The whole community is a-buzz today over the unexpected, mandatory meeting for all students at the shala at 530p, which Sharath announced during practice this morning. Dare we hope for a pizza party?

Superstars, Pashasana, and modifications

2010-02-17T03:55:00.000-08:00

In the end, Sharath didn’t seem to have even noticed that we missed class. So, this is our confession: Sharath, we’re sorry!

The fact that he didn’t say anything seems to imply that he has things on his mind OTHER than OUR practices, start times, wishes and wants, general well-being, and what we are doing each day. Ha! Unlikely.

Surely you are wondering what kind of yoga skills we’ve seen around the practice space. Yes, yes we should have our eyes on our own mats, but come on now. For you, reader, we’ve compromised our morals and looked around.

One student we’ve noticed is David, who teaches at the Ashtanga Yoga Center of Toronto in Canada. David practices all of the Intermediate series. His strength and equanimity make what he is doing quite distinct because it is clean, precise, and refined. Practicing in the same room, you can’t help but take note as each Sun Salutation begins with a pike handstand press before lowering down to chatvari, similar to the embedded video, though he doesn't bring his legs all the way to vertical. There is a similar press from kneeling after each of the kneeling backbends in the sequence (Ustrasana, Laghu Vajrasana, etc), lifting/pulling/pressing the bent legs up the chest, belly, and hips and then a controlled lower into chatvari (most students hop or step rather than lift). It is inspiring.

While every student does some version of backbending, David is one of the few students working on “advanced” backbending, which consists of: 3 press-ups (Urdhva Dhanurasana), after the last one, stand up. Then 3 dropback/stand up. At least three “tic-tacs”—downdog/handstand/upward bow/handstand/downdog and then three Scorpions, dropping over from handstand while pulling the feet as close to the head as possible, and then stand up. Finally, Sharath comes over and assists with one final Scorpion, pressing the feet to the head as David holds handstand, and then the regular ashtanga assisted backbending routine.

Ok, ok, “David this” and “David that.” But what about our heros?

K was given Pashasana on Tuesday, only one week into practice here. Sharath said “Last time Primary only? Tomorrow Pashasana.” This was nice to hear for two reasons. One, because K is being moved on and will have almost the whole time on this trip to work into the beginning of Intermediate with Sharath’s instruction. She had a little bit of backbending weirdness (nauseous, feeling faint, etc) during the first couple of practices, but since then she “is catching” and has received a “Very good” each day from Sharath.

The second reason it’s nice to hear from Sharath “Last time Primary only?” is that it implies that Sharath at least remembers enough about us to know we’ve been here before. That is something with so many students. There are still many arriving. We have been both early and lucky and have parlayed our way up to a 730 start time (we originally began with 830). This bodes well as we are only a week into it and we hope to keep movin’ on up.

I (E) am discovering something else about practice at the shala: they do allow for modification. In short, my knee is $%&*ed up for the time being. Closed knee + lateral hip rotation is not happening currently. So far it seems like the kind of thing that will heal up eventually. In short, it’s not the injury but the timing that is bad. Anyway, Sharath has ok’d me to practice all of Primary, but modify as needed. This is nice, as it allows for all the jumps and backbending without re-aggravating and gives me plenty to work on so I won’t be tempted to push too far. There are a few students doing something similar. It must have been apparent to Sharath when my postures were so different between L and R sides that it was an injury rather than an imbalance.

Speaking of injuries, one more funny thing. During our timeslot it is common to see students who are still learning how to dropback/stand up. Yesterday a female student really ate it during her (unassisted) dropback attempt. There was much preparation and pomp and circumstance. She was standing, leaning back, leaning back, extending her arms, leaning back, extending, balancing, leaning…CRACK! and her head hit the tile floor (through her rug and mat, but it was still damn loud). Saraswathi, who didn’t see it but knew it was not a good sound, said “Oooooh.” It was the most epic failure we’ve yet seen in mid-class. The student in question was fine and decided that that was enough on her own and instead collected herself, stood and waited for Sharath’s help. When he made it over to her he was laughing pretty hard, so we didn’t feel so bad about laughing (though on our previous trip K was scolded for laughing at her own dropback wipeout).

New product idea: Dropback crash helmet?

Shala time

2010-02-15T05:53:00.000-08:00

We may be in trouble.

Well, not REAL trouble, but the kind of pretend, scowling, scolding trouble that makes up so much of the ashtanga tradition.

We missed led class this morning. Or, more accurately, the beginning of it.

Sharath said “445” and so we rose at 4, shuffled around and grunted at one another until 420 and then hit the scooter. As we pulled up to the shala we heard the first dawn-sounds of birds. And counting.

Uh-oh.

Either too proud or too smart to sneak/barge in to an ongoing class, we scooted back home. We walked back into our place with the clock reading 431a. WTF?

Rumor has it that the clock at the shala is EXACTLY 17 minutes fast, also known as “shala time.” We knew that everything runs about fifteen minutes early there and had figured this into our schedule. That would mean that Sharath’s 445 is actually 430, our time. This means we should have been arriving at the shala at about 423-25. This is maybe cutting it close, but we knew from our previous trip that 445 led class usually starts at about 5a by the shala clock inside and that the call for 445 is to make sure that no one is late. So, I repeat, WTF?

Methinks that, in addition to the other changes Sharath has been making, he’s been inching up the led class time a little. In retrospect, we can now remember that in addition to saying “445” he also said “430” for the led class time. This would be 430 and 415, respectively, in non-shala time. In short, it’s time for a new plan: ARRIVE at the shala at 4a OUR time. That may or may not happen for Friday’s led class, but certainly will happen again soon.

Luckily, we have our own little Sharath who lives in our computer, so we were able to practice, accompanied by a nice sinking feeling of guilt. Is it possible this is all a (subconscious) part of our masterplan to ensure that Sharath remembers who we are? The tea leaves are inconclusive.

Regardless, it’s back to Mysore-style class tomorrow morning. Either we will show up, wait, and get called in in the customary fashion and nobody will even notice that we were absent. Or, Sharath will mention it to one/both of us during backbending (the most consistent “face time”). Or, worst case scenario, he’ll see us in the waiting room and say in front of everyone something like “Yesterday you are sleeping? You already have one moonday, how many you need? Too much partying?” (characteristic chuckle and scowl)

Better or worse than being told to eat “ONE MEAL ONLY”?

One More

2010-02-12T03:54:00.000-08:00

We are already creeping up in start time in the morning. A large number of students had their last practice day on Tuesday, so we showed up pretty early on Wednesday and were not only called in earlier than our 830 practice time, but were also told to come at 800 the following day. We will continue to come early; making ourselves available for “bumping up” in practice time is key. We’d love to practice as early as possible, mostly for the opportunity to see the most skilled yogis here.

While in general new students register and begin after all current students, experienced students are sometimes started early immediately. We recognize one such student who registered on Tuesday (we were hanging outside the shala waiting to pick up a scooter) and was already practiced and gone before we arrived to practice on Wednesday. There is definitely some logic to keeping the students who are working on approximately the same skills/series’ together. We have been surprised at how many faces we recognize from our last trip, as well as a few from workshops with other Ashtanga teachers.

Overall, Sharath seems cheerful and happy to be here. This is different from our memory of our last trip when he seemed to take more pains to be the curmudgeonly, disapproving teacher. He buzzes around the room in a long sleeve AYRI shirt, black shorts and some kind of towel wrapped around his waist, presumably for depositing students’ sweat. He is smiling and joking with students, even giving encouragement (!) During our practice time, he spends most of his time backbending students, occasionally adjusting Marichyasana postures or explaining which postures comes next and telling new students when to stop.

There are some remarkable students here. There are several men doing handstand presses during Sun Salutations, and a decent number of students working on Intermediate Series. Many have very good jumping/floating skills and it’s apparent that even though most everyone is doing the same sequence (Primary Series) the potential for refinement is infinite. Some are sloppy, some are precise. Of the few students at our times doing Intermediate, one woman in particular caught our eye as we were waiting to be called in for practice: she did Karandavasana THREE TIMES in a row, unassisted. Apparently it wasn’t up to her standards as she kept repeating it, but as far as we could tell it was perfect. We have also seen students doing incredible backbending: catching the shins/calves unassisted, without putting the hands down. Don’t try this at home, kids. All of that said, there are representatives of all skills levels here.

Today was the first led class of our trip. Fridays and Sundays are led classes. By luck we ended up in Sharath’s second led class at 6a (Saraswati takes over w/ another at 8). It was brutal and wonderful. He counted pretty fast, but wrung all he could out of the really juicy parts (Navasana, anyone?). Ut Plutihi is always a joy. Today we both counted about ten actual breaths in the space between “One!” and “Two!” and let’s not even talk about “Nine!” and “Ten!” Sunday is a Moon Day, so there will be no class. Monday will have led classes instead of Mysore practice to make up for the Moon Day. Sharath advised “No partying!” We find ourselves in the first led class on Monday: 445a.

Yesterday was a long day of homemaking after a terrible night of sweating and mosquitoes in our new place. It’s not uncommon to notice students riddled with bites during practice: but not us! The mosquito net is in place, along with water supply, cooking stove, dishes, pots and pans, etc. Our place is remarkably big: one main room, two extra rooms, a shower room and a bathroom, all very spacious and located above a house. We have it all to ourselves unless we decide to sublet the extra rooms (not likely!). Furnishing it meant two days of going through rupees like water, but in the long run it’s an excellent place at a time when everyone is scrambling to find a room.

Other adventures: mastering the scooter, getting an expert cobbler sandal repair on a streetcorner (btw, the sandals in question were labeled too far gone to fix by a shoe repair establishment in Davenport before we left), learning how to select a ripe pineapple, and readjusting to the joys of India power outages, both planned (every night 8-9p) and otherwise (most anytime, including as this is being written), and the first hot shave.

Right now we're looking down the barrel of over 48 hrs of rest time. What to do?

Ah, this is the life

2010-02-08T22:47:00.001-08:00

Well, we slipped right back into the yoga bum lifestyle as if we never left. It's almost as if we live some version of this way even when at home. We're two days into practice at KPJAYI and feeling thoroughly sore in the hammys and satisfied overall. We have a start time of 830a, which is pretty late, but not difficult to understand with the shala as full as it is. Sharath is still teaching during our practice, and for this we are grateful. We were both told to do full Primary on the first day. I (E) am a little gimpy due to a knee issue, so Sharath almost stopped me at Marichyasana D, but I told him to buzz off. No, seriously, I was able to catch, even if only by my fingernails. Not sure if my knee is in the process of opening up into some new magical vista of flexibility or if it's just falling apart, but I'm working with it.

There are all levels of students at the shala. With our start time we see mostly those at our level and below, as the total beginners are arriving as we are wrapping it up. There is probably some 3rd & 4th series craziness going on at 5a; we're hoping to have our times bumped up, especially as Sharath's first month ends.

Today we are happy b/c within 30 minutes of ending our practice we had secured a great place to stay and a scooter. These two chores, especially the former, had been weighing on us as everyone EVERYONE told us how many students are here and how there is no housing. We won't have wi-fi in the place, and it's your average Indian concrete, barebones structure, but it is three or four rooms, an open air hallway, kitchen, bath, etc. With the scooter, Internet is only a few minutes away. So far, Indian driving rules seem to be: do anything at any time as long as you honk excessively.

Today as we were waiting to be called in to practice, one student was leaving through the waiting area. He was very noticeable b/c he actually a little…stout. Portly. Husky. Chubby. You get it. You wouldn't even notice him most places, but for the shala he's heavy. So, anyway, he's almost out the door and Sharath calls across both the practice space AND the waiting area: "Andrew! Remember, today ONE MEAL ONLY." He comes hustling across the practice space and sticks his head out into the waiting area and says it again. Andrew says "Yeah, I know, I've already lost 6 kilos." Sharath says "Six more!" and turns on his heel and goes back to work.

The first lead class approaches (Friday morning). It should be a swift ass kicking and we're looking forward to it.

...zzzZZZZzzzz...

2010-02-04T20:08:00.000-08:00

Three flights, two layovers, one taxi ride and about 30 hours in transit and we are officially back in Mysore. Currently, that means sitting in an open air Internet Cafe in about 75° early Friday morning, typing away. We have about 15 minutes of good sleep between us in the last 48 hours, so we're gritty-eyed and thick-headed, but otherwise well.

To be here again feels remarkably surreal. Surely the sleep deprivation has something to do with it. But more than that, it's a deja vu sort of feeling to be again in a place that has remained vivid and frequently visited in memory in the last two years. It almost feels as if we never left, and yet it was overwhelming to simply walk through Gokulum for the first time a few minutes ago. It's loud, hot, dusty, aromatic, urban, and somehow like stepping directly into a memory you've been savoring on a daily basis for years.

For today we are staying with an Indian family. That is only until we find a more suitable place (they normally don't host couples, and it's a little too far from the shala), which is the main business for today. That means knocking on a few well-known facilitators' doors, and also asking most anyone we run into. There is sure to be a significant turnover at the end of Sharath's first month of teaching here (Tuesday the 9th) and hopefully we can scoop up a soon-to-be-vacated prime spot. Dare we hope for wi-fi?

We've also been invited tonight to go see some Indian classical dance with our host family. It will be a good reason not to go to bed at noon (Mysore time). If we can make it through the performance before crashing out, we're well on our way to shaking off the jet-lag.

Our first practice day at the shala will be Wednesday Feb 10th. We will probably register at the shala on Monday the 8th and hope for a good (early) start time. Hope Sharath likes our new haircuts! There looks to be enough room in our living space to practice on our own until then. K is looking forward to sweating again; E is already sweating from the typing exertion.

All for now. Shout out to all who attended the first Mysore class in our absence, which wrapped up just a few hours ago!

