The Indian Way

Before I went to India, I was very concerned about the hand policy. Left, right, right, left, how would I remember? I tried to sit on my left hand while I ate, and was shocked when I reached for toilet paper with my right. But once in India, the problem was not a problem at all. In fact, toilet paper available or not, I very easily I appreciated the comfort of having a "clean" and a "dirty" hand.

Back in my apartment post-India, it took me a few days before I realized that in the west, its not that people don't care about being clean or dirty, its that this is a righty's world. I've been making mental note of this. Almost every WC I encounter had the toilet paper roll to the right of the toilet, whereas in India, it was mostly on the left. This must be particularly traumatizing to those who grew up with a dirty/clean hand policy. So do lefty's wipe left? That's quite a reach around. Do you just use the hand closest to the paper?

On the Tyra Show (I know, I know), Tyra gave western toilet squatting lessons to a post surgical woman. (Man who is now woman.) She definitely told her to wipe right.

I digress.

After some initial turbulence, practice today was smooth sailing. I seemed to have "proved" my second series worthiness, whatever that means. Had some hinting towards the next pose coming tomorrow. I'm a bit scared. This is uncharted territory I have a hard time believing that that stuff is possible for my body. Swaha.

Good housekeeping

Doing some early spring cleaning on the site so I can start writing again....

Mysore tips from my first trip 2007

Mysore Travel Tips

This is by no means a definitive list, but it does include all those little things which I had no way of knowing before actually being in India.

1. Floss. I haven't gone looking for it, so I can't say for sure if it is always in stock, but who wants to go out and buy floss? Just bring some with you!

2. Ladies, don't expect to find undergarments to your liking in the shops here. Bring bras that you like with you and if you aren't a fan of the granny panty, you ought to bring your own undies as well. That said, there is a jockey store on Devarajurs Road...

3. Did I mention grapefruit seed extract? Yes? Well go buy some right now!

4. you might miss magazines. there are local india mags, but I know I'd like to get my hands on a NY Times or Discover Mag, or Rolling Stone. Anything! Even if it was three months old. My recommendation? Bring em with you!

5. you can find tampons here at the local grocery store called Nilgiris, but they aren't organic (if you're into that sort of thing).

6. vegans: you need healthy bacteria in your belly. plan on either eating curd or taking supplements (but you'll need to bring them from home).

7. You'll be really happy if you bring veggie bars like the ones by odwalla or the green veggie powder you add to water. Yes, there are veggies here, but I know a lot of us are craving more!

8. join facebook. just do it. I didn't want to either, but it is a great way to keep up with people around here. emailing can be so tedious!

9. I can almost guarantee that at some point, you will have diarrhea. better not to think about it too much.

10. You'll start to miss variety if you don't bring plenty of clothes. The paper bag look doesn't work for everyone.

11. Mysore is a lot like life. It is part what you make of it and part what it wants to give you.

12. Try to bring clothing that has lycra or something like it. From hand washing and no dryers, you'll find most of your clothes will grow, grow, and grow.

13. Avoid talking politics. Yoga, that is. Some people are open about different views and opinions, but you might catch yourself with your foot in your mouth.

14. Almost everyone gets sick within the first 2 weeks. See Anu and Ganesh. They'll make you food that will help you feel better.

15. Bring or buy mosquito repellent. why suffer?

16. Lots of people have wifi at their houses and in local restaurants. You might want to bring your laptop. Plus you can use it to watch movies! Its like college all over again!

17. Bring loads of yoga clothes.

18. Bring lots of things to make yourself feel fresh. I didn't really bring anything. You can buy a lot of stuff here, but not necessarily things that you like and you don't want to spend your trip here feeling like you are camping!

19. Buy electrical adapters when you get here. A simple one costs 12 rupees at Loyal World.

20. Seriously consider how much you need your jeans. You'll be hand washing them.

21. If you are picky about toiletries, you should bring your own.

22. Pack grapefruit seed extract

23. Don't under any circumstances hand over money for a room until the said space is EXACTLY how you would like to live in it!

24. Only pack shoes that slip on and off. It is better if they don't have backs because you will be constantly taking them on and off everywhere you go.

25. Savor your last shower before heading for the airport. It might be some time before you have a shower like that.

26. Bring toilet paper, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer. Toilet paper is available in mysore, but you might want to have an emergency roll on you, just in case.

27. Nobody gets shots. Really.

28. It is really easy to get a car to pick you up from the Bangalore airport. The guy Krishna that they list on the ayri website really will arrange this for you.

29. Take the flight with the shortest layover possible. It is ok if you arrive in Bangalore at a weird time like 3am.

Transfer student

Ever change schools as a kid? I went through it a number of heart wrenching and painful times. Just when you start to get some momentum going, you've got to pick up and start something new.

Well, now I am the "parent" and I'm going to go back to posting on:

www.mysoremusings.blogspot.com. Why? It just makes sense to me I suppose. Please continue reading there and I promise to dive back into writing!

My heart is in mysore

I just picked up this book on successful blogging at the local library (my favorite haunt). Happily flipping through the pages as I chomped down a particularly delicious (although inappropriate ayurvedically [is that even a word?] for winter and my dosha) salad with homemade ginger carrot dressing (yum), my eyes landed on the "top 10 dont's of successful blogging". Number 2, "don't let more than 3 days pass between blogs". Oops.

