What's the Point of it All?

I got asked tonight what the goal of a yoga asana (pose) practice is. I'd say the goal is to meet yourself on the mat and get to know yourself well enough to know what you need right now. After that, it's about accepting what you need, what you can give yourself and what your body can do right now. Once you do that, the world seems to fall right into place.

APA Style is Hate -Love!

I've got something in the works, and I'll tell you more about it when things solidify. In the meantime though, know that I am compiling related lit and summarizing the results in a document...wouldn't quite call it a review of related lit, because that would entail a bit more analysis. At the moment it really is more of a compilation. But still, it involves research and smart me decided to follow the American Psychological Association (APA) style or formatting citations.

If you have no idea what in the world that means, you're lucky. It's a way of formatting and citing references in research papers. It's VERY detail-oriented. It's bringing out my legendary OC-ness (Obsessive-Compulsiveness. No, it's not diagnosed.).

Oh well, I figure it'll ease me into all the papers I'll have to do once school starts in June. 2.5 years away from APA. This refresher is, I'm sure, a blessing in disguise. Oh well, hopefully I can use some of this research for my thesis.

A New Realization on the Jump-Through

From down-dog I have always lifted my heels and bent my knees, stretching my bandha in preparation to spring forward and jump my feet through my arms to sitting. This works to get my feet through my arms, but it is a conscious effort once I get there to keep my hips in the air and extend one leg forward at a time.

I keep telling myself that I shouldn't aim to jump forward, I should jump diagonally upwards and forwards. This will keep my hips higher so I have more time to swing my legs through and extend them in one nice smooth motion.

During yesterday's practice, however, I was jumping to standing so I could fold my mat before shoulderstands. As I did so, I noticed that I had succeeded in not just bringing my feet between my hands so I could stand, but that I had actually brought them beyond my hands! I realized that if I actually did this each time, move to jump to standing first then move to sit once my feet and legs had come through my arms, I should be able to come through smoothly. Well, I should, in theory. I'll try it out and let you know what happens.

In case anyone's wondering what in the world I'm talking about, below is a video of well-known Ashtanga teacher, Lino Miele, teaching the jump-through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z5tr5VWVF0

Pitta Type

Your Dosha is Pitta

You have a quick mind, a gift for persuasion, and a sharp sense of humor. You have both the drive and people skills to be a very successful leader. Argumentative and a bit stubborn, you have been known to be a little too set in your ways. But while you may be biased toward your own point of view, you are always honest, fair, and ethical. With friends: You are outgoing and open to anyone who might want to talk to you In love: You are picky but passionate To achieve more balance: Be less judgmental of those around you, and take cool walks in the moonlight.

What's Your Dosha?

Blogthings: Learn Something Surprising About Yourself

Evolution: From Point A to Point B

In the beginning, going to a yoga class was just about being able to practice. Sure, there were teachers I preferred, but at the time, I would have taken a class with almost any teacher just to have the opportunity to practice.

I remember that it was such a struggle to start a home practice. I needed the external structure offered by yoga classes to make sure that I actually got out of bed and practiced. A yoga class starts at a set time and takes place at a set location. That meant that I had to get up off my behind, get dressed and actually get myself over to the shala (yoga school/studio) in time for class. Once I was there, there was no backing out after I had gone all that way. There was also no chance to be lazy and not do a complete practice, as I was under the watchful eye of my teacher and I had the energy of my classmates to keep me going.

Once I was able to get a home practice going, I noticed that I needed classes less and less. I've learned to enjoy the silence of practicing on my own and being alone with myself. I enjoy not having to worry about finishing full primary before the class ends. I enjoy knowing that I've learned enough to be able to rely on myself and to know what to do without a teacher present.

Now I love going to a class to share my energy with others and to feel the energy of the community shared with me. That shared energy changes practice. It is not just my practice anymore, it becomes our practice. I don't need class to force me to practice anymore, I WANT to practice now and I can do that on my own. But sharing of energy and a feeling of community I can't do by myself. I love my community. I like feeling I'm a part of something. I like the feeling of belonging. I like the new friends.

Sangha. Community. Friends. Yoga Manila. Shared energy, shared practice. Yoga.

Next, I'll tell you about point C...

Wednesday and Friday Classes Discontinued

I've got some changes in the works for my teaching schedule. We've decided to discontinue the Wednesday and Friday morning classes at Yoga Manila Ortigas. I'll still be teaching there on Tuesdays at 6:30PM and Thursdays at 6:30AM though. Still trying to work out my new schedule, but it looks like I may start teaching in Alabang and/or Makati. Yay! Let you know as soon as things are finalized. See ya!

Holiday Teaching Schedule

Happy holidays!

The Yoga Manila studios will close for the Christmas break beginning December 13, 2009. The Makati and Ortigas shalas will reopen on January 9, 2010, while Alabang will resume operations on January 11, 2010.

Private classes will continue depending on any agreements between the student and teacher. Let me know if you'd like to book a private session!

Standing Up and Dropping Back

... started working on them again, after not having done so for some time. I love the feeling of floating when I'm about to drop back and the rush as the world rights itself when I stand up. Can't wait to do these on my own, but I know it's going to take some time. Oh well, part of aparigraha (non-grasping or not clinging on to anything) is not grasping the future and being content with where you are now. Part of dharma (duty) is doing your duty because it is your duty and not because of what will come of it. i.e. Practice for the sake of practicing and not for any outcome of standing up.

"As for you, do the work that comes to you - but don't look for the results.

Don't be motivated by the fruits of your actions,

nor become attached to inaction."

- Bhagavad Gita II.47

...so I will enjoy being helped until I can do it on my own.

Speaking of backbends, check out this thing called the Stretch Gym:

Just as an interesting alternative to working the wall, sometimes maybe? The image below looks like it could even help one in Supta Kurmasana.

Maya and Reading To-do

"We bear and are borne by a soul we do not know. When the riddle raises itself on two legs without being solved, it is our turn. When the dream picture pinches it's own arm without waking, it is us. For we are the riddle no one guesses. We are the fairy-tale trapped in its own image. We are what moves on and on without arriving at understanding..."

-Jostein Gaarder, Maya

I would love to spend a day with Jostein Gaarder, picking his mind. What is someone like that like in real life? Can you imagine conversation about life, consciousness and reality that would be?

It started with Sophie's World. An introduction to Philosophy, I heard it was, but taught within the context of a fantastical narrative. I loved it! I was mesmerized by The Solitaire Mystery too. Didn't like The Christmas Mystery too much. I still have to get my hands on Vita Brevis, but I've heard that's a good one.

*sigh* I've missed reading. So glad I'm getting to do it again. :)

To-do:

1. see if Joanne Harris has any new books out
2. get Brida by Paulo Coelho
3. get The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
4. wait for Anne Rice' new novel coming out this month
5. read Sleep, Pale Sister by Joanne Harris
6. find my copy of The Ringmaster's Daughter by Jostein Gaarder, buy a copy of Vita Brevis and see if he has any new books out

Time Out

Sure, I'd gone on vacation for a week or two, but before this year I'd never taken a sabbatical. Never stopped to give me some real time for myself. Now that I've had time to think, to go and do things that I've wanted to do for the longest time, to just have time to find myself again, it makes a world of difference.

Stefan Sagmeister talks about the power of time off and how it refreshes his ability to see new things, come up with new ideas and just resets his mind as a whole. To a certain extent we need to take time for ourselves. We need to heal ourselves of the chronic stress and the focus on materialism and productivity. We need to realize that taking this time to find ourselves and become whole again is being productive, for we are only useful to society as complete and healthy citizens.