Student Conference

2010-01-04T11:33:00.001-08:00

Thanks to everyone who baked (either at home or in the 11a class) in preparation for Student Conference. A good time was had by all, following one of our biggest Primary Series classes in some time.

Revelations included instruction on Setu Bandhasana, Sirsasana, and E & K's ridiculously long personal practices. But the big news of the day is that we will be returning to Mysore, India, for more study with R. Sharath. Though the ashtanga series' are easily found in books and online, there is no substitute for personal study at "the source," as KPJAYI is often called. We are happy to have been accepted back for study with Sharath, as standards seem to be tightening.

What does this mean for tapas? For the duration of our study (approx. Feb 3 – April 17), our class schedule will be reduced. All vinyasa classes will be cancelled. Mysore classes (Tues & Thurs nights @ 6) will continue with a "lead student" taking responsibility for housekeeping and available to answer basic questions about the sequence. Sunday Primary Series class will also continue, in some capacity (audio track, Mysore-style self-practice, or something else TBA).

Additionally, we may have some other events in the offing: Kino MacGregor will be returning to Moksha in Chicago in March. There is loose talk about a tapas roadtrip to Kino's Sunday Led Primary Series, 3/21. We strongly encourage study with other teachers, especially those of the caliber of Kino and attending a class identical to that we do every Sunday is a perfect opportunity. We are also looking at hosting a Jivamukti Yoga workshop with Aubrey Hackman in late March.

Thanks to everyone for your support of our lil' yoga studio. We have received generous offers of help around this trip, from help keeping a few classes meeting to trip sponsorships. If you are interested in helping, please contact us (info@tapasyogashala.com or 309.236.6084).

There are currently two teachers at KPJAYI in Mysore. Saraswathi is Guruji's daughter. She is now 68. As you can see, they start them young (that's proud papa Guruji on the left in the lower picture). Saraswathi primarily works with new students.

Sharath is Saraswathi's son, Guruji's granddaughter. He has succeeded Guruji as director of KPJAYI. He also started young. Unlike American teachers (present company included) you rarely see him practice and have perhaps wondered if he spends his mornings barking orders at students and then loafs around the rest of the day eating Indian Cheetos. Well, check out the video below and see what you think.

New Year's Eve Mysore

2010-01-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

We had a cozy group for our New Year's Eve special Mysore class. Technically, this year New Year's Eve was Moon Day (a blue moon, in fact). While that makes it an off-day, we figured there were better chances of attendance on New Year's Eve than New Year's Day, even at 10am. Rules were made to be broken (just don't tell Sharath).

So, three plucky ashtangis gave it a go. Jeff and Jessica (two of our legion of "J" students) did the first half of the Primary Series. E, following Matthew Sweeney's practice advice, used

Thursday as an Intermediate-only day. It is traditional in Ashtanga to practice one series until competent, and then gradually add on postures from the next series.

Sweeney advises choosing one day per week to practice only the new series postures alone. This is usually done on Thursday, sometimes called "Research Day." Yes, we are yoga nerds. No, there's nothing that can be done about it.

Check out these few pics: dueling Parsvottanasanas, closing postures. Also, a couple of videos: a passable and, believe me, hard won Kapotasana—go go spider fingers!—and the Tittibhasana sequence, sure to have the thighs screamin' by the end.

Congrats to Our Ashtanga Graduates

2009-12-14T07:45:00.000-08:00

Sunday saw the graduation of the latest class of Quad Cities Ashtangis from our Intro to Ashtanga Yoga course. In six weeks we've learned approximately the first 40 minutes of the Primary Series. Speaking quantitatively, that's about half (the full Primary Series usually takes between 75 and 90 minutes to complete).

In truth, however, our newly minted Ashtangis are well over the halfway point, as we've thoroughly explored the repetitive elements, the fundamentals, of Ashtanga practice: how to breathe, how to link movement with breath, how to address difficulties, when/where/why/how to practice, jumping techniques, and much more. With these fundamentals in place, continuing to learn the next pose, and the next pose, and the next pose is not as daunting as it might once have been. We'd like to think that by the end of six weeks of regular practice, the paradox is readily apparent: however much of the sequence you are doing with full intention, it is a complete practice; and yet, it can also be added to. To paraphrase a favorite Upanishad: whether adding to or drawing from Fullness, Fullness remains, like carrying water to or from the river.

These Intro courses hold a special place for us, as this practice is so dear to us and we are so excited to introduce it to others and welcome them to the community, one jumpback at a time. As usual at the end of , it was a combination of blood, sweat, and tears as we said…"See you next week."

Usually, a graduation ends with a goodbye, but that is not the case—nor the intention—for this course. The idea of the

Intro course is not to master the curriculum over the course of six weeks, but to get your bearings within a remarkable system of practice. There isn't any end and, usually by the end of the six weeks students realize that they don't WANT there to be an end. Like a martial arts form, each week we learn a little more. In this way the practice expands "horizontally." But the real joy in the increased depth, the "vertical" growth. Our Intro students have been coming to one Mysore (guided self-practice) class each week throughout this course, in addition to practicing at home.

This is the ideal practice format, and at the end of the course it is already in place. Intro students continue to come to Mysore class and gradually learn the next posture, and the next posture, and the next…

Our next Intro course will begin January 2nd. This will be the last Intro to Ashtanga session until late spring (late April or early May), so if you've been thinking about it, now is the time. This session will meet on Saturdays, 10-11a instead of Sundays. We're hoping this gives some folks with full Sunday schedules a chance to come.

tapas Teacher Training

2009-12-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

Heads up! (get it?)

tapas will be running our first yoga teacher training, beginning June 2010. This will be a Yoga Alliance-approved certification at the 200 hr level. We'll plumb the depths of the yoga tradition as only we can. Whether you come with an intention to teach or deepen a practice, you will not be disappointed. Much, much more to come…

Mysore Morning

2009-11-26T07:52:00.000-08:00

A few recent morning practice pics…

Kino

2009-11-23T17:20:00.000-08:00

Well, we've had a few weeks to reflect on a weekend with Kino MacGregor at Moksha in Chicago. We have studied a little with Kino before, but this time we did two Mysore classes, a led Primary, and four or five various workshops (first day = nine+ hours of yoga). Without a doubt, and without much surprise, we feel that the Mysore classes are where it's at. For ashtangis, who have an ongoing, six-days-a-week practice anyway, doing that same practice in a crowded, charged environment under a skilled eye is unparalleled fun. Since it's the same practice you always do, you'd think it wouldn't feel much different. Yet, it somehow ends up being a 'ho' 'notha' level.

Kino talked about much (most?) of the discomfort (different than pain) associated with an intense practice being associated with ego. Once you develop a certain level of skill and conditioning, you are very unlikely to hurt yourself, especially when so warm, so the voice saying that you should stop comes from a psychological place. A well-known manifestation of this (in Ashtanga communities, at least) centers around backbending, which is usually the most intense part of the sequence, requiring the greatest exertion just when you are most tired, and usually prompting the deepest body sensations. It is not uncommon for nausea to surface just when it's time for backbending. There is also backbending "fever," known in Mysore as a vague cluster of symptoms (gastrointestinal distress, lethargy, emotional ebb) occurring after being taken especially deep into a backbend by Guruji (or, nowadays, Sharath or Saraswati). Ashtanga philosophy understands this as part of the psychological purging process, something that will pass if you are willing to bear it (keep practicing) rather than give into it (and back off).

This does not discount the reality of and potential for true injury, but endorses the deep, interrelated nature of the processes at work in any person. Physicality and psychology are at least intertwined and working through the acquired blocks in the body is synonymous with undoing the acquired blocks in the personality. Whether in the body or the mind, these are known as conditioning.

So, perhaps the greatest gift of a weekend of Kino's teaching was a rediscovery and endorsement of intensity. During the Mysore classes we both had the experience of practicing LONG after we hit the usual point of what we thought was exhaustion. What does that mean? It means that that previously understood point of exhaustion was actually a threshold of psychological discomfort that we had decided must be the body's limit, simply because we wanted to stop. In fact, with prompting, we discovered that the body's limits were nowhere to be found. The depth and intensity of experience bloomed once we dismissed the usually rantings in the head about stopping. Yes, yes, we must be careful not to hurt ourselves, etc. This rule (really only one end of the spectrum, one polarity) is well-known and often taken too seriously. The body is strong and can do more than you think it can. The other polarity, discovering something beyond your current psychological constructs through sheer physical exertion, is under-appreciated at best.

Drunkest Guy Ever

2009-10-21T07:22:00.000-07:00

Can't think of anyway to relate this to yoga: it's just funny sh*t.

Mysore Guest on Tuesday

2009-10-19T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hey folks

Word has it that our Texas Ashtangi friend Laurence (student at Tejas Yoga, where they take many fantastic yoga pics, including the one below) will be making an appearance at Tuesday night's 6p Mysore class (Oct 19). He has a nice strong practice and will likely be joined by a few of our Mysore regulars. Of course, the more the merrier - come join us!

FRESH the movie

2009-10-14T08:57:00.001-07:00

As part of our one year anniversary celebration (in addition to free classes Mon Nov 2 - Sun Nov 8), we'll be screening Fresh, a documentary about the industrial food industry and efforts to find alternatives, on Saturday November 7th at the shala. Not sure on the time yet - probably six or so. We'll also have a potluck, so we can eat food while we watch food. Fresh draws heavily from Michael Pollan's book The Omnivore's Dilemma (which you should read if you haven't).

The distribution of Fresh echoes it's subject matter in that it will NOT be nationally distributed in theaters. Instead, the movie is going for a word-of-mouth, grassroots popularity, and is available for small screenings, through purchase of a license, promotional materials, etc. We heard about the movie because it was shown at a church in the QC.

Initially, this movie seems not exactly yoga-related (or maybe more accurately it's not asana related). But as closely as dietary choices are tied to yoga practice, we think this movie is a good fit with how we roll. The dietary practices traditionally associated with yoga practice, from vegetarianism to fasting do not all stem entirely from the same intent (fasting is a body purification ritual; vegetarianism is both body purification and an extension of ethical observances). And, unfortunately, any practice can be "good" or "bad," ample proof of which is found in many things, including these two:

1) the recent formulation of the diagnosis of "orthorexia," an unhealthy and possibly fatal eating disorder centered around an obsession with healthy food

2) Hitler was a vegetarian*

Fortunately, any practice also has the potential to fulfill the yogic aim of raising consciousness, or bring conscious attention into aspects of the life otherwise lived mindlessly. Lunch, anyone?

Curry, Pastels, and Other Things from India: Addendum

2009-10-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

Note: the pink rug was the first to sell. Shows what we (I) know.

Curry, Pastels, and Other Things from India

2009-10-01T11:22:00.000-07:00

How to buy sh*t from India:

1) Drop a line to your Indian contact, who you met in Mysore, who surely doesn't have a website, let alone an option to order anything online, but is happy to be "making small business" with his "American yoga friends." Sure, you could buy wholesale from an American company but—guaranteed—you are buying rugs and bags that THEY purchased from an Indian shopkeeper.

2) Now, how to pay…credit card? Forget about it. Too convenient! No, you will pay via

Western Union. Other than sending money to my new Nigerian friend to help him get his riches out of the country (to be split with me), who even uses Western Union anymore? And yet, they show no signs of slowing. This is because they make a KILLING on Indian transactions. Think about it: 1.2 billion people times anything is a lot of $$.

3) Wait.

4) Don't get squirrelly - keep waiting.

5) Ok, better contact the seller. He says everything is good on his end. Try the post office. Nothing. Hm.

6) At last!

7) Part of the reason the shipping takes so long (probably) is the charming Indian system of

packaging. All materials to be shipped must first be taken to your neighborhood—you guessed it—tailor! It's all sewn up into a colorless, cloth Christmas present and then sent out via sea or air. It's almost too cool to open.

8) But when you do break down and cut into it—oh, the sights and smells! It sounds like a punchline, but truly the silk and cotton products shipped from India smell, well, like India.

Mostly like spices: curry-scented bags and rugs. You'll look in vain for a little spice pouch, but in fact that scent is right in the stuff (until you wash it and/or practice on it, replacing the scent

with your own…)

9) Pastels. They like things bright and loud in India and boy do they ever like pink. Who wouldn't? Who wouldn't want to walk into Mysore class with, say,

that second rug on the right there? Brian? Jeff? *Note to self: specify colors in the future*

10) Mark up, mark up, mark up! The sky's the limit!

Ashtanga Holiday

2009-09-04T05:23:00.000-07:00

The Ashtanga "work week" runs from Sunday to Friday, with Saturdays off. Additionally, the tradition has no practice on "moon days," meaning the days of the new and full moon. This adds up to about six days of rest per month for the orthodox/insane student.

You can imagine the build in excitement during the week looking forward to that Saturday rest. Or maybe you don't have to imagine, because you feel the same thing about your 9 to 5. Anyway, with most Ashtangis having psychological and behavioral polarities at least as wide as the average person, they have been known to limit all things indulgent (sex, a full meal, staying up until the time reaches double digits) to Friday nights.

Now just imagine: a few times a year, the new or full moon falls on a Friday or Sunday. (This is one such time, with the full moon today; the next new moon will be as well.) Are you seeing the implications here? Two consecutive days off. An Ashtanga Labor Day. Remarkable. Put away the herbal tea and break out the coffee—hell, make it half-caff!!

While a grueling pre-dawn practice regimen tends to foster good evening behavior (hangover + Primary Series = sadness), they really let 'er rip on one of these moon/off-day coincidences. We experienced one such event in Mysore, and the area around the shala resembled a college campus more than a suburb, with coeds mingling, prancing, and catwalking from party to party. Pretty safe to say even with no practice some new, er, positions are tried out on such a moon day.