Well, the truth is, I didn't know if it was right to continue writing in this blog, since I was between mysore engagements and all. But I figure now, what the hey? I'll be there again soon enough and perhaps "living mysore" is all in the mind.

What's new? Russell and Sally left New York, and Guy is back at the shala. I'm curious to find out what he's going to say about my practice. You see, Russell has had me working up to yoga nidrasana and doing the "split" (which means practicing second series only). For some reason, it feels like I'm cheating or something because Guy didn't give it to me. He's going to come back and be like, "Really? Is this what you've been up to?" Its just poses, I know. But who is the one that has to let go? Is it me? Should I be like, "Okay, whatever. I'll go back to whatever I was doing before." Or is it my teacher's turn to let go? Or, does it really even matter? Maybe because I feel like I'm having fun (loads of back bending will do that for you), I feel naughty.

Anyway, I'll be in to practice tomorrow, so we'll see!

Since I've been away, I've been keeping up another blog:
www.ashtangainspired.blogspot.com. But, I think I'm going to post here mostly from now on.

A Look at Yoga Teacher Trainings and Immersions

You saw the flier on the front desk, you saw the ad in Yoga Journal, you heard your yoga buddy talking it up and now you're asking yourself whether or not it's time for that teacher training. Whether you want to teach or simply want to deepen your practice, teacher trainings can be an excelent opportunity to take your understanding of yoga to the next level. But how do you choose the right program for you? How do you know when you're ready? Read below to find out!

Why do you want to take a teacher training?

Ask yourself why you want to take a training. It is important to consider your motivations before you make the leap. I mean, it's a nice fantasy--waking up to meditate on your little pillow, walking to your first class of the day still smelling of incesnse, teaching a class full of happy faces, hearing and seeing how much you're helping to better people's lives, etc. But do you actually want to teach? Teaching is hard. It takes a lot of energy and patience. You have to touch people and some people smell and have skin problems and boogers and swet. You have to speak in front of groups of people which is one of the number one fears. You have to maintain your own practice and continue learning to become a better teacher (it's not just take a teacher training and you're set).

Do you expect to teach full or part time? Will you be able to find work? Based on a number of interviews and personal experience, yoga teachers start off at a much lower rate than they anticipated. When you're just starting, you might not be able to find any work at all or only volunteer jobs. It sucks but that could be your reality. Plus, it's performance-based. If your classes aren't making money, you won't be either. Yoga studios are businesses. Some new graduates get jobs and well paying jobs right off the bat, but that may not be you. Studios usually look for expereince and possibily someone who has completed a 500 hour teacher training. They may be looking for people who have een to INdia once or even a number of times. So, unless the style t=you are interested in is a niche market where you'll be the only teacher and no competition and in high demand, don;t quit your day job just yet.

Perhaps you'd just like to deepen your practice and understanding of yoga? Most 200 hour teacher trainings serve to get the students to the practice level of a teacher. If you really want to work on actually teaching, you'll have to continue your education after the 200 hours.

Are you ready to take a teacher training?

Some progrmas require participants to have a daily practice, or even a practice history of a certain minimum number fo years. SOme trainings require you to be a student of their school for a certain amount of time. Other trainings have physical requirements such as the ability to perfrom a handstand in the middle of the room. Still others have reading requirements. It's a good idea to inquire as to what the program you are interested in requires and get on it right of way. All that said, what is most important is a strong commitment to your own practice. You should be practicing (asana or other physical exercies) at least 4 times per week. You should me working on practicing the other limbs all the time. Don't know what the eight limbs are? Go get a copy of the Yoga Sutras, every teacher training requires you to read them anyway.

What style should you do your teacher training in?

This is a very important consideration. If you aren't already rooted in a particular tradition, start dropping into as many classes as you have time for, expecially those offered at the schools offerring trainings that you are interested in.

Some styles to check out:
(This is just a sampling of the many types if yoga out there)

In the tradition of Krishnamacharya
Ashtanga--Try both a led and a mysore class. Watch Ashtanga, NY. Visit ashtanga.com. Read Yoga Mala.
Vini--as taught by Desikachar. This is not the same as vinyasa yoga. Get the Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar.
Iyengar--Watch the Estes Park Iyengar Workshop DVDs. Pick up a copy of Light on Yoga.

Other traditions
Kundalini
Sivananda
Integral

"Second generation" styles
Vinyasa-Could be a mix of any of the above styles.
Includes Forrest, Power, Jivamukti, Laughing Lotus, Om, Siva Rea, Sean Corne, Yoga Works, Anusara, hatha.

My opinion? Either go with a teacher you love, a style you love, or go straight to the primary sources.


What should you look for in a training?
Length
Adjustments
Anatomy
Personal Practice
Practice Classes
Observed Teaching
Assisting

recommendations
Yoga Union-A lot of information. Vinyasa with a heavy emphasis on alignemnt
Ashtanga Yoga Shala-well rounded program. However, to be authorized you have to go to India.
Anusara Immersion-great way to dive in without commiting to a full program
Centered Yoga-go to thailand, immerse yourself for a month.
Laughing Lotus-have fun.
Jivamukti-be a crazy hippy eccentric.

Remember that 200 hour isnt the end all. You'll finish your program either over confident or completely lost. Just remember that you teach what you know, focus on your own practice, and keep learning!

Did I miss anything? Do you have any other advice or feedback? Let me know!

