Comments on: Allowing things to fall apart http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/allowing-things-to-fall-apart/ Sat, 18 Jul 2009 11:30:03 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Ryan http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/allowing-things-to-fall-apart/#comment-26 Ryan Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:45:47 +0000 http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-26 I agree with you, I am trying to maintain some kind of yoga practice - it's just going to have to not involve asana right now. Because it seems that almost anything I do aggravates it somehow... I can't even do sun salutations right now and need to give it a chance to calm itself down before I consider doing anything more. Well, I'm glad you got something from it - feel free to absorb any lesson you can from this! That's what I'm trying to do anyway. In the meantime, I've got a Bikram yoga teacher trying to convince me to try our her class (the only one of it's kind in Scotland) and while I'd like to try anything to sort my hip out, the idea of doing any asana practice kinda scares me right now. I'm going to wait to see if it calms down at all over the coming weeks and take it from there. I agree with you, I am trying to maintain some kind of yoga practice – it’s just going to have to not involve asana right now. Because it seems that almost anything I do aggravates it somehow… I can’t even do sun salutations right now and need to give it a chance to calm itself down before I consider doing anything more.

Well, I’m glad you got something from it – feel free to absorb any lesson you can from this! That’s what I’m trying to do anyway.

In the meantime, I’ve got a Bikram yoga teacher trying to convince me to try our her class (the only one of it’s kind in Scotland) and while I’d like to try anything to sort my hip out, the idea of doing any asana practice kinda scares me right now. I’m going to wait to see if it calms down at all over the coming weeks and take it from there.

]]> By: Kate http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/allowing-things-to-fall-apart/#comment-25 Kate Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:19:36 +0000 http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-25 It's all a learning curve. I just think the important thing is to not fall into the trap that you can't have a yoga practice because you are restricted in your asana practice. That's just not true. And yes, you make a good point that can't be driven home enough for those of us who chose to teach this thing called yoga. We owe our students a duty to make sure they understand from the very first class how to protect themselves and build on those principles during every class. Not that I'm trying to make light of your situation but it's been very instructive to me on some of the things I need to keep in mind. Thank you It’s all a learning curve. I just think the important thing is to not fall into the trap that you can’t have a yoga practice because you are restricted in your asana practice. That’s just not true.

And yes, you make a good point that can’t be driven home enough for those of us who chose to teach this thing called yoga. We owe our students a duty to make sure they understand from the very first class how to protect themselves and build on those principles during every class.

Not that I’m trying to make light of your situation but it’s been very instructive to me on some of the things I need to keep in mind.

Thank you

]]> By: Ryan http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/allowing-things-to-fall-apart/#comment-24 Ryan Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:17:22 +0000 http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-24 Hi Kate, Obviously I can't argue with that... I have been modifying and modifying my practice for a while in order to find out what's been causing the pain in the first place, taking certain postures out, doing other postures differently, ending up with a much simpler practice, but by that time it seemed to be too late. Right now there isn't much yoga I can do apart from your idea of standing straight and breathing - which I kinda like the sound of. I think my yoga practice from now on is going to be a simple meditation practice. I still think if someone taught me this from the beginning I wouldn't be in this situation I'm in. My first yoga teacher went into no detail whatsoever about how we should actually align ourselves (he was a kundalini yoga teacher if that makes any odds) But I guess that's no excuse for voluntarily damaging myself. Thanks for the comment. Hi Kate,

Obviously I can’t argue with that… I have been modifying and modifying my practice for a while in order to find out what’s been causing the pain in the first place, taking certain postures out, doing other postures differently, ending up with a much simpler practice, but by that time it seemed to be too late. Right now there isn’t much yoga I can do apart from your idea of standing straight and breathing – which I kinda like the sound of. I think my yoga practice from now on is going to be a simple meditation practice.

I still think if someone taught me this from the beginning I wouldn’t be in this situation I’m in. My first yoga teacher went into no detail whatsoever about how we should actually align ourselves (he was a kundalini yoga teacher if that makes any odds) But I guess that’s no excuse for voluntarily damaging myself.

Thanks for the comment.

]]> By: Kate http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/allowing-things-to-fall-apart/#comment-23 Kate Mon, 14 Jul 2008 23:48:11 +0000 http://siriusjournal.wordpress.com/?p=19#comment-23 If I might be so bold, if you are doing yoga, ie) an asana practice, to the point where you have physically injured yourself, you are doing yourself a disservice and it is not yoga. Let's back up a bit. The first of the yamas, the ethical restraints of yoga, the very foundational principle of this thing called yoga, is ahimsa. That's Sanskrit for non-violence and it applies to you as well. First, do no harm. It is contrary to yoga to hurt yourself through asana practice. So yes, deep lessons indeed. Ahmimsa is a very important thing for you to get a handle on. Secondly, there's two concepts that go hand in hand in the practice of yoga. An abiding practice while letting go of the results. Finally, if you're still in the mood for some advice and feel free to disregard as you will, the one size fits all standby never-fails good for all occasions yoga practice is to put your feet on the floor, spine straight, chin slightly tucked in and breathe. Breathe in; breathe out. Repeat for 20 minutes. Seriously. In the words of Desikachar, if it doesn't involve the mind, it's not yoga. So Please, be gentle with yourself and respect the temple of your body. Where else will your spirit live if you trash it? Kate If I might be so bold, if you are doing yoga, ie) an asana practice, to the point where you have physically injured yourself, you are doing yourself a disservice and it is not yoga. Let’s back up a bit. The first of the yamas, the ethical restraints of yoga, the very foundational principle of this thing called yoga, is ahimsa. That’s Sanskrit for non-violence and it applies to you as well. First, do no harm. It is contrary to yoga to hurt yourself through asana practice. So yes, deep lessons indeed. Ahmimsa is a very important thing for you to get a handle on.

Secondly, there’s two concepts that go hand in hand in the practice of yoga. An abiding practice while letting go of the results.

Finally, if you’re still in the mood for some advice and feel free to disregard as you will, the one size fits all standby never-fails good for all occasions yoga practice is to put your feet on the floor, spine straight, chin slightly tucked in and breathe. Breathe in; breathe out. Repeat for 20 minutes. Seriously. In the words of Desikachar, if it doesn’t involve the mind, it’s not yoga.

So Please, be gentle with yourself and respect the temple of your body. Where else will your spirit live if you trash it?

Kate

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