We also spotted Sharath and his wife celebrating 48 hours of leisure by eating an elegant dinner. In their car. Which was parked on a secluded side street (they're the Brangelina of Mysore). It was obvious they didn't want to be disturbed but, then again, how could they have known we'd come by? So we knocked on the window and said Namaskara. But I digress…

PS A Google image search reveals that there are two famous Indians named Sharath. One teaches yoga, the other is a ping-pong—excuse me, table tennis—wizard. Can you tell the difference (or decide which looks sillier?)

Sweating room only

2009-08-31T12:47:00.000-07:00

Getting comfy…

(30 seconds pass)

“T'ank you wery much! You go home, take rest!”

Outtakes

2009-08-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

Jump Around

2009-08-16T14:32:00.000-07:00

The Jumping Workshop went off without a hitch last Friday as the first of our series of Yogaskillz Workshops. The aim here is to dissect some of the unique skills used in vinyasa and particularly Ashtanga yoga. It's definitely not a traditional approach to break out of the regular, repetitive practice format and "workshop" anything, so we're risking our Ashtanga Secret Decoder rings here, but we feel it worthwhile. Below is the video that has been up on the website with some of the skills we're covering over the course of three sessions: Jumping, Inversions, and Backbending.

"Jumping," of course, means a little more than, say hopping over a puddle. It refers to the "floating" technique of technically jumping with the legs but passing through/toying with a handstand (without the legs extended up). The center of gravity and body weight are stacked up through the arms, allowing the feet and legs to resist gravity and land lightly, or even hover if you want to be a show-off about it (watch 00:25 - 00:49 for some examples).

With the thermostat on "11," we filled the shala on Friday night and examined four moves: the jumps forward and backward in the two versions of Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations) and the jumpback and jumpthrough of the seated postures. Each is distinct, but the common goal for each is to get the center of mass over the hands, in effect a handstand for a split second. Gradually this improves control and balance. Now comes the hard part: going back to the mat and attempting to incorporate this knowledge. This is difficult because the movements are so fast and repetitive that changing them even slightly involves trying to short-circuit the muscle memory that already exists there. Usually this means that these movements feel awkward for a while.

Some additional pics and advice:

Pic 1: This fella is jumping through to seated. However, he's WAAAAY up there. Rather than moving horizontally and skimming the feet/legs above the mat, he's jumped up. Notice that he's NOT in a vertically-stacked handstand, exactly. This seems a contradiction to the advice about "passing through" handstand, unless you consider the effect (physics) of the legs being in against the belly instead of on top of the hips. With the legs drawn in like this, the necessary counterbalance comes in shifting the face and shoulders forward of the hands, to bring the center of mass above the hands. At first, this is terrifying and you feel you will fall forward for sure. And you might need to to find the edge. This position is necessary to "float" through and is the correct alternative to, out of fear or disorientation, keeping the spine and arms aligned (straight up and down) and sticking your butt forward by bowing the back.

Pic 2: This shot is basically a few frames/milliseconds after Pic 1. Notice how tightly the body is tucked, hips farther back and, to counterbalance and keep from falling on the butt (keep the weight in the hands), the head and shoulders are even farther

forward. This movement ends one of two ways. Beginner: lower straight down to the floor from here, on the tops of the feet and then straighten the legs in front. Intermediate/Advanced: with the feet flexed (as they are in the pic) bring them through and sit. Think: KNEES FIRST. You really can't be too tucked here.

Practice, practice, practice. Try to feel it, rather than think it. Don't be afraid to wipe out…it's usually necessary to go both too far forward and not far enough to find the right point. For some more videos of floating, especially into and out of various arm balances, check out the Om Shanti blog.

Up next: Inversions, Friday Aug 21. In particular, we'll consider much of the same science of getting the center of mass over the balance point (head, hands, or whatever) as well as focusing on a controlled movement into and out of the posture to gain confidence and control instead of, say, throwing yourself up the wall into it, staying for 5 minutes, and then crashing back to Earth. See you there.

Out-of-Towners

2009-08-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

“…and I thought ‘Ashtanga yoga in DAVENPORT, IOWA!?’ But there you were!”

We've heard several versions of this in the last few weeks as traveling yogis passing through town stumbled onto our niche. First, there was Doyle Bramhall, who dropped by for a private class and a Thai massage when he was in town to play the Redstone Room with ARC Angels. Doyle's played (guitar), sung, written, and produced music with Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, virtually the whole Austin, TX/Stevie-Ray-Vaughn music community, as well as several of his own projects. K was happy to practice Primary with him. Next time he comes through, we've promised to go to the show (couldn't make it this time). Here he is ripping it up with EC and DT. (Guitar nerds will note that he plays ala Hendrix, "upside down," with the lower pitch strings—the thick ones—closer to the floor. In this case the guitar is strung upside down instead of being flipped upside down.)

Our friends Sara Strother and Kimberly (sorry Kimberly — I don't know the name of the studio or I'd link to it) were also recently back in the area via family connections. Both dropped by for some Vinyasa III. Sara said something that we can relate to: when you practice independently and teach so much, it's wonderful to be able to go to a class and have someone else administer the whoopin'. Well, maybe that's not exactly what she said but it was something like that. Kimberly is spreading the Ashtanga gospel in Alabama and was last here at New Years'.

Finally, in what is surely irrefutable proof that it's a small (yoga) world after all, we met Laurence from Houston, TX. Laurence practices Ashtanga at Tejas Yoga in Houston Texas, the studio featured in this post a few months ago. They have some great clips, pics, and…opinions about orthodoxy in practice at houstonyoga.com. Alongside a strong, "floaty" practice, perhaps the most remarkable thing about Laurence's visit (which also included a Thai massage) was that he couldn't believe the heat at the shala (remember, he's from Texas—isn't it hot there or something?).

Watch a woman who is surely Laurence's inspiration rocking some arm balances here.

2009-07-20T08:42:00.000-07:00

Handstand dropovers

2009-07-18T06:16:00.001-07:00

Intermediate Level backbending: Mommy!!

Minneapolis: The Rest of It, Pool Parties and All

2009-07-15T17:27:00.000-07:00

(a shot of Mysore class at The Yoga House, from a previous workshop with Govindakai. Michelle, the owner, is third from the left and these other two women students have been at all the sessions we have attended)

Tomorrow is the last day of Mysore practice at The Yoga House. Some of the folks who have been learning the Moon Sequence since Monday will drop it to practice Ashtang-er, while others will stay will the Moon for one more day. Even just a few days of practicing the Moon Sequence has committed it to memory and it suddenly becomes much deeper. This is something remarkable about memorizing sequences and building a self-practice.

There have been no more than 15 at any of the Mysore classes, most of them regulars at The Yoga House, and it's unlikely anyone has been disappointed. Most are working on the

Primary Series and a little of the Intermediate Series. And, if you must know, there are plenty of water bottles and towels, but no cheat sheets.

We've watched a few people doing dropback and handstand work, along with most everyone receiving bits and pieces of advice about all kinds of things. Great adjustments as well. We'd be happy to pay for the classes just to come in and watch the adjustments.

All of the teachers we've studied with have particular strengths/tendencies. Sharath knows how to push you past psychological barriers. Richard Freeman weaves together philosophy and physical practice. Kino MacGregor brings reverence for tradition. Matthew (yeah, that's right, we're on a first name basis) has an uncanny talent for taking the really physically difficult aspects of intense vinyasa practice—jumping/floating, inversions (up to and through handstand), standing backbending—and breaking them down into steps and progressions with a detail and clarity that could NEVER be found in Mysore. It's odd, but another example of the West doing a better/different take on yoga practice.

Today was pool party day. Class is over by 745 AM, it's overcast and barely 75°, who WOULDN'T want to get in the pool, right? Oh, did I mention MATTHEW SWEENEY was there? It was pretty chill(y), some snacks, goofing around, not too many people. Everybody brought a kid or two just to make sure the pool was full. No, he did not wear some kind of Aussie Speedo.

Tomorrow: class, breakfast with Matthew and students at Michelle (studio owner)'s house, and then back on the road. It's been a blast.

So...we will be offering three workshops at the shala in August, Friday nights the 14th, 21st, and 28th. We will draw strongly from the information gleaned here, as well as the work of David Swenson, Richard Freeman, and other vinyasa teachers. We'll cover jumping/floating, backbending, and inversions. We also may try a lead Moon Series class. Specific schedule coming soon. Let's all learn to levitate!

PS Yes, we would LOVE to bring Matthew to teach at the shala...the more response we get to workshops we feature now, the bigger the instructors we can get in the future.

Minneapolis Day 3-4

2009-07-13T12:29:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful weekend of workshops. Over the course of three days, we attended five "yog-er" (Australian for "yoga") workshops with Matthew Sweeney at Yoga House (wiping away the sweat and crashing into bed). Most of the information covered in the workshops can also be found in one of two books either Ashtanga Yoga As It Is, or his newest book Vinyasa Krama (hefty in price but valuable info). But the experience is much better in person if you have the chance, i.e. there are no diagrams of Matthew Sweeney flexing his psoas muscles in the books. You have to pay extra for that.

Two of the workshops were led classes working through Sweeney's Moon Series and Lion Series. Both, in their own way, interesting compliments to an Ashtanga practice, however, not riveting as workshop topics. The remaining three were a progressive looks at jumping, back bending and inversions. Now this was something. Each class included partner activities to feel the required actions for a super-yogi asana. Great for personal practice or Mysore style but difficult to work into a regular class setting.

Today was our first Mysore day. We have (somewhat painfully) opted to put aside the "Ashtang-er" (Australian for "Ashtanga") and learn in detail the Moon sequence. This is a published sequence, but when taught in person, slightly different. This way Matthew says, he knows who he has taught. Today the first half, tomorrow the second. It's difficult to keep your eyes on your own mat. At the same time you are moving and breathing slowing, Matthew is handing out helpful advise to those Primary/Intermediate Series folks.

Matthew's style is somewhat different compared to other teachers we have seen. Kino was extremely reverent, dedicated to a purely traditional practice. Matthew on the other hand is constantly goofing on Mysore, Richard Freeman and Sharath. High energy is an understatement especially in the afternoon, a bit "wild eyed." Though he regularly practices and enjoys traditional Ashtanger practice, he also seems to have a "keep it interesting" approach to practice, offering up some days to take it easy and variations in sequences.

Three days left, two of which are definitely Moon Sequence practice days. On a lighter note, Michelle (Yoga House owner) has invited everyone (via email) to a pool party on Wednesday (it's like 80 degrees here, brrrrrr) and then breakfast after practice on Thursday, both "with Matthew" (implied: "!!!!!"). It must be interesting trying to keep "someone" busy all day who was already on the computer, checking his email (or something) at the end of Mysore practice (which he is teaching) because he is "bored."

***This photo is really only interesting because we are being tickled.

Minneapolis Day 1: I-35 & Chandra Krama

2009-07-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

Hey der!

Google Maps now has the terrific function of tracing out your route from A to B and allowing a drag function, so you can simply click and drag the route in any direction, choosing to use this or that main road. It's very convenient. Here is a request for Google: not so much with the click and drag; rather, make with the "avoid construction delays" functi

on. I-35 turned from an Interstate into a parking lot for a few hours on the way up. All mantras failed. We were steamed.

Even so, we strolled into the first session with Matthew Sweeney, on his Chandra Krama (roughly "Moon Sequence" or "Lunar Action"), no more than 15 minutes late. Original sequences are, in part, what he does. He is an extremely advanced Ashtanga practitioner, but has also constructed and published some of his own sequences. This one is intended to counter the hot, strengthening, yang (rhymes with "strong") as

pects of Ashtanga with a cooling, opening, yin sequence.

The Yoga House is on the second floor of a two-story building on a swanky, suburban stretch of Caribou Coffees, Sprong! shoe stores, and cafes. The practice space is very nice. Maybe a little bigger than the shala, with a boutique and a couple of changing rooms.

The Chandra Krama session was very straightforward. Matthew—high-energy, goofy, Aussie—led the class through it, step by step, usually doing the postures along with us. No Ashtanga-style counting. You can make out something of the sequence in this image. While it IS less demanding than any Ashtanga sequence, it's still not exactly easy. Michelle at The Yoga House keeps it nice a toasty in the studio and we were sweating buckets. Other than Matthew, E was the only man (*sigh*) out of about 20 students.

Inevitably, when leading an unfamiliar group, any sequence goes more slowly, so we did an abbreviated version, with some of the harder postures omitted. We have already been practicing this sequence 2-4x a month for about six months. We have arranged to practice it under Matthew's direction while here as the beginning of the process to receive his blessing to teach it. Neat-o.

We have since finished two more sessions (jumping back/through and backbending) and can say that the Chandra session was pretty mild and not all that interesting, relatively speaking. Far better were the three-plus hours each on jumping and backbending. We were asked not to take video and to minimize pictures, so there won't be much illustration in these posts. Oh well.

So, we weren't able to take any pics of Matthew. Instead, we tried a Google search, but came up with several "Matthew Sweeneys". Can you identify the yoga teacher out of this bunch?

Remember the 90s?

2009-07-06T15:16:00.000-07:00

Let's see, there was Slick Willy, DJ Jazzy Jeff, flannel, and my glorious high school days. It was the 90s, and it was also the decade when yoga practice really broke in this country in a big way. There was Madonna doing a Sun Salutation on Oprah (couldn't find a clip - I tried!) and an overall explosion of yoga practice on the west coast. In particular, people discovered Ashtanga yoga (though a few Westerners had been doing it since the 70s). Check out this recently unearthed article (scanned, .pdf) from Yoga Journal in 1995 on the new craze of Ashtanga yoga. Note the baby-faced Sharath as well as the description of the first two American Ashtangis' time in Mysore: practicing both the first and second series twice each day (I think that qualifies as a Vinyasa IV class)!