Gasping and Grasping Poses, Air, and Ankles

The other day after practice, I was walking and talking with a fellow student at the shala. At one point she mentioned how that in ashtanga, there is no room for grasping because there will always be something to attain. This made me think for a moment of my own practice and experience with yoga. In terms of asana, I am about half content to practice whatever my teacher tells me without thinking of what's up next and half can't wait for the next thing. I saw someone doing a pose from fourth series and thought to myself, "do i really need to do that to be fulfilled?" Anyway, she's right. There is always something. There is no room for grasping with ashtanga.

As a teacher, it is very difficult to explain this to a student. Especially a New Yorker. The worst is when a brand new mysore student is given a "cheat sheet" of the series. This only implies to the student that they must learn this entire sequence, and instead of feeling that they are right where they need to be, they feel like everyone knows the entire sequence besides them. Additionally, it takes away from the student teacher dialogue. The student looks to the sheet constantly instead of looking to the teacher for help. At this point I wonder why someone is in class at all and what exactly they expect the role of the teacher to be. I think that cheat sheets can be helpful in some situations, but they aren't necessary. And anyway, these sheets don't teach you alignment, or other subtle aspects of the practice.

It is almost impossible for most beginners to be completely objective about their practice and where they should be in primary series. I mean, they are beginners! Mysore is taught the way it is taught for a reason. each pose leads to the next. You master one before another to avoid injury and to practice what is appropriate for your body, not your ego.

Let's say fine, a person has this sheet and decides they have "completed" first series. Do they then demand a second series sheet by which they haphazardly attempt all poses at will? Yikes! Obviously this is not impossible. There are plenty of videos and books out there. But I think most people would agree that it is better to practice under the guidance of a teacher to avoid injury.

So there is this particular student of mine who is actually probably my best student. He comes in every day with one of these cheat sheets and throws himself around doing whatever poses he feels like, in no particular order, of course. I've finally convinced him to slow down and work on standing postures, but even then, he focuses on "mastering"each posture. For example, in utthita hasta, the man can barely balance, breathe, and hold a drishti, and yet insists on attempting to fold. In one recent instance, I decided he was probably stable enough to give a little bit of assist here. Wrong. This gave him enough confidence to again try to fold, swing his leg about, forget drishti, grasp the air with flailing limbs, and punch me in the face before hitting the ground himself, pretty hard. Hmmm.

But, sometimes punching the teacher in the face and hitting the floor hard is what it takes to give in. Swaha. He came in the next day, without a cheat sheet, ready to listen and actually, he turned out to have a very mindful practice.

And then there are the ankles. I think I finally found out what that body block was that I was trying to exorcise in mysore (check my blog http://www.mysoremusings.blogspot.com/) -- it was an aching heart. This realization came to me on Monday. I don't usually talk relationships... My significant other and I had a big fight Sunday night. A big one. The kind that sends someone to another room to sleep. My practice on Monday was heavy, achy, tight, and the left side of my chest was incredibly tight and sore. When I went for ankle grabbing, never have I felt such a sensation. It was as if a squirrel had built a nest and was hibernating in my chest.

The rest of the week was not so bad as Monday, but now that I notice it, it is hard to ignore. Does love live there? Or does heart ache live there? And when you are in love, doesn't that ache, even when it is good?

So Sore (the 5:30am pre-teaching and practicing post)

This week I got yoga nidrasana from Russell. I was a bit surprised, actually. I suppose I'm always surprised when I get a new pose.

The other night, I had browsed through my copy of Iyengar's Light on Yoga, and under eka pada sirsasana, the thing that really stands out is his comment on how in this pose you really realize how hard it is to get a leg back behind your head and keep it there. When I saw people doing the pose in the past, they always looked so serene, now I understand that they were concentrating on a lot of different things at once. For instance, you have to get the leg back there, plus you have to find a sweet spot where the leg can rest and not fly off your back. But, you also have to be able to fold and to do any of this, you have to be able to hold your head up.

For someone that reads constantly, I am discovering all the underdeveloped muscles in the back of my neck. It doesn't make sleeping particularly pleasant, but I'm hoping that its going to do wonders for my posture.

Next comes dwi pada sirsasana. Its not the legs behind the head part that is hard, its the lack of strength in my neck. After all the work in eka pada, I've got very little left to give dwi pada. I wonder how long it will take to get stronger? I think the first week the body is like "cool, I can handle this." The second week, it has used all its energy and that is when the real body changes begin.

Yoga nidrasana is great because gravity helps your head to weigh down your legs.

In a rush, off to teach...

2 Kinds of Savasana

I should probably look this up, but I remember learning that in ashtanga that bit on your back at the end is "resting", not "savasana".

So I was "resting" last week at the Shala when I realized the difference in my practice. Last week I got eka pada sirsasana and dwi pada sirsasana and my first taste of practicing second series only: the split. But it was on Friday that I noticed the real difference in how I felt.

I had practiced primary feeling at once relieved and comforted as well as completely exhasuted and sore. Once I reclined for resting I was amazed at how unbelieveably soothing it was. The whole week I had to practically force myself to relax, despite how much I ached to just lie down. The difference is in the savasana.

My worried shoes

"One day I looked around and found the sun shining down and I took off my worried shoes"
-Daniel Johnston

I think that I can finally say that I have gotten used to waking up before 5am to teach and practice. It is painful and hard to believe when it is happening, but I came to the conclusion that even when I sleep in, I don't hear birds singing and squirrels aren't trying my hair in bows, while bunnies bring me tea.

