Here goes my attempt to capture (most) of what Sharath said at yesterday’s conference. Again, no dictaphone – I tried, but I mostly picked up my own breathing, occasional coughs and the murmurs of one of the amazingly well-behaved babies in the room, who happened to be behind me. The happy contentment of all thoseContinueContinue reading “Sharath conference notes – 14th March 2015”
Category Archives: Mysore life
Sharath conference notes – March 7th 2015
I’ve noticed on the Ashtanga Community in Mysore facebook page that there are a few requests for write-ups of Sharath’s conference notes. Well, seeing as I simply cannot stop myself from taking copious notes whenever anyone is talking to me (I think it’s how my brain processes information) I thought I should answer the call. However,ContinueContinue reading “Sharath conference notes – March 7th 2015”
The people we meet
I am a great lover of new experiences, and tonight certainly didn’t let me down… This evening I had my seventh rolfing session from Ken the Rolfer (I figured I couldn’t meet someone who goes by this name and not sign up…). For those who don’t know, rolfing is a massage technique that releases deep connective tissue along prescribed energyContinueContinue reading “The people we meet”
Brain freeze with BKS Iyengar
Our new apartment is just round the corner from the famous ‘chocolate man’, a Gokulum institution of legendary proportions who has been meeting the international yoga community’s wild and wonderful dietary needs for years from his tardis-like corner shop. As well as all kinds of trendy health-foods such as almond milk, organic granola, quinoa etc, he also sells aContinueContinue reading “Brain freeze with BKS Iyengar”
Primary learner
So Sharath’s enigmatic comment on Friday was apparently a false alarm – no pasasana today. I tried to remain equanimous, in the spirit of losing attachment, but I confess I lingered after setu bandasana, rearranging my mat a bit, tidying my hair up etc, just to give him more of a chance to get to me andContinueContinue reading “Primary learner”
Goosebumps
Despite being pretty early for class this morning, it seems I’m still not keen enough. I only just managed to squeeze my mat inside the shala, right by the door. All was going fine until I jumped into bujapidasana and whacked my foot on the door in the process. Sharath’s sympathetic response? “Don’t break the door!”ContinueContinue reading “Goosebumps”
A quotable day
Today has been a gloriously lazy day off. We have barely left the flat, except for another circuit of the lake this evening. I’ve spent most of the day moving between the hammock, the sofa and the bed to find the coolest spot to continue reading Light on Life by BKS Iyengar. I’ve been meaning toContinueContinue reading “A quotable day”
India’s daughter
Tonight I feel a whole gamut of emotions. Sadness, edginess, vulnerability, pride at the BBC’s commitment to support fearless journalism and gratitude that I live in a country where men and women are, more or less, treated as equals. Why? Tonight I watched the BBC’s hastily aired documentary, India’s Daughter, about the brutal gang-rape andContinueContinue reading “India’s daughter”
Losing attachment
This morning Sharath adjusted me in dropbacks again, and the tip of one my fingers brushed the back of my heel. Progress. When I came back up, he said to one of the adjusters hovering nearby, ‘She has finished full primary now.’ The adjuster nodded and gave me a small smile. I felt a thrilling tingleContinueContinue reading “Losing attachment”
Moving in, moving on
Today is a moon day, so no practice. I wasn’t quite ready for a day off, after yesterday’s great experience, but I’ll certainly take it – after over four months of intensive yoga practice here, I’ve learnt that any proffered day off should be embraced with open arms! It’s been a funny old day – theContinueContinue reading “Moving in, moving on”
frond yoga with Rebecca May 