Also mentioned in the article is Bryan Kest, who mostly invented Power Yoga (or at least invented the idea of peddling it to celebrities) and sold it during the 90's with the torn jeans, bandana-around-wild-hair, Color-Me-Badd-boy look. Below is what seems to be a public access show interview with him. Dazzling production value aside, note the surfer diction and the Bill-and-Ted wisdom: "I don't just want people to get into ME, but to get into YOGA." You've gotta love it, along with the brief clips of his Power Yoga video, featuring jean cutoffs over long johns and that gorgeous hair. Did I mention the hair? (note: Bryan has many yoga books and videos, one of which is called "Long, Slow, & Deep" - how many think he told THIS reporter ALL about it shortly after this interview? *rim shot*) Not to rip on Bryan, though: if you haven't tried one of his videos, you should (you can find them through the library system): they will whoop yo' ass, and usually feature a good number of very ripped models who seem to be extremely surprised at how difficult the class is.

Up next: Minneapolis!!

Healthy Living

2009-06-23T07:30:00.000-07:00

(re: audio - enjoy some onlookers discussing the "Iron Man" of this group)

Hey there, cats and kittens. It was a great time Saturday at The Radish Healthy Living Fair. There were "alternative" (it's really pretty mainstream at this point) health and healing approaches as far as the eye could see: herbalists, massage, aromatherapy, and much, much more. Also, some chocolate chip cookies baking in a solar oven. Mmmmmm... And dogs (plus a dog show). Oh, and chiropractors. Lots and lots of chiropractors.

Anyway, there was also some yoga. DSY had the Biggest Yoga Class Ever (again) while Indigo, River Cities, and tapas all cuddled up together in one corner of one of the large tents, shooting the sh...breeze, appreciating NOT being in the direct sunlight, and promoting our respective spins on this practice.

It seemed to be a great turnout. We have not been to the Fair before, but for most of the seven hours a steady stream of people filtered by the table. Some were drawn in by the various yoga books and carvings; others were mortified: "If I ever look like THAT, call 911."

Half-price classes seemed to go over well; we're happy to say that even just a few days after the event we've seen some regulars and some new folks using their classes. Of course, you get what you pay for, so we're only giving half the attention and wisdom we would otherwise, and, perhaps most important, only counting half as fast. Win some, lose some.

We'll be drawing a winner (or two?) for a free monthly membership. To enter, we had people join the (e)mailing list (can you believe they fell for that?) and as a result we may have met the last person on the planet without an email address. Or so he said.

Other highlights included the concurrent Farmer's Market which, at high summer, is a wonderland of goodies. It's no Devraja Market in Mysore, where you can buy everything from a fresh banana to a live chicken (only dead chickens here), but its not too shabby for our little river community.

Each yoga studio filled roughly one hour of demo time and, batting clean-up, we decided to "go big or go home." We dug up the usual Saturday Vinyasa III class, trimmed it a bit, and transplanted it to the yoga demo area. Everybody's already seen the E & K show anyway...

So, shout out to Kathy, Kathy, and Jeff (all seasoned Saturday students) for putting it on the line. And not being too miffed when we were all shown up by the kids in the audience, who seemed completely unfazed by not only these difficult postures, but my practicing them on the CONCRETE. (Shout out to Belle, Francesca, Liam, and all the other yogis who dropped in for this class.) Thanks also to Ann and Brian for their photography...we brought a camera (really) but (as usual) it never made it out of the bag. On a completely unrelated topic, doesn't it really bother you that yogis get slapped with that goofy, absent-minded, hipster-dufus label? Thought so.

Who's That Girl?

2009-06-14T06:29:00.000-07:00

And what's with the porn-stache?

Yoga Practice or ???

2009-06-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

Yoga practices have ranged all over the place in 5000+ years. You've got chanting/kirtan, asana, pranayama (breathing/subtle energy exercises), drishti (gazing points), all manner of diet practices, and many many more. Putting the legs behind the head starts to look pretty tame. And, frankly, everything listed so far is positively boring when you consider the full spectrum of practices, especially those which have yet to, er, find an audience in the West.

So, how about this. Here are twenty practices. Some of them are real, some are not. We won't use their Sanskrit names. Hopefully by describing rather than naming them, we'll minimize any use of Google/Wikis. Who can identify the fakes? Bonus points for giving the Sanskrit names of the real practice (and, potentially, christening the fake ones with appropriate titles). A free class hangs in the balance...

1) Staring at a candle flame to force the eyes to water and thereby cleanse themselves.
2) Training the body to live directly on the energy from sunlight: no eating required.
3) Using leather strips to lash the legs into Padmasana for hours or days at a time.
4) Burial of a living yogi for days or weeks without food, water, or air.
5) Hands-free enema (container of water, squatting...you do the math).
6) Meditation (hours or days) while hanging from banyan tree branches (the higher the better).
7) Mouth/nose-guards worn 24/7 to prevent accidentally inhaling/harming small insects.
8) Living with/being accepted by animal packs.
9) Walking on water.
10) Holding one or both arms above the head until withered and atrophied.
11) Manipulating the tongue so its tip can touch the third eye (above and between the eyebrows).
12) Consciously stopping the heartbeat.
13) Psychadelic substances.
14) Meditation: seated in the ocean as tide comes in.
15) Digging ones own grave with the hands.
16) Counting the grains of rice in the village harvest.
17) Ritualized vomiting.
18) Creation and debate of hypothetical ethical dillemas.
19) Washing the intestines (outside the body).
20) Jumping back.

Yoga is some freaky sh*t.

No class at the shala Tuesday June 2nd through Thursday June 4th

2009-05-27T06:44:00.000-07:00

We will return with Vinyasa III on Saturday, June 6th at 1230p.

In the meantime - camerawork, commentary, and beach towel aside - betcha' can't do this:

2009-05-20T06:23:00.000-07:00

Ashtanga Yoga videos: leaked!!

2009-05-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

So, there are large, clear signs all around the shala in Mysore stating "no videos or photos." Outside? Sure. With the coconut man? Absolutely. With Sharath after Sunday student conference? No problem. But definitely, absolutely NOT during class.

Thankfully, even the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute (it's now called the KP Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute) operates on the "it's not WHAT you know but WHO you know" principle, and Govinda Kai, a long-time Ashtangi, has posted some extremely recent and extremely authentic videos from a led class inside the shala.

This is a led class from March of 2009, probably a Sunday morning since it's Intermediate Series. It's bits and pieces of what's likely about a 2 hour class. These clips are arranged in the order in which the postures occur in the practice. A few things to look for:

- It's clearly before dawn when the class starts, (dark windows and birdcalls) but by the last video it's full light, and you can hear the street sounds (horns and cars) and hollering from the vegetable vendors that walk through the streets pushing carts of produce to sell.

- The main instructor is, obviously, Sharath.

- The woman adjusting in the background of some videos is Saraswati, Sharath's mother. She is sort of assistant or co-instructor.

- You can see lots of other students crowded at the door to the lobby, watching. These are voyeur Primary Series students getting their yoga jollies by watching the Intermediate students. It's the Cool Kids and the Dorks, all over again. Of course, every Primary Series student in Mysore wants SO BADLY to be "moved on" to Intermediate Series (which happens ONLY by invitation from Sharath).

- Notice that there are a few students doing their own thing at the back of the room. Typically, students learn a series a little bit at a time. So, these are students who have learned some of the Intermediate Series and do that much with the rest of the class, but then drop out and do their own backbending and finishing postures (inversions, etc) once the class gets past what they know.

- Notice...no hurry - not one person is moving ahead of the count (though collapse is not uncommon).

Because it's Intermediate Series, it's mostly different postures than Sunday's Led Primary class at tapas. Even so, for those who have been coming to Sundays for some time now, this is a great opportunity to see if you're getting an authentic experience:

Surya Namaskara B

Bakasana

Yoga Nidrasana

Karandavasana - pure torture: "Don't go chatvari, don't go chatvari!"

Supta Urdhva Vajrasana

Sirsasana

Dropbacks - part of led class in the Intermediate Series, though not in Primary.

Late Night Yoga

2009-05-12T08:27:00.000-07:00

Johnny Carson getting a yoga lesson...as you can see, lasting results are immediate. This was filmed in 1966, right around the time:

1) BKS Iyengar's Light on Yoga was published.

2) The first Western Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga student discovered a little yoga shala in Mysore, India, with an even littler guru.

Dharmashakti

2009-05-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

kirtan (keer-tawn) n.
(Sanskrit "to repeat") an ancient yoga practice of rhythmic music and chanting

As you may have observed if you've been to the shala lately, we are hosting a kirtan at the end of the month: Tuesday, May 26 at 730p. Like our guest instructor workshop (Sara Strother), our yoga clothing "trunk sale" (be present), the weekly orthodox Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series, and many of the postures you may find in class on Saturdays, the practice of kirtan is a yoga first for the QC (to our knowledge). Also similar to those other events, this practice is extremely popular in larger yoga communities (Chicago, or on the coasts), and we're happy to play a small part in bringing it to this community. Unlike trunk sales, however, the practice of kirtan is ancient, far older than even the practice of postures.

Kirtan is basically a party, a concert in which the audience participates. Drums and other instruments accompany singing, usually repetitive Sanskrit phrases.

It's remarkable how dry this description makes a kirtan sound; in fact, it is anything but. If you've ever listened to Krishna Das, you've got a flavor for kirtan: high energy, fun, synergistic. Sort of like being part of an Indian, yoga jam band.

We are happy to have Dharmashakti dropping by for one night as part of a national tour. Check out the video below or his website to get something of a feel for what to expect. The videos do lack one essential part of the kirtan experience: the audience, which can be heard but not seen.

It's going to be a good time.

PS Oh yeah, suggested donation is $12.

PPS Oh yeah pt II: it's tacky, it's bad form to ask in this forum, but we are looking for some lodging for Dharamshakti and Christian (he's the other half of the band). They are easy going and even have air mattresses, but also have pet allergies (dog and cat). So, we're out. They have said they would rather stay in a home than a hotel if possible, so we're putting out the call. Any takers? info@tapasyogashala.com

Why You Should Come to Mysore Class

2009-05-03T14:19:00.000-07:00

This week we're adding two new classes: Mysore on Tuesday and Thursday nights, 6-730p. As you probably already know, Mysore class is named after the Indian city of Mysore where Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga was born, or at least rediscovered for the modern age, depending on your source.

Anyway, in Mysore class students practice just as they do at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in India (sans coconuts and Delhi belly): supervised self-practice. You show up, roll out your mat, and begin, moving through as much of the Primary Series as you can remember. Instructors wander and give adjustments or prompts for one or two postures beyond what you already know - just enough that you'll remember the new stuff next time. Pretty quickly, it's committed to mental memory and, shortly after that, muscle memory. Then the process of refinement and moving meditation can really begin.

It may seem odd that we would offer a class that teaches you how to practice on your own - like we're teaching ourselves right out of a job, right? Well, maybe so. Or maybe not. Check out this article by a once-hesitant student. Here are our own top ten reasons you should come to Mysore class:

1. You can tell all of your yoga-hype friends. They probably won't know what it is, but it will sound profoundly cool, so they'll just nod.

2. Self-sufficiency. There are two things about self-practice that are difficult to communicate verbally. First, it's really only AFTER you've committed the gross movements to memory - both each posture as well as how to get in and out of them - that the potential of practice starts to open up. Beyond THINKING about the postures, the depth of experience is accessible. Second, when you know what comes next and how to do it you just feel...different. How? Hmmmm...mostly like a f*$%in' yoga-ninja bada$$.

3. Does class seem too fast or too slow sometimes? In Mysore class you can set your own pace. (Disclaimer: this does not include 60 minutes of "take rest" at the end. Let's keep it moving, people.)

4. Silence. No instructor yakkety-yakkin' in some faux-Indian accent. It's just the dragon-lair/bellows rhythm of students moving and breathing.

5. One-to-one instructor attention. In a led class, everyone is doing the same thing at the same time, so the instructor can adjust, at most, one or two people in any given posture (not to mention that fact that he/she is trying to talk and count - in another language, mind you - the whole time). Because of the own-pace of Mysore class, the instructor is (mostly) able to adjust each person in each posture required: binds in the Marichyasana and Kurmasana postures, getting the arms through in Garbha Pindasana, etc. You can learn about and improve on difficult postures much faster getting consistent adjustments.

6. Backbending. There is an aspect of traditional Ashtanga practice that involves assisted backbending, teaching drop-backs and other great party tricks. It's not possible to do this in a led class, but it is an essential part of Mysore.

7. It's a moveable feast: you learn the sequence in class and then those times when you can't come to class you know just what to do...

8. The Good News: above and beyond the Primary Series, there are five more series of postures. Mysore class is the way to eventually move into these series, with the instructor "giving" you one posture at a time to tack on the end of your existing practice.

9. The Bad News: there are five more series. If you come to Mysore class, the instructor might give you some more postures.

10. Inner peace: BAM!

We'll see you there...

(thanks to AshtangaNews.com and Govinda Kai - the instructor adjusting Paschimattanasana above - for the pics)

Anusara Buzz

2009-04-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

We're still flying high after a couple of great workshops with Sara Strother this past weekend. We thought we'd seen everything, but both Friday night and Saturday morning held some new postures, flows, and wisdom. We can't wait until Sara's back in town for the next family get-together (Flag Day, anyone?) - maybe she'll school us again?

Speaking of Anusara, we've found an interesting video of instructor Darren Rhodes making this poster:

It's sort of an Anusara take on Dharma Mittra's classic:

A quick comparison:

Mittra: 908 postures taken over who-knows-how-many days. In addition to postures, includes some pics of kriyas (cleansing practices, like nauli) and other yoga practices. All of these pics were taken by Mittra by himself, using a tripod and camera (FILM camera - this was a while ago) with handheld remote (connected by wire) to take the pic. Also used a camcorder and television. He would get into the posture, check the image in the television, and take the picture. It sounds easy enough, until you start to think about it: one-handed handstands, feet-to-head, arm balances - many times the picture was snapped using the teeth, as the hands were full.