I walked in to teach this morning and paused, looked around, and realized that what was completely throwing me off was that there were only men in my class. About a minute later, a female student walked in, did the same double take and was not at all sure as to where to put her mat. In Mysore, I really feel that most of the time, the male to female student ratio was usually equal. Sometimes the numbers swung one way or another, but in New York, it is almost guaranteed that there will be mostly ladies in class. Just thought that was interesting.

After I taught, I headed downtown to the Ashtanga Yoga Shala to practice. Russell was teaching (I'd really like to practice with Sally but don't know when she's teaching). Practice was going on and on and I noticed other people stopping early in primary to start second and faught back pangs of jealousy. Its not the poses that make me ache, so much as the time. After class, Russell mentioned that in the past, people got split at Karandavasana, which means that up until they "get" that pose, they would practice full primary AND second series up until that point. This would mean a two and a half hour practice! Getting split means that once you get karandavasana, you could save primary for fridays and just work on second series the rest of the week. Now in Mysore, I noticed that they are usually splitting people at Eka Pada Sirsasana. I wonder if it has to do with time and the number of students that are going.

When I got to Bakasana B, I gave it 2 strong tries but slid down, and on the third, I stuck it. Feeling satisfied, I jumped through for backbends and Russell walked over to give me bharadvajrasana and ardha matsyendrasana. Unique to ashtanga is that feeling you get of a new pose. It is like Christmas. Physically, your body is so used to the patterns you usually make, that the new movements are like crack. Mentally, you feel so giddy you want to drunk call all your friends, family, ex-bosses, 411, etc.


http://thumb6.webshots.net/s/thumb2/7/52/80/144775280PzGeDf_th.jpg

The picture above is from a really great set of photos of people practicing led second series at AYRI Mysore. Here is bharadvajrasana.

This picture of ardha matsyendrasana is of Bill of
absolutelyashtanga.com.

I give in: on practice

You might say that recently I've been a bit of an ashtanga tourist in New York. Guy is in Mysore and I'm short on cash, which leaves me either practicing at home, on good days with friends, and making the occasional drop in. In the last three weeks, I practiced with Greg, Amy, and Christopher at Yoga Sutra, and then with Russel at Ashtanga Yoga Shala.

Practice is never the same. Each teacher fills the room with a totally different feeling. Or is it the students who gravitate toward a teacher's particular teaching style? Or is it the students who are able to make that particular time slot? Or perhaps the fact that I was in one class in the afternoon (practically barfing up my lunch), the other in the early morning, the next after already teaching, etc.?

With Greg:

Students have always told me about Greg and how they love that he'll be adjusting you while he chants in your ear. As such, I feel like I missed out on the "Greg experience". Perhaps he already finished, but by the time I showed up, there was no chanting. There was a packed, sweaty room, however, where I spied a few people I knew from way back at Guy's and some people working on third series. It seems that people who practice with Greg take their practice very seriously, and many were willing to follow him when he moved from teaching all the way on the Lower East Side at Shiva Shala to Bryant Park's Yoga Sutra. He was nice, friendly, but I didn't get any adjustments. So, I guess you could say it was just like being in Mysore, and for that, I give it a thumbs up :)

With Amy:

Amy teaches mysore at Yoga Sutra in the afternoons. Although it is hard for me to motivate to practice in the afternoon, I often find that when I am able to focus and set down my mat, I am very open and playful. Which is why I wasn so very disapointed to almost be barfing the whole time. I didn't start practice until 5pm, having eaten at noon. I guess I am just so in the habit of morning practice at this point. Amy was really working the room, giving people tips, adjustments, and pep talks. I was impressed! And for such a small build, she coudl handle her own with really big people.

Christopher:
I have taken his classes in the past and have found them to be a bit "academic", but this time I really felt a lot of humor, which was very surprising. The best was when I was in kapotsasna and through my peripherals I could see a shadow looming. I think it was him checking my drishti. It was just so sweet!

Russell:

Russell is teaching at AYS while Guy is away. I found practice with Russell to be so completely relaxing. For instance, in Kapotasana, I was at my MAXIMUM, desperately trying to find space where there was none, then up walks Russell. He grabs one wrist and then the other and after some nervous laughter from me and some fancy "footwork", I am deeper than I have ever been and feeling so spacious I never wanted to leave. Amazing.

I've done ankle grabbing with all of them, as well as some friends, and no one gets me like Guy.

I've realized that I've been at about the same spot for a year. Bakasana B. Well, kind of. Pasasana since last January, so that has been a full year. Bakasana B since May or June. Probably June. Then I went back to primary in Mysore and have since been building back up slowly. But I think it is good. All the back bending needs some time to soak in after years of primary. So, last week I realized that I've been at this same spot for about a year and started to think about what has changed, what was the same, what was different. Honestly, I can't tell you. I think that my pasasana is much more stable, but heels are still up. I had a breakthrough with this on Wednesday. I can now bind with heels lifted, then lift my seat to get my heels down, but am still working on lowering my seat without falling over. Actraully, this is huge! I remember in Mysore, a friend was trying to show me how to do this and it was literally impossible. Now I can!

What esle has changed? Kapotasana is probably deeper and bhekasana as well. Still don't have Bakasana B though. I feel like I haven't developed the muscle memory of success yet. But last week I stopped after my 5th try and thought, "Okay, this is ridiculous. I've been doing this for a long time, I'm strong, I'm tired, and I don't want to be doing this all morning," and then I got it! So now, I'm trying to give my self a little talk before I try, which is helping. The next step is to remove the pep talk and just let it flow naturally. We'll see how that goes on Sunday...

