In high school I had a mild crush on Gene Wilder. I think it was maybe because it was not what people expected and because I wanted to laugh. Danny Paradise reminds me of Gene. The whole evening I had this thought in the back of my head that maybe he would honor a golden ticket. Maybe not.
I walked in late. Actually, I was right on time, but Danny was so enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge that he got out there in front of the class as soon as he could and started talking. Learning yoga isn't like, "ok, get ready, here we go." Instead, it is a lifestyle, it is spontaneous, and you learn the most when you don't see it coming. I wonder what I missed.
As I sat down, he was answering ashtanga "user" questions about anything and everything. We took a short break and then talked some more, learned nauli kriya, laughed, and then began practice. In addition to the "traditional" ashtanga sequencing, he showed us variations and asanas that used to be taught back in the day. He laughed as he explained how teachers who have been teaching less than ten years will tell you that there is only one way, but let's ask them if they are still practicing like that in thirty years...
Some notes:
*disclaimer: below are my personal notes and are to be read as such. I've done my best, but I apologize if I've misinterpreted anything.
Like David Williams, Danny says that yoga lasts about 24 hours and then you need to do it again. Even if it is just for 15 minutes.
Minimum yoga practice as taught to him way back when:
Nauli, 3 Surya A's, 3 Surya B's, the last 3 finishing postures
However, he really emphasized that one must make the time for yoga because you have to take care of yourself. So, "if your work doesn't allow it, change your job."
Yoga is about awareness. We have to take responsibility for our actions and responsibility for the state of the world. We are the ones who must find solutions.
The first ten years of practice are undoing all the damage you've done up until then. After that, its healing the day before.
3 Common misconceptions about yoga:
1. Guru Worship. It is about the practice! You don't need to go to a teacher all the time. The sequences were made for you to be taught (by a teacher) and then practice on your own, returning to your teacher when you are ready to learn more.
2. Pushing. The best teachers do not push. They understand that the body is transformed slowly and steadily.
3. Vegetarianism. It isn't required, but it will make your practice lighter and just plain better. Plus, meat is icky.
Danny practices on the wood floor, with a cotton rug, or a "travel mat" that looks like a sheet of packing plastic.
The original yogis were anarchists, not fundamentalists. Get off the wheel of life and increase awareness.
Yoga injuries:
1. Often caused by greed and inattention
2. Do what is appropriate on any given day and recognize your limitations as the body is always changing
3. The key is no pain in practice
healing = heat + oxygen
Please see yesterday's post for a clip from Danny's workshop at OM Factory NYC.
Let's finish with some yoga porn, shall we?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7img8taGWY
there is the best comment on youtube for this video. it says, "i would hinder this woman's flexibility in yoga via impregnation". Really, it says that.
Thanks for the workshop notes! I haven't taken a workshop from Danny Paradise before and I've been curious about what he had to say, which sounds complementary to David Williams philosophy.
ReplyDeleteI especially like his "change your job" comment!
me too!
ReplyDeleteThe two of them gave a weeklong workshop a couple of summers ago, in which someone else participated, I think David Swenson, and they all seem to have the same philosophy: do it because it feels good, do it without injuring yourself, but just do it.
ReplyDeleteokay, that was a bit too nike. but you get the point.
ReplyDeleteHi Elise
ReplyDeleteThanks for the notes. I agree with Armani, that Danny's perspective is similar to David William's. They're both from that early era.
About the changing job comment, I think that even with the most demanding of jobs, there is still time for yoga. I was working at my previous company extremely long hours, and still found time to practice daily. It had to be self practice because the shala was too far away to get to with public transportation. So it's a matter of establishing priorities, and letting your employer know that you do yoga for health and will work dedicatedly, but still do yoga. I don't see a conflict between the two, unless Danny is talking about working reduced hours to practice more. That is not practical in the working world, for those of us who are not meant to teach yoga.
hugs
Arturo
you're right. i think he said that to underscore how important taking the time to care of yourself is. after that comment he was half joking about how when you are unemployed you have lots of time for your yoga.
ReplyDeletei think it is possible, even with a demanding job, to make time for your health. even if it is just 15 minutes. you have to really want to and it might mean that you have to sacrifice something else, but i'd rather live longer and healthier...
I love Gene Wilder too... and love that you said Danny Paradise reminded you of him. The notes are interesting, thanks for posting them. I have noticed that the older teachers (especially the "original" ones), are way more easy going than newer teachers. There are exceptions, of course (my wonderful weacher), but
ReplyDeleteDavid Swenson, Tim Miller, etc- the ones who have truly made it a life long practice, seem to understand that it doesn't have to be so rigid and that making it fit to one's lifestyle is okay. It's OKAY to practice in the afternoon. It's okay to go to a vinyasa class every once in awhile. To make ashtanga as strict and dogmatic as religion takes all the fun out of it for some of us! There are ways to stay true to the form and learn from that without being trapped by someone's interpretation of "the right way". Go Danny, go! Sorry for the long comment. I'm catching up on your blog!