Rhodes: 345 postures over two days. Each type of posture was performed in quick succession - all of the backbends in a row, all of the arm balances in a row, etc. As you watch the video below, you can see this and hear the photographer and assistants calling the next posture, even as he's coming out of the current one.

At first it seems like Rhodes had it much easier than Mittra -he didn't have to worry about the photography, for one thing, just do the postures, and usually only for a few seconds (e.g. Sayanasana - 1:32). But let's not forget that Mittra could take as much of a break as he wanted between each posture, while Rhodes was stuck in an endless vinyasa-type nightmare.

One way or another, it's an incredible thing to create one of these posters. Is anybody looking for a model for Savasana?

Here we go droppin' science...

2009-04-09T07:13:00.000-07:00

"...droppin' it all ov-ah..."

Vinyasa III: You've been warned

2009-03-30T09:53:00.001-07:00

There is a running joke about Saturday's Vinyasa III class: it starts off cute and quaint enough, a nice OM, some repetitions of Suryanamaskara, standing postures, etc. Everyone is looking neat as a pin,decked out in yoga's most fashionable clothes. Black mats dominate the space, with rugs accordion-folded at the ready. Soon enough, bodies warm up, the air thickens and, suddenly - cue that unmistakable beat - you're in the middle of Thriller: the room tilting with flashes of wild, contorted faces and lurching, slouching, twisted bodies moving in rhythm. Heaving, ragged breath presses in against the ears. E's laughter echoes throughout the cursed 3rd floor.

AAAAAAAiiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeee!!

(This isn't Thriller, but it is zombie yoga. You may have seen it before on Tiny Little Circles):

Well, for those that have been (and those that haven't), consider that we don't mess around on Saturdays. Deep backbends, arm balances galore (ofter combined with inversions), the weekly tradition of partner handstand work, plus a personal guarantee for a posture or two you've never, ever seen before (let alone considered subjecting yourself to). That said, once you cut loose your own expectations, there isn't a more satisfying or fun class in the tri-state area. Abhyasa and vairagya - constant practice and detachment - are just as true in intense, modern asana practice as they are in focused, seated meditation (which is what Patanjali was originally describing with the terms).

This past week we had a visit from our old friend Eka Pada Koundinyasana II (also known as Visvamitrasana B), as well as what one student - rather dramatically - called "all of the other arm balances". (*eyes roll*) Matthew Sweeney's Vinyasa Krama book continues to be an inspiration, though it has been secreted away to a safe location after some displeasure and even threats expressed by the victi-...er, students this week.

As enticing as this entry has surely made this class sound, unfortunately it will not be happening this week, April 4th. K & E will be traveling to exotic Iowa City, to serve as guest instructors at The Freestyle Yoga Academy (FYA) for a class of teachers in training (you may have seen FYA advertised in the Radish). Anywho, we're so sorry to say that the usual Vinyasa III festivities will be cancelled for the week in lieu of spreading the good cheer of the Primary Series and the basics of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga to our yogi friends to the west.

Of course, if you find yourself feeling dejected, bored, and in need of a Vinyasa III-type experience on Saturday afternoon, here are a few potential substitutions. They will produce approximately the same glowing sense of well-being the following day:

1) Get our your favorite extensive and impressive book of yoga postures. Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar or Asanas: 608 Yoga Poses by Dharma Mittra are good choices. Now, do all of the postures. Oh, and don't forget to vinyasa (jumpback) each time...

2) Throw yourself beneath a bus or train (whichever is most convenient).

3) Find a large, angry person looking to channel some rage. Begin provoking.

With these tips, you're sure to find yourself the kind Weekend Warrior that is proud to call the shala your home away from home.

Shala repre-SENT

2009-03-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

Well kids, we're already looking forward to the weekend yoga madness, as usual. It's only March and things are getting toasty in the practice space, just like we like it. Every Tuesday we're surprised at what a great session we fit into 60 minutes in the Guided Ashtanga class, a shortened version of the Primary Series. Wednesday night's Vinyasa II class is turning out to be a great test kitchen for ideas for Saturday's Vinyasa III. A pinch of this, a touch of that, stir and simmer for 90 minutes. Delicious. Add a little more spice on Saturday and serve.

There really are endless combinations. The potentials of the human form alone are incredible (individual postures), and when you begin combining them, with patterns of movement interacting...well, you know the rest. Equal parts familiarity (consistency) and novelty (creativity) usually make for a good vinyasa class. And don't forget, the request lines (info@tapasyogashala.com) are always open...

In breaking news, word is that we'll have some visiting yogis in the (hot)house on Sunday for the Primary Series. A few cats from Hothouse Yoga (a Bikram/Power studio in Coralville, IA) will be dropping by for some chatvari action. It promises to be a juicy, schwetty good time, as usual. We can't touch the thermostat (we're only renting, after all), so let's see what we can do to raise the temperature, er, naturally. Jumpbacks, anyone?

Shanti (peace) out!

The Joys of Yoga and the Art of Adjusting

2009-03-20T11:42:00.000-07:00

A few videos to whet the appetite for some weekend practice.

Pattabhi Jois is no longer teaching, but his timeless presence is captured here: the shorts, the broken English, the impatience, the confusion, the vague hand gestures. It's classic Ashtanga Vinyasa, at it's finest. Who could forget those profound words: "Take it your hand! Tight it!"

Oh, and that poor guy on the left.

Here we see more of why Guruji is Guruji: his light touch, patience, and willingness to "listen to the body," a Western yoga catchphrase that surely originated in Mysore. The "standing on the heels" move is unprecedented. And during the feet-to-the-head move, notice how some get two or three five-counts (joy!), and witness Tim Miller (the third guy to be adjusted) release into bliss after Guruji's compassionate, healing touch.

See you in class!!

Kino

2009-03-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, we spent last Friday in Chi town at Moksha Yoga studio. The guest of honor, Mrs. Hot Shorts herself, Kino MacGregor. As promised, a photo...

...isn't she super cute???

The morning started off with a Mysore class. Thankfully, one of the instructors from Moksha who was there thought to crank the heat up. It was a wonderfully warm, juicy practice. We played it conservative and did the Primary Series. It seemed there were a lot of people on the other side of the coin, just going for Intermediate. Hmmmmmm.

In the afternoon, we returned for an adjustments workshop which was really wonderful. If you haven't figured it out yet, Kino is tiny. Easily under 100 pounds. Despite her small stature, she's super strong and a great adjuster. She talked us through several adjustments for the first half of the primary series and demonstrated how the postures weave back and forth preparing the body for Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana.

We found Kino to be smart, straight-forward and a little sassy. Just our style. She'll be back at Moksha in October and in Minneapolis in May. If you ever get the chance, check this chica out!

She's BAAAAaaaack....

2009-03-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

This is Sara Strother. Remember her? She dropped by the shala in November to totally school E at his own game in his *yawn* Vinyasa III class. We know what you're thinking - about E and another claim of persecution but, unlike those UFOs and KGB agents we're always hearing about, this time there WAS a witness, and Ann wrote a blog about the experience (it's after the stuff about shopping).

Anywho...Sara is a Chicago-based Anusara instructor. (Check out her website: abalancedpractice.com). She also might be a ninja (again, see pics). One way or another, she is one bad-ass chica, as Ann would say. Anusara Yoga, by the way, is the system founded by John Friend, with whom Sara has studied (she's also studied with just about every other notable Anusara teacher in the country). If you don't know, you betta axe somebody. Or read about Anusara Yoga here.

(Not to digress, but how do these yogis end up with these names - John Friend, Richard Freeman, David Life - can these possibly be their given names? Usually to have to become a monk and take a spiritual name to get something like that - and even then it's in Sanskrit!)

We've just confirmed Sara for two workshops at the shala next month.

Friday, April 10th, 630-8p will be Align with the Divine: An Exploration of the Anusara Universal Principles of Alignment. This class is appropriate for everyone (beginner and up). It will be an introduction to some of the basic elements of Anusara Yoga. Expect a rounded class with standing and seated postures, with both flow and alignment emphasized in the sequence.

Saturday, April 11th, 9-1130a Sara will teach Hearts on Fire: An Anusara Radical Expansion Class. We let her know that we like things hot and sweaty the shala, and she's obliged with this vinyasa-style class that promises to include arm balances, inversions, and backbends. For this one there are some prerequisites to ride the rides, kids: we ask that you are able to kick up into inversions at the wall (unassisted) and press up into Urdhva Dhanurasana.

We're working on pricing, how many spots to offer (it will be limited and probably full) and the other fine print for this event, but wanted to let you know as soon as we knew. Be sure to save the date - it's going to be a good one.

If you want more info about this event, the prerequisites mentioned (a new phenomenon for yoga in this area, we know) or to get your name on the list, contact us at the shala at info@tapasyogashala.com or 309.236.6084.

More to come.

Birds and Clouds

2009-03-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and neighbors. It's been a good time recently at the shala, as we pulled off a workshop on the 2nd half of the Primary Series, graduated another class of yogis from the Intro course and, generally, continued to keep it real.

How do we do it, you ask? Mostly by jumping back first and asking questions later. We have a deep and abiding investment in and respect for the yogic tradition, in all of its spiritual and psychological genius. But we have recognized long ago that most of these things - the Yoga-sutra, the Bhagavad-gita, the Upanishads - are the spiritual equivalent of Einstein's relativity revelations. We all live in this same relative universe, and we can all recite that magic equation (it starts with an "E"), but that doesn't mean that we possess an inkling of its full implication. Such capacity takes much groundwork to cultivate.

So it is with yoga or any other contemplative tradition. Change happens slowly, and most of the "work" is indirect, creating change well below the level of conscious perception. Thankfully, there's the consolation of the "yoga butt" in the meantime, eh?

Somewhere along the way, New Age fluff and yoga cross-pollinated and created a real monster. You've seen it, even though it can be hard to identify. Magazines, conferences, products and, worst of all, advice. You think "I like this - it's about yoga" but you have the uneasy feeling that somehow it's actually NOT. It was summed up nicely by a student as "birds and clouds" - that saccharine, cloying, feel-good, self-absorption-disguised-as-self-discovery nonsense that's been around for a long time, but now has the word "yoga" in it.

In short, here's another great article at Slate.com that outlines it all nicely.

Beware.

Romance Postures Revealed

2009-03-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Ok friends, as promised...you can take a gander at the results of our rigorous survey in the comments of the Romance Postures entry, and we'll also mention them here. But without further ado, let's get to Matthew Sweeney's identified Romance Postures:

1. padmasana It's the most recognizable yoga posture, and if you can do this one, it's easy to forget how difficult it can be. The average Western student brings hips and knees with decades of culturally-dependent conditioning that involves very little external (lateral) rotation. In plain English, most folks knees don't do this. Of course, the hips are the real issue, but it's the knees that suffer, and it takes a long damn time for some people. Perhaps more than any other pose we'll list here, this one opens up a whole family of related postures and variations on other postures.

2. urdhva dhanurasana (dropback) Let's face it - we could all dropback if we really wanted to. What's stopping you (other than common sense and self-preservation)? To learn to dropback and come up is almost higher-order level integration of the body - above and beyond (and built upon!) the run-of-the-mill standing and seated postures. This is due to the coordination of the full length of the body and because of the use of momentum - something which is rare in yoga. Of course, we gradually try to eliminate momentum here as well, but at first it's unavoidable. And of course, we haven't even mentioned the fear factor: we witnessed students bawling in the middle of the shala in Mysore, having finally dropped back for the first time.

3. hanumanasana Another quinessential, classic posture, not just in yoga but in all physical arts. She is beautiful, but she is a Siren, her beak and claws bloody with the hamstrings of the over-eager. And yet, you keep going back and trying...there's just something about that beautiful symmetry...4. adho mukha vrksasana Enough said. Well maybe not quite...I mean seriously, what's cooler than standing on your hands? This one also opens up new vistas of poses, variations, and, especially, vinyasa combinations. It's different than all the other postures here because balance is an enigma, and entirely different animal than strength and flexibility, which seem to follow a more-or-less linear development. There really isn't anything anybody can tell you about handstand. You almost have to pretend you're the first person who ever tried to do this and figure it out for yourself, especially once you're trying to move from using the wall (which, let's face it, is mostly lame) to free-standing. In the living room. At the studio. At the office. In the grocery store. Doctor's office. Countless. G**d**n. Times. Until you finally get it...and can hold your newfound skill over everyone's head, literally (talk about a motivator!) As a final note on adho mukha vrksasana, notice that it is eventually combined with the urdhva dhanurasana dropback, sort of like when the Power Rangers link up to create one enormous hero. In this case, the final product is viparita chakrasana, the hands-over-feet-over-hands, back-and-forth movement that could be considered the pinnacle (or maybe a pinnacle) of yogasana as a purely physical practice.

Strangely absent are eka/dwi pada sirsasana, the leg-behind-the-head postures. These are perhaps second only to padmasana as far as recognizability within yoga and also as a prerequisite for a number of other postures.

As far as our survey, handstand was the most common answer. Other than that, there was a surprising diversity: backbends, arm balances, hip movements. You can certainly tell the Ashtanga influence, as some people are thinking in terms of movements and posture combinations. At the risk of turning this into a Daily OM...it is pretty certain that whichever postures are most evasive for you, they are the ones that teach the most.

Ok, enough chit-chat. Let's get back to work on that adho mukha vrksasana, eh?

Ashtanga FAQ

2009-02-24T08:35:00.001-08:00

We're still hoping to get some more responses to our call for your "romance postures" (see previous entry), but found something additional worth sharing in the meantime.