Still in this constant debate over Mysore and travel plans. Its exhausting and takes up a good portion of my day. Won't go into details though. Its too boring.

Recently Read:
Holy Cow. One person told me this was great, a few that it was funny, but mostly that it sucked. I don't think it was any of these things. I liked the cover, but it did not go well with the content at all. Looking at the cover, it looks like this exciting backpackers tale. I found it to be more like a collection of journalistic essays. They were interesting. I didn't really get what people found to be funny. *Shrug* But I do think that she does explore a variety of themes that one experiences in India, and for that I think it is a good read. I just ask that they please change the cover!

Recently Viewed:
La Vie En Rose. I thought it was great!
This is England. Again, thumbs up!

The Lookout. Not so much.

Other updates:

I figured out some basic html stuff which made me almost pee my pants with excitement.
I've published the 2nd Livingmysore magazine. Please check it out!
http://www.livingmysore.com/.

The day to day stuff

It happened just like I knew it would, but being the eternal optimist and with the encouragement of others, I pressed on. In the last days of "Mysore Musings", I pictured myself months later as a bad spin-off of a popular prime time sitcom.

Here it is.

I've found blogging to be so difficult now. I think that part of it is not knowing exactly what to write. I mean, in Mysore, I knew that I was writing about the "Mysore experience", where really, it was all very innocent I could write honestly on my days. But now its the "New York experience", or perhaps the "post-graduate-idealist -hits-'real world' experience". Not sure. In either case, as an artist or whatever, it seems as mundane and dry as reporting on my daily lunch.

It is also challenging learning how to navigate what to share and what not to share. In my last blog, I didn't really think anyone was reading and so, was not very self conscience about what I put out there. Now, I can't really write about teaching as I want to be sensitive to my students' privacy. I don't want to write on my personal relationships for the same reason. So then what? My asana practice? Watching a construction worker do one handed push-ups on the sidewalk while I was boarding the bus to go teach at 9:30 this morning in 28 degree weather?

Maybe it is time, or the seemingly lack thereof. I'd really prefer to sit and think about what I'd like to write and have the time to go over it before I publish it. I want to feel like it makes sense and that it was worth putting out there.

But maybe not trying and just showing up is interesting. Maybe watching someone try to work it all out is enough.

Recently viewed: "Juno". I preferred "Knocked Up". I laughed more. Maybe it was less intellectual, but whatever.

"Fire". "Water" was my favorite of the three Metas.

Recently Read: The God of Small Things. Loved how the author captures the fear, horror, and confusion of childhood. Found it similar to 100 Years of Solitude, which is fabulous and just plain amazing.


Currently Reading: The Trap: Selling out to stay afloat in winner-take-all America.

The dawn of a new era

My SO and I have decided that some real changes need to happen around our little universe. Today marks the beginning of the second day of "No TV week" at our apartment. This is no small feat. We enjoy netflix, our local "Film Noir" video store, HBO series dvds, and recently, the first season of 24. I sneak some Oprah in there too. I've heard that the average American consumes 4 hours of TV a day. We've decided, in our little way, to wake up!

You can't go home again

There is something to the teacher/student relationship.

Yesterday, I went back to my teacher at the Shala. What is it about practicing with you teacher that gives your practice that certain something? Since Mysore, I have been maintaining my practice, but it was nothing like yesterday. How did I know it was different? We can look at the physical evidence: my clothes were drenched. My sweat. The room's sweat. Whatever. Then there is the social evidence: I just felt like giving up my seat on the subway. Last, there is the psychological evidence: I was just plain happy...the entire day. Happy like I'm on the way to the beach on a summer day.

I think it was very hard and very strange coming back to New York and feeling so differently. Before I left for Mysore, I can remember that everyday after practice I felt like emptying my wallet out in a homeless man's cup on the L Train. I just felt so joyous and giving and just plain optimistic and happy. Post-Mysore New York has, as evidenced in my blog, been dreary, boring, and glum. Is it New York, or was it me? A bit of both I think. But I won't deny that my own tendency toward depression hasn't been a contributing factor. But that is why yoga is so important. If depression manifests itself in the body, then yoga is a surefire way to work it out and help turn it around. And I thought I was doing that, hence my confusion with my feelings of blah.

After yesterday, it has been proven to me (again) how important practice is, and how much a difference it makes to practice with a teacher. And maybe what I brought to the table yesterday wasn't different. But there is something special about knowing that your teacher is watching you, is helping you...It is being in the transfer of knowledge and of tradition. It is being nurtured and cared for. It is being believed in and pushed to your limits. It is facing your fears. It is committing to shoot for the stars.

RECENTLY VIEWED: Earth

This is the second film in Deepa Meta's series, Fire, Earth, Water. I saw the last film a short time ago and was absolutely blown away. The plot of this film didn't intrigue me, but I decided to give it a chance and it was really quite good!

RECENTLY READ: Light on Life I am always a little hesitant to read titles by Iyengar, especially after his comments on ashtanga practice on the Estes Park DVD series. That said, I read the first half of this book, and was surprised that A) it was readable, unlike Light on Yoga and B) it was somewhat objective about the experience of yoga practice. I didn't feel like there was anything new here, but if you don't feel like reading the sutras or other texts, you could just read this as it summarizes a lot of different materials and concepts in yoga practice.