Tejas Yoga is an Ashtanga Studio in Houston that, apparently, likes their practice pretty intense. (They also have some great photos and video clips...) However, these fine folks apparently feel, as we are wont to do at the shala, that a splash of humor is healthy when taking the body to its limits. Or, at least, before or after class.

Here is an excerpt from the FAQ section of their site. As someone, somewhere, once said (probably), "It's funny because it's true."

What is a Mysore rug? A rug is a nice addition to your mat if you sweat a lot and start sliding midway through your practice. Otherwise the mysore rug is what you wrap your sticky mat in so that you can store it away safely in the big closet with all the other failed sporting goods purchases made in the past.

How much water should I drink during practice? Proper hydration is very important, especially in Houston. Traditionally no water is drunk during Ashtanga practice. Come well hydrated and also drink plenty afterwards. In my experience as a teacher water is mainly a way to get a break from the practice. If there are special needs please discuss it with your teacher but avoid putting a water bottle next to your mat and pausing every six breaths to drink.

Can I bring my cellphone? Only if you have a bluetooth headset, talk in a whisper and make wild arm gestures. Please turn off your cellphone during class or even better leave it in your car or at home so you do not forget to turn it off. If you have a grave emergency and need to be by the phone maybe yoga should not be on the menu that day. Or maybe some quiet practice at home is in order. That might help you feel better while not disrupting the other students in class.

What about toweling off the sweat? That is part of the winning trifecta: water bottle, cellphone and towel. If you have all three your are an accomplished non practitioner. Towelling off between every pose because you are made of sugar and you might melt, drinking your way to hyponatremia and keeping an ear out for when the cell will vibrate in your handbag will assure your yogic progress. You should use a towel to wipe the space around your mat if you sweat profusely. Otherwise leave it at home, Linus.

Romance Postures

2009-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

This is Matthew Sweeney.

In his Vinyasa Krama book, in which he creates some of his own Ashtanga-is-for-sissies posture sequences, he writes a brief blurb about "romance postures." Obviously, you're immediately thinking Kama Sutra, but in this case he means "the asana that students fantasize most about accomplishing, particularly when they are inappropriate for you."

He names four postures. I think we'd agree that the four he has chosen are apt for his description. However, before we mention them, let's do a brief, informal survey between those who read this blog (yeah, both of you). What are your four "romance postures?" Now, this doesn't mean that they are postures you can't do...perhaps they were at one time, but you've gotten them and now you can be smug about it. Or, maybe this or that posture miraculously came easily for you, but you still love to do it. Or, we could very well be talking about postures that are still out of reach. They also do not necessarily have to be extreme. An informal Cambridge survey came up with postures like Vrksasana and Chaturanga Dandasana, neither of which would we have anticipated.

We'll give it a week and post Matthew's four next Sunday, 3/1. And if you happen to have the book or know which four he chose, let's not ruin the surprise, eh?

Fair warning: Google Image searches for "romance poses" or "romance postures" will NOT get you what you are looking for; "romance positions" is even worse (or better, depending).

In the meantime, check out this tiny section from one of the sequences in Vinyasa Krama. You may need to view it on its own to get the full flavor.

Yoga Turf War

2009-02-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

Take a gander at this recent article on Slate, as an Ashtangi reporter attends a Bikram-based Yoga Competition (as he says, technically any style is welcome...). In case you've been practicing in a cave and haven't heard of Bikram Choudhury, you really should read up on him. He's about the most colorful fella in yoga community and has a...knack for the soundbite. In this article alone, his comments on his balls and the, er, atmosphere of an Iyengar studio are priceless.

The "yoga competition" is only growing in popularity and presence, including a local boy turned champion - Mike, who used to practice in the QC and has since moved to Chicago. Whatever your feelings on the West-meets-East vibe of competitive yoga, we can all be thankful that asana developed, or we'd all be watching a riveting competitive meditation contest (suck on this inner peace - BAM!).

While outwardly different, in fact Ashtanga and Bikram are very similar - rigid formats, extreme physical demands, rigorous practice schedules, well-known gurus, largely optional clothing. For all of these reasons and more (weight loss, they make you look good naked, etc), they are very appealing to the average Western overachiever (not YOU, but probably somebody you know...).

Thankfully, as Richard Freeman is fond of saying, any reason for starting a yoga practice is a good one - selfless service, samadhi, or that killer yoga butt (we're going for all three). There are no guarantees, but maybe we'll all eventually begin to internalize, contemplate, and realize. AFTER I've got Third Series, that is (Dikasana - BAM!).

Perhaps more than any other style, Bikram and Ashtanga practitioners find it easy to start believing in some sort of across-the-board superiority for their chosen system. Too bad it's all conditional and transient; both of these systems are flashes in the pan in the grand scheme of at least 5000 years of yoga practice. They are here today and will be gone tomorrow as the outward form of yoga practice continues, like water, to flow and take the shape of its container: the culture of the time.

However, while it's here, let's all put on our booty shorts and work it!!!

Kudos!!!

2009-02-09T18:54:00.000-08:00

Hurray! Yippee! Hurrah! Kudos!

The tapas yoga shala photo shoot was a major success. We got to peek at a few pics and we are soooooo excited to see how the rest turn out. Facebook fans- check out Shuva's site by typing in "accent photographics" into the search menu. She mentioned she would be posting some of the pictures in the next few days. So excited.

In other developments, we have secured our place this summer at the Matthew Sweeney workshop at Yoga House in Minneapolis, MN. You can check out their site at www.yogahouse.net. We are especially excited because this week will include 4 days of supervised Mysore practice, which we have not had since leaving Mysore. In addition, there will be three days of workshops, two learning some of the sequences Matthew has developed, jumping through and jumping back, vinyasa, backbending, mula bandha and headstand, handstand and meditation. Yum!

Anyway, check out Shuva and become a fan of tapas on Facebook!

The Shala needs YOU!!

2009-01-22T14:34:00.000-08:00

Alright, Shivas and Shaktis, yogis and yoginis. It looks like we'll be shooting some pics at the shala in a few weeks. Well, actually, we often shoot pics during class for no particular reason (except maybe this blog). But in this case, we'll have an actual pho-TA-grapher who knows how to work a lens. The idea is to get ourselves a nice file of quality photos for any ol' promotional/self-aggrandizing future purposes we may have or come up with.

Currently, it looks like we'll be shooting on February 7th and 8th, during Saturday's Vinyasa III (1230 - 2) and Sunday's ubiquitous Led Primary Series, respectively. We'd like to have lots of people in these classes, for obvious reasons, and so we're putting out the call and offering a $5 drop-in cost for any and all who heed it. These classes will go as they always do; that is, we won't be "posing up" any shots or doing any 3rd, 4th, or 10th takes on Dikasana to get the photo just right. We want to represent the shala for what it is: real yoga, in real time. REAL TALK!! (this will take you to an extremely HI-larious but witheringly profane video by R. Kelly. That's right: R-Kels. I don't think he does Ashtanga...meh. Watch if you dare - you've been warned!)

We're also considering inviting in a traveling/professional yogi to do a workshop and/or kirtan for us. Anybody interested?

Finally, here's a creepy pic to freak your sh*t out.

Ashtanga Yogasana

2009-01-16T09:07:00.000-08:00

From Matthew Sweeney's Book Ashtanga Yoga As It Is, which by the way, we are loving.

"...When the complete beginner learns Suryanamaskara, he or she repeats it until it is committed to memory. Self-practice begins with the first class. It does not really mater how well (physically) the individual does it: there should be no judgment on how it looks. Memorizing the practice is vital. This is often more confronting for a beginner than physically doing it...

... Repetition is key aspect of learning. As the postures are committed to memory, there is a correxponding level of trust in the body: you know what you are doing, you know what comes next. There is no anxiety anticipating what the next thing will be. The physical aspect begins to develop with a gradual increase of flexibility and strength as the body and mind syncronise. It is most important to focus on the process rather than the outcome."

So, as Guruji would say
"99% practice 1% therory"

Now that we seem to be able to load pictures...

2009-01-06T10:54:00.000-08:00

Here's a good one, if surreal, from the early morning after the Grand Opening:

L to R: Dr. Jayashree, K, Sri Narasimhan. These two are continuing their US tour: here they are alongside some big names (who will all be coming through the shala, sooner or later, of course) at Kino MacGregor's Miami Life Center (scroll down to 1/16/09)

Here's Kino "Queen of the Yoga Shorts" MacGregor in action:

IAC World Champs

2009-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Awww...just look at 'em on graduation day, glowing with accomplishment, ready to head out into the great big world and, well, probably take a nap. They've earned it - let's just say that if we had a nickel for every chaturanga from these five over the last four days, we'd already be on a plane to Mysore.

Anyone who thought that the last leg of the Challenge would be a downhill coast has never been to K on Sundays. And we all have, so at least no one was under any delusions about how this run through Ye Ol' Primary would go. A great time was had by all: smiling, eye rolling, pleading - anything to keep from crying. One particular exchange, after Bhujapidasana:

K: Take legs to Bakasana...exhale Chatvari jump back...
*sounds of several bodies crumpling into piles*
K: Awww....too bad. Pancha inhale, shat exhale...

Shout out to our Iron Ashtangis: Brian, Jeff, Jen, Kathy, and Tracy! Shout out to our honorable mentions, attending three out of four: Jill and Ann! Y'all's crazy! Seriously, though, we couldn't be happier with they way these classes all went - double digit attendance each day (ok, so Saturday only had 9...but that's not bad when class includes, among other things, "floating" Dandasana)

With Ann's Garbha Pindasana "adjustments" making such a splash on the blogs, we can't miss the opportunity to say that if you're working on this one (in which you slide the arms through the legs in Padmasana), you can't help but take a little longer to get into it (at first) than is allotted during a led class. You're likely to barely get one hand through before it's time to roll. In this case, especially b/c there's not daily self-practice as there is in the formal system in Mysore, it's better to keep at it (getting the arms through) and just miss the rolling and maybe even Kukkutasana (or, just one roll back and then lift up to sync with everyone as they finish their rolling) for a few weeks/months and master getting the arms through, perhaps with the spray bottle, a strong adjustment, or both, until it becomes easier to perform quickly on your own. While this one, like any pose, will also benefit from home practice, in particular it takes being quite warmed up and sweaty, and you're likely to have quite a lot of each on Sundays, so take the time to get it down. This is a long-term process and don't forget that in Mysore they would stop you here each day anyway, until you'd gotten it. You can always add the rolling/floundering in a bit. You know who you are...and so do we.

Jeez...it's only the 5th and it seems we've already "shot the wad" for the year at tapas. What next? Oh yeah, get up tomorrow and do it all over again. And again. And again...

...see you in class...

2009-01-03T16:02:00.000-08:00

Well, well, friends and neighbors, hope your Saturday was as fun as the Vinyasa III time we had at the shala. The room was barely cooled off from last night's led Primary Series class and we were back at it. Hard to say what Freud would make of it, but two students admitted to dreaming about the room - "I'm not sure what was happening, but there was just so much beige..."

So, technically Vinyasa III isn't Ashtanga, per say, at least not by the book. Sharath would spot this "setlist" of postures as the work of a poser (E) any day. However, to quote somebody, somewhere, at some time: "But we just have so much fun, baby!"

In particular, the pack of ashtangis nearing the final stretch of the Challenge was on hand and on point. We had The Return of Jill, and yet another visiting yogi passing through: Dan from Hawaii was kind enough not to rub it in (that he's from and soon going back to Hawaii) and hung right with us through the usual Saturday madness - arm balances, inversions, deep hip movements. He also wouldn't admit to knowing Obama (yeah right - like Hawaii is such a big place).

Today we experimented with some of the unique vinyasa entries and exits that exist in the Intermediate (second) Series of Ashtanga. Mayurasana, Nakrasana, and Vatayanasana (pictured) made for great fun. You can see all of these poses as they are done in the flow of the series in this video (featuring some of the world's best known ashtangis as well as the man himself, Sri K Pattabhi Jois, everyone's favorite guru/enlightened being/high school PE coach - just look at those shorts!). For those of you looking for some adventure, here is another picture of Vatayanasana. View at your own risk...it's hard to tell from the picture, but you never know - it just might be That One Guy Who Was Next to You in That Class That One Time (you know the one we mean).

In another exciting development, we've uncovered some photos of the ancient, crumbling papyrus documents that E draws the Saturday classes from. Their origin, as well as how he came to possess them is still unknown, but it's clear from viewing them that they've come from a oral, barely literate tradition:

We are rounding the bend into the final straightaway of the Challenge '09. We'll end it in style tomorrow with the Sunday led Primary Series, barely five months old and already an institution.

If you don't know, you betta ax' somebody.

Free Primary Series: C'mon get happy!

2009-01-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

Day Two of the Challenge saw the shala again nearly full to capacity for a free led Primary Series class. A Friday 5 o'clock led class is traditional in Mysore as well (5 am, rather than pm, but who's counting?) We had newbies, yogis, and card-carrying ashtangis ripping it up together. The night started with the sad news that K (of K & E) would not be there, as she was observing another Indian tradition: mysterious stomach ailments.

No matter - we perservered. It seemed a case of the 100th monkey as even those who shouldn't have known their ekam from their ardha slipped easily into the flow and soon enough the whole room was resonating, inhaling and exhaling. The first Om was probably audible from the Centennial bridge, at least.

Though there was a standing offer to stop and simply watch at any time, everyone (except a few who had another obligation) finished the whole series, Om to Om. Color us impressed: perhaps it was simple a matter of the price is right.

We have a few in the running to finish the full Challenge, and we're halfway home. Today's 1230 Vinyasa III is sure to separate the wheat from the chaff, as we put our own spin on the Ashtanga practice structure and crank it up to 11. There has been talk that for this to really be an Ashtangi Challenge, we shouldn't wander outside of orthodoxy, in which case we may just need to try on a 4th or 5th series today and see how it fits.

We'll just have to see what happens...

Mysore practice? BAM!

2009-01-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

(if you don't "get" the title, read this (toward the bottom of the page) - thanks, Jeff)

The Challenge got off to a ripping start this afternoon, with 15 students jumping, breathing, and "studying" their way through the Primary Series. The shala was nearly full to capacity and Baby New Year got his first good whoopin' of '09. The first, but not the last - oh, not by a long shot.

Highlights certainly included the attendance of visiting Ashtangis from Alabama, Iowa City...even "Moline" (ever heard of it?). It doesn't get much better than the opportunity to practice with other teachers and studio owners at our lil' ol' shala. James, Megan, Christopher, Kimberly - mad props.

This was for many of us one of the first challenges/opportunities in self-practice and, while it all seems pretty straightforward on Sundays ("Lemme guess...'jump back'?"), remembering what comes next can be daunting.

Luckily, there were plenty of books, flyers, hand-written notes, and other cheat sheets scattered about. We had to laugh thinking about such a scene were it to take place in Mysore, under the eye of Sharath: oh, the humanity! Oh, the wrathful Ut Plutihi that would follow! Who knows, though, maybe some of those ashtangis have (waterproof) crib notes tucked into their shorts...we were mostly too tired to pay much attention while we were there...

All in all, we can't call it anything but a smashing success, and hopefully a class that can be repeated and eventually added at more times during the week as we continue to peddle this practice on every street corner, looking to get people hooked. Nothing but a couple of pushers.

Best spied cheat sheet line:

"...sit (x10)
lift up (x10)
rest!" (that is, "watch me take this rest...BAM!")

Best adjustment(s):

You've got to hand it to Ann who, after floating through the Intro to Ashtanga course in September (that's only four months ago, for those of you keeping score at home), rocked some Garbha Pindasana today. Sure, it took getting misted like a houseplant and then dribbled lik e a basketball, but it's all in the name of spiritual evolution, eh? Welcome to 2009, Ann...I think it's going to be your year.

Up next...TGIF (Thank Ganesh It's Free) Primary Series, Friday, Jan 2, 530p. See you there!!

Iron Ashtangi Challenge

2008-12-29T15:15:00.000-08:00

QC Ashtangis- Let's see what you're made of. As Ann would say "Cue the Rocky music"

We are proud to announce the first ever in recorded history (maybe?) Iron Ashtangi Challenge. This event spans four grueling days beginning Thursday, January 1st with Mysore practice at 1:00pm. The madness continues Friday evening as Iron Ashtangi takes over Yoga Happy Hour Friday, January 2nd from 5:30-7:00pm. Jump back and get happy. Still have arms to lift up with ?? Evan's Vinyasa III, Saturday January 3rd will change that. And if you dare, if you are ashtangi enough to handle it (by that I mean totally out of your mind), the event comes to a finish Sunday, January 4th with the Led Primary Series 11:00am. Consider yourself lucky if you can drive yourself home after uthpluthi. "Only 9!"

Upon completion* of The Iron Ashtangi Challege you will receive a certificate noting your achievement (I'm not kidding. We're actually making certifiactes for this stupid thing.) And yes Brian, you will also receive a t-shirt OR a free class.

*Excessive "limping and bitching" will result in disqualification, so don't even go there. That means you Barbie.

Good Luck!

E & K

For more of this excellent Action Figure Ashtangis- Check out www.yogabeans.com.

Quotastic

2008-12-23T14:31:00.000-08:00

"In the olden days, tapas meant standing in cold water on one foot for hours at a time, or wearing a loin cloth in the freezing cold, and suchlike. However, these methods are unnecessary for spiritual evolution...

Austerities for people of this age involve doing those things which test the willpower and strength of mind and body. If you are used to getting up at 7 a.m. and if you change this habit and make yourself get up at 4 a.m., this is tapas. Once you are accustomed to it, it no longer remains an austerity. Austerity is doing away with comforts and luxuries...and involves...doing tasks which you do not like, etc. Once you adjust yourself to such conditions, they no longer remain austerities for you. These processes mold the body and mind into a purer and more sattwic state and they help in spiritual growth."

- Swami Muktibodhananda

This Blows

2008-12-21T08:52:00.000-08:00

It pains us to do it, but Sunday Ashtanga is canceled for today. Your favorite yoga teachers are still thawing out after a snowbound car debacle. Remember - stay warm, stay safe, and practice anyway. Just do it.

When the Circus Comes to Town/The Madness Continues

2008-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season to give the gift for the person who has everything, the present that will leave them saying "And...why did you give me this?", the one sure to go down in the books as the oddest present ever...that's right, have K & E do their freak show yoga demo for your family member, loved one, or sworn enemy. It's also the perfect gift for weddings, baby showers, bachelor(ette) parties, bah mitzvahs, singing (stretching) telegrams - you name it and your favorite yoga couple is more than ready to whore themselves out.

It was just such a show at superyogi Pete McDermott's party for the 30th anniversary of his construction company this Friday. Now, it's clear what you're thinking: a yoga demo at a construction company anniversary party - what could be more natural? Yet, as logical as it seems, it was a bit odd rolling in, mats under arms, weaving through the slacks, pantsuits, and jamtrack jazz. It was immediately clear that at the very least, it might be wise to nix any chanting.

As we started, it occurred to me that if "wtf?" can in fact be classified as an emotion (recent scientific evidence says it can), it was exactly that emotion that filled the room and the chatter died away. They really seemed to like the floating, and it was clear that most of them had never considered the benefit in putting your _______ above/behind/around/through/between your _______.

But they know now.

The best moment was definitely at the end, after some startled applause, when the crowd broke into "Pete! Pete! Pete! Pete!" demanding to see the host's skillz. Luckily, he was wearing a brand new Gucchi sweater that simply could be risked. Instead, the jazz returned, and the moment passed.

Shout out to the yogis who were there. We're pretty sure they came for us, and that the free beer had nothing to do with it. Even though it was Fat Tire. Ice cold. On tap. Did we mention free?

And then, as we were leaving, K fell ass first on the ice, first step out of the place. Namaste.

ALSO....

Saturday's Vinyasa III continues to set the standard for advanced yoga in the area. If you've ever wondered what the full breadth and depth of the asana system has to offer, stop on by and see what's what. Today (as every week) we partnered up for Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Downward Facing Tree pose aka Handstand). Other highlights included some deep backbending: Kapotasana (shown here in an...uh...assisted version) and Chakra Bandhasana (demonstrated in B&W by Dharma Mittra); arm balances, including Bakasana from Sirsasana, and lots of forward bending - while lying on the back, strangely enough. We don't all manage to pull off every pose - far from it, in fact, but trying them all is a great time. It's both humbling and motivating. uplifing and calming, as any good yoga whoopin' should be. Good times, good times. It all culminated in a Quotastic:

"I can only do one thing at a time - panic or breathe."

The shala will be closed 12/24 (Wed) through 12/27 (Sat) and will reopen for Sunday class 12/28. You can always drop us a line here or at info@tapasyogashala.com. Holla back!

FYI

2008-12-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

No classes at tapas tonight on account of the snow.
Sorry but we must keep our Evan safe!

Shanti

Yes!!!

2008-12-10T15:24:00.001-08:00

Oh! Oh!
Click the tapas link.
Evan and I are so very happy today.

Shamless Business Promotion- Ignore if Necessary

2008-12-09T15:55:00.000-08:00

Just a friendly reminder Thai Yoga Massage Gift Certificates and tapas yoga shala gift certificates are available for holiday gift giving.

I'm so ashamed of myself.

So- The website was supposed to be up today. I haven't seen it yet but I'm still hopeful. Also, we have started using an email marketing service called Mail Chimp (we thought you'd like that Jen :)). You'll have to watch your inbox for holiday schedule updates.

Quotastic

2008-12-05T09:30:00.000-08:00

"Watch out because Kelly Sr. is in town this week"

- Evan commenting on the mystique surrounding Saturday class.

Jedi Yoga: Jump back, you will

2008-11-22T16:59:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the hardes...er, most fun yoga class in the QC. There once was a time when the "h" word (along with the "s" word - "sweat") was shameful in relation to yoga in the QC: we're just moving and breathing, right? Yes, yes we are, moving ourselves all over that mat, getting heavier and heavier. Maybe that's why we've seen this type of yoga - full of arm balances, core strength and postures that cultivate a true lightness of body - called "jedi" yoga, because like Luke Skywalker, you must use The Force, otherwise that 15th "Lift up" just isn't happening.

It's truly "tapas," penance and austerity, to practice with this intensity, hovering at the knife edge of the body's limits. It's not right for everyone, of course (no one practice style is), but some wouldn't have it any other way. Here, there is no choice but to learn to surrender, no room for ego. Progress is sharp and steep, as is the learning curve.

We've had a request to share the sequence from today. Like any vinyasa class at tapas, we follow the basic Ashtanga format: Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations), standing postures, seated postures, backbending, and closing postures. Within this framework, the selection of postures varies every week. The pacing and selection of postures is adjusted to suite the difficulty level: Vinyasa I is a great beginner class; II is a little more challege and adventure; Vinyasa III is not for the faint of heart, but an absolute blast for those wanting to try something different and not attached to results.

A bit of background to better understand the postures sequence included here. It's in Sanskrit, but with a little help from Google image search, you'll get the idea. Unless otherwise noted, each posture is done on both sides. Often, the movements of Surya Namaskara A are used to move in and out of postures, called "vinyasa." Sometimes we do a "full vinyasa" - from Samasthitih (basic standing pose) into the posture and back up to Samasthitih. Other times, it's a "half-vinyasa": from seated, jumping back to Chaturanga Dandasana, Up-dog, Downdog, and then the next posture. This gives an incredible sense of flow and heat through the whole practice. Each posture is held for five breaths. All non-standing poses with a left and right side include a half-vinyasa between sides, but we've left this out to save space.

So, without further ado...

Surya Namaskara A (x5), B (x3)
Utthita Trikonasana/Parvritta Trikonasana/Samasthitih
Utthita Parsvakonasana/Parvritta Parsvakonasana/Samasthitih
Virabhadrasana III (called - I'm not kidding - "Dikasana" in the Ashtanga series) arms forward/arms wide/arms forward/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Vasisthasana/vinyasa/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Utkatasana/lift up/vinyasa/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Sirsasana lift into Bakasana or Urdhva Kukkutasana/vinyasa/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Koundinyasana I/vinyasa/Koundinyasana II/vinyasa/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Virabhadrasana I/II/vinyasa/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Adho Mukha Vrksasana/vinyasa/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Pasasana/vinyasa
Paschimottanasana/vinyasa
Purvottanasana/vinyasa
Ustrasana/vinyasa
Parighasana/vinyasa/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Chaturanga Dandasana/Urdhva Mukha Svanasana A (head up)/B (head down)/vinyasa/Samasthitih
Natarajasana/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana/vinyasa
Bhujangasana/vinyasa
Rajabhujangasana/vinyasa
Samanasana A/B/vinyasa
Hanumanasana/vinyasa
Akarana Dhanurasana/vinyasa
Viparita Dandasana/chakrasana
Eka Pada Sirsasana/vinyasa
Urdhva Dhanurasana (x3)/chakrasana/Paschimottanasana
Sarvangasana/Halasana/Karna Pidasana/Matsyasana/chakrasana
Sirsasana
Baddha Padmasana/Yogamudrasana/Padmasana
Ut Pluthi/vinyasa/Samasthitih/vinyasa
Savasana

*whew*

Mysore Success

2008-11-20T13:56:00.000-08:00

Today, I couldn't be happier :) In only it's second week up and running, Tapas Yoga Shala saw it's first successful Mysore style class. Brian, Jill and Evan spent a bit of the afternoon here practicing the Primary Series. I was envious to be in the room only watching but it was great!

A Mysore class is different than any other type you've been to. It is, of course, an Ashtanga yoga practice but one that is appropriate for all levels- even beginners! Mats are rolled out cotton rugs on call, and we all start at the top of the mat with the Opening Chant. After OM, it's off to the races, everyone moving through the Primary Series (or as much as they know) at their own pace. A teacher (that's me) eagerly waits for the chance to help when the next pose escapes you or when an adjustment is needed.

I have found this style a highly effective way of learning the series, putting what you know to the test but reassured there is someone there when you need help. It's also a building block for developing a regular, home practice. A must for those who wish to reap the benefits Ashtanga yoga has to offer.

If you have the time, check it out. There's nothing to fear!!!
Thursdays, 1:00pm shala time

2008-11-11T15:52:00.001-08:00

Grrrrrrr.

Blogger is not uploading pictures!!!!!

Help anyone?????

Check it

2008-11-03T20:26:00.000-08:00

Here's the Dispatch/Radish article about our summer yoga adventures as posted on QCOnline. Even if you've read it, take another look and scroll down to see the comments posted by readers. It's worth it...

Ready for launch...

2008-10-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

tapasyogashala.com!!!

Tapas Yoga Shala Grand Opening

2008-10-21T15:08:00.000-07:00

Please join us for an evening of yogic philosophy, Q&A, and Indian culture with guest scholars Sri Narasimhan and Dr Jayashree of Mysore, India. E & K studied with these two over the summer and they are truly special. Leave your Prana water bottle and Lululemon Shakti Sweat Shammi at home and come see the real deal, yogic scholars straight from the subcontinent, and straight from the tradition (we can make this dig because we use and love these brands). Do not miss this opportunity as we celebrate the opening of Tapas Yoga Shala (E & K's new and, we'd like to think, premiere yoga school) in cooperation with the Davenport School of Yoga.