REMINDER: Check out www.livingmysore.com , as we have published our first ashtanga-inspired online zine!

2008 Ashtanga Calendars: The hunt

Do you really want another Yoga Journal calendar this year?

The goal: find a yoga calendar that speaks to ashtanga people.

Here is what I have found:

1. Caroline Klebl 2008 Ashtanga Yoga Calendar :

This is a black and white ashtanga-specific calendar. I like that it is polished and well-designed, but I wish it were of more than just one person. I think it can be a bit austere. (Picture on the right of Caroline in Karandavansana.)

2. If you must, here is Yoga Journal's calendar:

I love the bright colors of this calendar, but if you feel like you've seen these images before, it is because you have...This photo on the left of Kino MacGregor, for instance, was used for a cover, and to promote their conferences, and now this. There is only one ashtangi (I think) in this calendar, the rest are super-star yoga journal types, which is great (if you're into that sort of thing). Still, Kino's back bends are intoxicating. Can we have a posted of just Kino...backbending...all the time?

3. 2008 Shakti Calendar:

So, I was looking around this yoga boutique one day, when I came across this book called, Yoga Shakti, or was it just, Shakti? Anyway, it is a book of nudie ladies doing nudie yoga. Yep, that's it. I am under the impression that it was one of Shiva Rea's doings. And, here we have the calendar version. Will you like it? Well, it is in black and white, and therefore, tasteful, right? Do you like Anne Geddes calendars? You know the naked babies dressed as flowers or pumpkins? Well if you don't like those, you probably won't like this, unless of course, you really like boobs.

4. 2008 Acro Yoga Calendar:

Say what you will about the Acro Yoga vibe that is sweeping the world, but well, they are taking the world by storm. It has got to be something about the smiling and all the fun they seem to be having doing none other than yoga. This is a vibrant calendar printed in color with images of balancing, twirling, etc., all with partners in interesting locations. It is fun, it is inspiring, it is co-ed. If you're not down with the Acro Yogis, you won't be down with this. But it is nice that these are images of "real people". The picture on the left is of "March".

5. 2008 The Yoga Calendar:

This is what you would expect from the typical run-of-the-mill, cheesy, hobby-related, calendar. It incorporates all things old-school-back-of-yoga-journal-spiritual-advertisements: Extreme asanas, of no particular theme or style (except aaah factor), extreme locals* (think David Swenson across to boulders), and bike shorts. It does get points for being color, outdoors, and non-yoga journal.

*Sometimes pics of people doing yoga outdoors is annoying to me. They weren't doing their whole practice, they were just like BAM! here's a move that's cool, right? Take a picture! It just isn't very authentic and hard for me to look at for a whole month.

6. 2008 Yoga Wall Calendar (Balance of Body and Soul):

This calendar looks like an Omega add campaign set in Greece. That's all I have to say. See cover image on left.

7. Calendar I wish they were making in 2008*:

I first saw this calendar (image on right) in February on a visit to Ashtanga Yoga of Albuquerque. As far as I know, they are not available this year, which is a shame, as they truly capture the feeling of practice. Perhaps this feeling of authenticity comes from the fact that these people in California are actually practicing. It is full-color, full-on ashtanga mysore every month of the year. Well, at least for the lucky few that had one in 2007.

*Thanks to Yogibare for informing me that there are calendars available in 2008. I don't know if there are any left, as you have to pre-order, but it is worth a try! Try this link http://www.morningmysore.com/ or http://www.divine-eye.com/calendar.html.

8. Guru 2008 Calendar

I suppose yoga does have the reputation for being a "girlie-thing". It is in this spirit that this calendar was put together.

Blah blah blah

I included this all-man, "manly" calendar because watching them try is just so darn cute!

9. Wake up yoga 2008 Calendar:

This sweet little calendar is of local teachers at the studio, "Wake Up Yoga", located in in Philadelphia. Perhaps I shouldn't have included this calendar, as it is not ashtanga-specific. But let's face it, there just really isn't that much to offer at the moment. If it is any consolation, they have an ashtanga led primary on their schedule...Anyway, I like cheering for the underdogs, and here we have some local peeps, doing their thing. I am SO into that!

10. The only calendar I live by:

"Shala time". Period.

HAPPY 2008 EVERYONE!

Be sure to check out http://www.livingmysore.com/ in January as we are launching our first magazine issue very soon!

A first-timer's meditations on mysore, practice, and all things India

The great thing about reading blogs is that it is like reading a story that is taking place in "real time". Well, probably because it is. I wonder if anyone out there is writing completely fictional blogs. I find this fascinating. So did I, or did I not study for three months in Mysore? You'll have to decide for yourself.

This blog chronicles my trip to Mysore, India from July-October 2007.

Unfortunately, the blog format is not very user-friendly for those wishing to start from the beginning. To read the blog from the beginning, scroll down this page and look for the "archive" located on the right. Click on "July". You'll have to read the entries from the bottom up. Does anyone know how to reverse this?

Thanks for reading my blog. If you have any questions or feedback, please email me at livingmysore@gmail.com, or leave a comment on my current project, http://www.ashtangainspired.blogspot.com/.