Yoga: Philosophy and Tradition

November 6th, 6-8pm
421 Brady Street
Davenport, IA

E & K had the great opportunity to listen to Yoga Sutra lectures with Sri Narasimhan while in Mysore, India. To our great surprise, Sri Narasimhan and his sister, Dr. Jayashree are embarking on a US tour and we were lucky enough to secure them for this workshop. Don't ask how; we can't believe it either. The evening will be nice and informal; please bring all those burning yoga questions you've been chewing on, as you likely won't find a better opportunity for answers anywhere this side of the Ganges. This duo will also be presenting at Moksha Yoga Studio in Chicago, IL, several studios in NYC including both US Jivamukti Yoga Centers (David Life and Sharon Gannon), The Miami Life Center (Kino MacGregor), and many other prestigious locations. The event is free, though free-will donations are greatly appreciated to cover the cost of the workshop, including a donation to our presenters to further their teaching. Tapas Yoga Shala will not keep any profit from this event...except of course any wisdom that sticks between the ears and the bragging rights gained by hosting these two fabulous presenters.

Please call with any questions - 309-236-6084 (Kelly)

We hope to see you there!!!

So Sorry!!!

2008-10-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you know, we haven't forgotten the blog community. We've been crazy busy, filming a commercial, picking out a logo for ourselves, renovating our soon-to-be new yoga shala, making arrangement for an opening (November 6th, BTW), teaching an Ashtanga Intro class,
and the biggest time consumer of all...
keepin' it real

Please stay tuned, so much more coming soon!

Yoga Word of the Week

2008-10-01T10:02:00.000-07:00

Our first entry of the new "Yoga Word of the Week" series is Tapas. No, not tiny, tasty savories, but "observances or practices performed to disipline the body and the sense organs. By means of tapas impurities are destroyed, mind and intellect are purified, and the body and senses are perfected."

All that craziness on Sunday's- tapas
Eating Veg- tapas
Mindful of how many drinks you've had- tapas
"Deep Breathing, Good Sound"- tapas

kayendriyasiddhirashuddhiksayah tapasah

[ The perfection of the body and sense organs is due to intensity in spiritual practice, being the elimination of impurities.]

- Patanjali Yoga Sutras ii:43

(taken from Yoga Mala, by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois)

Proof pt. 2

2008-09-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

An addendum to our discovery of (shaky) evidence of our appearance in Mysore. For those who truly have too much time on their hands, be sure to follow the links to the photos posted and then click the icon to the right of the picture to view as a slideshow - much bigger. Scroll through these pics (at the bottom, pause to view a picture for longer) - there are some really cool ones, particularly of Mysore-style (self) practice days. You can see the crazy energy of the room, the windows black in the pre-dawn, the many people doing different series, including some truly wicked poses. K & E think these pics really capture the feel of the practice there...and for those who learn by doing rather than by seeing, come by on Sunday and we'll give you a taste - Ashtanga yoga in the Quad Cities!!

The links again: Sweet Mysore Morning and Yoga Mudra and a new one Mysore, India, 6:33 AM. We're pretty sure that that's E in the last one, way on the left, Utthita Parsvakonasana, distinguishable by the right arm in the air and the hair under the chinny-chin-chin. I mean, how many OTHER bearded, yoga-bun wearing, white guys could there be?

PS Bonus points for locating E in the Mysore Morning pic...

PPS Hint: black shorts, far wall, Matsyasana

Quotastic

2008-09-22T08:06:00.000-07:00

"I know what you need...you need to jump back more."

- Richard Freeman, on the wisdom of Ashtanga vinyasa yoga

Proof!!!

2008-09-17T15:19:00.000-07:00

I am so excited today! Evan found photos taken at the Shala while we were there practicing and I am in TWO of them. They are not the most flattering, especially the second, but it's rare enough to have pictures from INSIDE the shala and even more rare that you might find yourself in one.

I guess flicker doesn't allow you to save the pictures to your computer, they're very clever. It's Ok though, this guy has a lot of pictures form Mysore and they are really interesting and well done. I might add, in the pictures of Mysore Mornings, there are relatively few people there compared to when we came back at the end of July. There surely were more than twice the students than in May/April. That was crazy. Crazy fun.

Can you find me in this one? A Hint: I wore my lavender top everyday we were there.

http://flickr.com/photos/govindakai/2547563351/in/photostream/

Like I said, this one, not so flattering. Obviously, I'm not the focal point of this pic, but still excited to see me, or at least most of me.

http://flickr.com/photos/govindakai/2548806998/

Shanti,
E and K

The road less traveled, or practicing Ashtanga yoga in the Quad Cities

2008-09-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

Wow.

It's been six Sundays worth of the Primary Series since our return from the subcontinent. That's the equivalent of one week of traditional Ashtanga yoga practice in the Quad Cities (the traditional schedule is Sunday through Friday, Saturdays off). K & E are each finding their voice in...um..."instructing" this class, which definitely has a different feel to it that most everything else in the Quad Cities yoga scene.

And my, how far we've come. It is remarkable to see the Sunday regulars (you know who you are - and so does everyone else by the limping and bitching every Monday). Already it is an entirely different class than we saw on that first Sunday in August. The body is fluid through time, reacting and adapting so quickly to these new demands placed on it. In addition to several...other things in the air on Sunday mornings, there is a new, palpable focus, confidence, and strength that wasn't there even two weeks ago. Dross burns off; the unnecessary falls away.

We can feel that students are getting a sense of what is coming next, that, though we rarely teach specific modifications w/in the flow, people know how to adapt everything as needed. And of course there is that post-practice high - contagious.

And let's not forget to mention our Intro class, having just wrapped up week two. The structure of this class is deceptively simple - we teach, step-by-step, the Ashtanga sequence over the course of the six weeks. Each class begins with an uninterrupted flow through everything we've learned so far, and then more step-by-step addition to that. This should take us all the way up through Navasana by the end of our six weeks, the perfect amount of experience to then wade into the Primary Series class. Even these first two weeks of the Intro class have been something to see: we've overheard students comparing notes about practicing Surya Namaskara during the week, and then seen that practice reflected in class.

We're all already getting to know one another, as well. The Intro class, having graciously warmed up the practice space, on their way out chatting briefly with the Primary Series folks on their way in.

One big, happy, sweaty, family, gathering at holidays to break bread and count blessings:

ONE...TWO...THREE...

Moon days

2008-09-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

Today, Monday the 15th, is a Moon Day. A Moon Day is the day corresponding to either the Full or New Moon each month.

In traditional Ashtanga practice (as well as some other Hatha practices), Moon Days are observed by abstention from practice, which is otherwise done six days per week. In Mysore, the shala is closed on Moon Days. This practice is also observed by many Ashtanga schools in the States.

It sounds both odd and familiar. There is definitely an echo of the urban legend about Emergency Rooms being swamped on the Full Moon. The reason for abstaining from practice also echoes the reasoning behind this ER legend: the ebb and flow of energy.

The moon exerts an observable effect on the water of the planet (tides), symbolic, it is said, of the rise and fall of energy. Is not the human body, the argument goes, made mostly of water? In yoga lore, it - the human body, YOUR body - is said to experience this same cycle. It is recommended that yogis not practice at the times of peak and valley in energy as it may be more harmful than helpful. More indirect benefits are also logical: preventing attachment to practice, connection with the larger macrocosm through awareness of larger cycles, etc.

It is hard not to be skeptical or, at the very least, curious. Questions arise, both out of the logical arguments made and, for those of us who have observed the Mysore scene in action, in the way that Moon Days are treated by many as holidays - the time to do things to yourself that you otherwise choose not to do, knowing you will be getting up at 5 to practice each day.

How come I've never noticed that I have an internal energy cycle? Why is it that only the day of the Full and New Moons are too great an energy deviance to practice - why not TWO days before and after? Following the Moon Day logic, what about the effects of weather patterns, seasons, and other natural phenomena that seem to have even greater energies and impacts? Should not these be observed somehow as well?

This is the yogic process, inescapable and attendant on making use of the wisdom of millenia: separating the useful information from the meaningless superstition. This is unavoidable and becomes more and more apparent the deeper you go and the more home- and self-practice you do:

The archeological challenge of doing yoga is to sift through thousands of years of practices in order to separate the religion and superstition from the
techniques of lasting value.

Bill Counter

And there's only one way to do it: trial and error.

Mysore mornings

2008-09-12T07:43:00.000-07:00

Morning comes pretty early on the farm...PRE-tty early. Goats and chickens - with no access to late-night television or Internet - are programmed for early rising. And yet, before the chickens' automated coffeemaker has even clicked on and started brewing, E & K are nearly through their standing poses.

The Ashtanga practice routine is very particular and, once you've lived it, very logical. You get up early, you do your yoga, you start your day. Sharath keeps this routine, even though that means he gets up a little after 1 am so that he can practice before he starts his day, teaching yoga.

It is, like many other aspects of yoga, addictive. It just feels good. Though the initial bleary-eyed shuffle from bed to mat is not necessarily joyful, the rust comes off faster and faster each morning. As you might expect, morning is the least flexible time for the body, a fact which, initially, seems to indicate that this would not be the time to practice. However, there is no better way to find challenge, day after day.

Now, it's clear what you, our there in the land of Quad Cities yoga, are thinking. Let me guess...it starts with "But..." Yes, you are right. There are many, many of those, plus ifs and ands.

And yet...

Radish Photo Shoot

2008-09-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

What's that? You're dying to know what's happening in the all-yoga, all-the-time lives of your favorite teachers?

Well, have we got news for you.

Evan and Kelly spent last Friday morning at a photo shoot for Radish magazine.

Can you beat that!?!

As you may or may not know, Evan is a very talented writer. After our India trip he submitted a story to the Radish, something of an uncensored, off-the-cuff reflection of day-to-day living and practicing yoga in Mysore. A week or so later, they called and asked if we would mind coming in for a photo shoot. We thought that alone was pretty cool.

We arrived to find a real live studio, with a real live photographer. Awesome. Then the best news: we're suppose-ab-ly going to be on the cover. We'll believe it when we see it.

In the meantime, here's a taste:

They took tons of photos. We're still sore. You'd be surprised how many breaths it takes to get a good photo - way more than five. We think this photographer may be a natural at teaching power classes - call the pose, get everybody in position ("Uh, 'Pose up'...is that what you say?"), and then...

Some pics of us together and some of us separate, so it's hard to say what exactly to expect. We're pretty sure it's going to look good. I mean...c'mon...QC yoga, REPRESENT!!

Stay tuned and keep your eyes open for the November issue of the Radish!

Cambridge Yoga Updates

2008-09-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

A quick shout out to Cambridge Yogis!

I can guess based on last nights attendance (14!!!) that our regular Cambridge Yoga students have heard that we've relocated. We are now holding class the the Cambridge Lutheran church, right near the center of town. Its a great local, with even better people attending class. This spot will allow for better temperature control, parking space and an all around good vibe. Thanks Jolene, Lora and everyone else who helped make the transition possible. Classes are held on Thursday's beginning at 7:45ish and Saturdays at 8:00am. So far, the evening class seems to be working better for people than Saturday, but I think it wise not to change things up.

I still have not fired things up out in Bishop Hill. Hopfully this weekend I can take care of that and let everyone know soon enough.

More Soon!
Shanti
K

Warning- Ashtangi loose in downtown Moline- BEWARE!!!!

2008-08-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Check this out...

And this..

That's right! It's Evan turned loose on the streets Moline. Ever heard of free running? Folks run, jump, flip and climb walls using an urban landscape as their playgroud. Well, Last weeks "Men of Yoga" photo shoot was a little something like that (BTW, if you've never seen free running-you should really check it out.) Some of the guys from Indigo went around Downtown Moline and took several shots in different locations. This is just a small sample Brian snapped while Evan was showing off. The photos of all the guys will be compiled into a calandar and will be on sale at Indigo in October.

Subtle Bliss

Good Dog

2012 Teacher Training

Tired

Kino

tapas Open House!

Karandavasana

Horizontal and Vertical Progress

Tristana

Just the Three of Us

Maffew

The end is nigh

Hell yeah

And…we're back

Five Weeks In

Ouch

Spiritual Gang-stas

The shala is NOT closing

Not-so-lazy Sunday

Superstars, Pashasana, and modifications

Shala time

One More

Ah, this is the life

...zzzZZZZzzzz...

Student Conference

New Year's Eve Mysore

Congrats to Our Ashtanga Graduates

tapas Teacher Training

Mysore Morning

Kino

Drunkest Guy Ever

Mysore Guest on Tuesday

FRESH the movie

Curry, Pastels, and Other Things from India: Addendum

Curry, Pastels, and Other Things from India

Ashtanga Holiday

Sweating room only

Outtakes

Jump Around

Out-of-Towners

Handstand dropovers

Minneapolis: The Rest of It, Pool Parties and All

Minneapolis Day 3-4

Minneapolis Day 1: I-35 & Chandra Krama

Remember the 90s?

Healthy Living

Who's That Girl?

Yoga Practice or ???

No class at the shala Tuesday June 2nd through Thursday June 4th

Ashtanga Yoga videos: leaked!!

Late Night Yoga

Dharmashakti

Why You Should Come to Mysore Class

Anusara Buzz

Here we go droppin' science...

Vinyasa III: You've been warned

Shala repre-SENT

The Joys of Yoga and the Art of Adjusting

Kino

She's BAAAAaaaack....

Birds and Clouds

Romance Postures Revealed

Ashtanga FAQ

Romance Postures

Yoga Turf War

Kudos!!!

The Shala needs YOU!!

Ashtanga Yogasana

Now that we seem to be able to load pictures...

IAC World Champs

Free Primary Series: C'mon get happy!

Mysore practice? BAM!

Iron Ashtangi Challenge

Quotastic

This Blows

When the Circus Comes to Town/The Madness Continues

FYI

Yes!!!

Shamless Business Promotion- Ignore if Necessary

Further Reading