The Yoga Passbook and Shopping for the Yogi in Your Life

Okay, so I just read this blog entry:

http://blogs.yogajournal.com/cityblog/new_york/

December 04, 2007 New York: The Yoga PassBook

In case you were wondering, I'm here to break it down for you. I've been a yoga skeptic, a yoga student, a yoga teacher, a yoga studio administrator, even a yoga tourist. So based on my experience, here is my take on what said blog dubs the "perfect gift"...The New York Yoga PassBook.

Pros

1. It is very inexpensive and a great deal. For only $75 you get a whole year's worth of yoga. Really, there are way more passes than a person can use in one year.

2. You get to try a variety of different classes and styles.

Cons

1. You'll always be going to a different studio. This could be a good thing, but you miss out on the whole student/teacher relationship.

2. Even though it is not always enforced, on the back of each pass, it says that the classes are for new students only. So you might be turned away if you try to use it at a studio you've already been to, or you might not.

3. Call ahead, sometimes the pass will only apply to certain classes on the schedule.

4. The studios DO NOT get reimbursed in any way in the sales of these books. What this means is that a studio agrees to be in the book and that they will give away an unlimited number of free/discounted classes. The idea is that students are buying these passes to try out classes and then to pick the studio they like best. Studios hope that students will pick them. Unfortunately, many people abuse the passbook and buy one year after year, returning to studios year after year, expecting free classes. Although the passbook itself says that passes are for "new students" only, they still sent me a notice reminding me to buy another passbook this year, perpetuating the cycle.

5. Sometimes, teachers are paid "per head" and "comp" students don't count.

6. My passbook arrived ONE MONTH LATE. This was after a number of phone calls to the "company" (a guy sitting in his pricey NY apartment, he didn't even answer the phone with a company name and seemed confused when I asked if I had reached the right number), asking for a new passbook to be shipped. There is a shipping fee and the guy would not even wave the fee, even after a month of waiting. He did, however, encourage me to meet him at his apartment to pick up a copy if I'd like. Weird.

Conclusions:

If you have a lot of time, buy the passbook, try out some classes. You only need to take about 4 classes to make it worth the purchase. Please keep in mind that the studios and teachers are providing you a free service, and be sure to thank them PROFUSELY!

Holidays got you stumped? What do you get the person who wants nothing but inner peace?

My holiday shopping recommendations for the yoga-enthusiast in your life:

1. Yoga mat bag. Its classic. But make sure they don't already own, like 10. Try to make it eco-friendly, or handmade, organic, etc. You'll get extra points if it has pockets for their stuff. Saka bags are really fab, but they are made in China:(.

2. An eco-friendly yoga mat. Try harmony, gaiam, or manduka. You'll get extra points if you offer to donate their old mat to charity for them. Contact organizations like bent on learning, homeless shelters, or your local animal shelter.

3. A gift certificate to lululemon, prana, gaiam, hyde, hard tail, or be present. You might think your taste is fab, but your gift recipient is practicing yoga. Although honesty is encouraged, they are likely to tell you that they love whatever you got them. Do them the favor and let them pick something they really like.

4. A private lesson with their favorite instructor. Do the research!

5. A class pack at their favorite yoga studio or a workshop. You get points if you are going to attend the class/es/workshop with them.

6. A mat cover. Either a "mysore rug" or Yogitoes. If they live in the city and don't want to haul their mat, they might be using studio rentals. I don't want to begin about that...Just believe me when I say that you really want them to cover that mat! The rug/yogitoes are light and convenient to use. If you know they aren't into that, maybe get them some mat wipes...

7. An eco-friendly water bottle. I saw these great metal bottles at wholefoods yesterday... While you are at whole foods, you could also get a gift set of all organic, paraben free products from companies like Pangaea organics....

8. A subscription to a yoga magazine. There is yoga journal, namarupa, joy and living, fit yoga, vegetarian times, etc...I know, its not very eco-friendly, but its better than buying off the newsstand!

9. Yoga/India movie. Check yoga journal's website for ideas. Try Iyengar's Estes Park Video if your person is into Iyengar and they already have a subscription to yoga journal. If they practice ashtanga, go to ashtanga.com and get them maybe "ashtanga, ny", "guru", or "sharath's primary series" video. You could also get them something that is all about India. There's that movie, "Water". OR you could go for a documentary like yoga unveiled, naked in the ashes, or yoga inc.

10. Books. So either think BIG like a coffee table book for pictures, information, or philosophy. If you are buying for an ashtangi, try the Mysore book, or maybe ashtanga Yoga As it Is. There's also Light on Life or anything by Pema Chodron. Shantaram is really great. I'd say Eat, Pray Love, but EVERYONE has read that... Think about what they are into and what makes sense for them. Oh! A cookbook from an ashram or retreat center would be great!

11. Massage

12. Ayurvedic consultation, nutrition consultation, going green advisor, palm reader, etc.

13. a haircut or other service from an organic salon.

14. eye pillow. not everyone will want this. but it is nice to have your own for savasana.

15. Donation. make a donation in their name to a charity.

16. Healthy Restaurant. A gift certificate or date to a healthy restaurant or an Indian restaurant. PS-you aren't allowed to complain if you don't like it.

17. Yoga vacation. Get them frequent flier miles, a ticket, or maybe the fees to take that dream yoga vacation. You get points if you go with them.

18. Yoga Date. Take them to a class, take the class with them (that is important), buy them something from the boutique if they want, take them out to tea/dessert/smoothies/a meal.

19. Baked goods/home cooked meal. always nice!

20. A pedicure! Boy do we yogi people need them!

Hope this helps! But really, what's best is to just spend time with them and maybe pretend you are interested next time they want to tell you about downward dog.

"Antennas to heaven"

When it finally does snow, it stops being cold, it becomes beautiful.

The snow keeps its own pace. I sometimes remember to look up, and when I do, I'm surprised at how the sky really is falling right down on me at a rapid speed.

Recently viewed: The Beach. Please don't watch it. Once again, the book was SO much better.

Also: Water. Soft, subtle, colorful, horrific, beautiful, life changing, and all things India.

Current Read: Sigmund Freud's Civilization and its Discontents. I particularly enjoy his comments on the westerner's pursuit of eastern practices such as yoga. Also interesting, he says there are 3 sources of suffering. 1. our bodies are decaying and we will die. 2. the world is relentless and cruel. 3. people.

I find that like anything else I read on life and philosophy, turning on the lights is a great way to figure out that the monster in the corner is actually a pile of clothes.

Listening to: "Antennas to Heaven" by Godspeed You! Black Emperor (Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven [part2]) and then "Moonrise" by Sean Hayes (Alabama Chicken)

Money

Yes, money.

I just read these articles listed on the e-sutra list. You can read them by clicking either of these links:

http://esutra.blogspot.com/2007/12/financial-realities-and-occupational.html

http://esutra.blogspot.com/2002/09/yogis-behaving-badly.html

While I agree with the majority of what they are saying, I feel like they avoid the main issue: how to dedicate one's life to sharing the gift of yoga while at the same time being able to live.

I remember during my first teacher training, the question of money was a taboo subject. Maybe it was not intentional, but no one really wanted to talk about it. Yes, I was doing the training for my own practice and to share this gift of yoga with others, but at the same time, I have to pay rent just like anyone else.

Entering the world of teaching yoga was surreal. No one could have prepared me for it. There are no real standards for paying teachers, and in fact, there is often no professionalism. I have had multiple studios fail to pay me for classes I taught, but I guarantee that they never failed to collect money from the students.

I've had studio owners who were very nonchalant about pay dates and the writing of checks, and those who were personally offended by my "energy", when I requested that I be compensated for classes that I taught.

As a yoga teacher, there are usually no contracts, written or otherwise, that guarantee a teaching gig. (Requesting one is out of the question. Being hired is usually about your "Energy". Unless of course, you have been teaching since 1990, have packed classes, and your own line of videos.) The class could be cancelled in a second with no notice. Further, there is hardly ever a duration attached to a class. Everything is "indefinite".

Lets say I want to give up a class, studios often are upset if there is less than A MONTH of notice. At the same time, a teacher can be fired without even knowing it.

Sometimes, payment is given on a per head basis. It is interesting to find when these arrangements are made for a class time that is known to be unpopular, only setting the teacher up for failure.

YOGA TEACHERS OFTEN DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE!

There are no guarantees that one will be able to attain classes. Education often has little to do with it. People may be hired because they want a male on their teaching staff, or this person is beautiful, or they like their energy, or they are friends with so and so. Ultimately, it is about who will get the classes packed and keep the students coming. Everyone has rent to pay.

Yes, the commercialization of yoga can be disheartening. Yes, the number of poorly trained and ill-experienced teachers may be on the rise. But, I am having a hard time staying in an industry (and it is an industry) with such poor labor practices when the product they are selling is kindness, understanding, mindfulness, enlightenment, inner peace, etc.

Some of us aren't so lucky that we can't simply ask for more classes to have enough to pay the rent. And even if we did, this is a physically and mentally exhausting job.

So why do I do it? I do it because of the way I feel when I practice. I do it because of the way I hope I can help people feel when they practice. I do it because I hope that the industry will change. I hope that studios will learn how to be fair and to respect the teachers and the time they are giving. I hope that studios can find a way to make yoga accessible to those who cannot afford a $15 yoga class. I hope that teachers can start speaking up for themselves and that maybe working together, we can change the direction this is going in.

There are some studios that are really trying hard to make these changes. For instance, Yoga Works is now offering a 401k plan for ALL of their instructors. This is HUGE! Some studios offer health insurance, but these are generally the large franchises, and it is only offered to teachers who have over a certain number of classes (so it would be in the studio's favor to limit a teacher's class number).

When are we going to start getting serious about honoring our educators? Not just yoga, but also public school, college, etc? If this is not what we value, what are valuing?

Snow is coming

I try to imagine what it would be like if it snowed in Mysore. This makes me remember watching the "Guruji, Copenhagan" film at the India Song House in Mysore. In it, Guruji is all bundled up, ready to face the weather. This makes me smile.

I miss him, and I miss Mysore. I miss having a teacher watching me. I miss the simplicity of the days.

I walked into my room today and just did my laundry. This event has been some time in the making. But I did it. I didn't think about it, I just did it.

Sometimes when I practice, I'm looking at the tip of my nose, and where I am seems timeless, place less, even. I feel like maybe Sharath is to my right and that the blur I can sense is him instead of a laundry bin.

I want to tell myself that right now I am learning leaps and bounds of information, that I am going out every night and meeting new people, that my classes are packed and in demand, that my relationships are strong and mutually fulfilling. I'm searching my mind, my heart, and wondering if there is some sort of block, something I can't see, some kind of resistance, something. Despite all the "spiritual growth" and inquiry, despite all the philosophy and life practices I have been studying for some time, I still fall into these same patterns. I don't want to be dramatic, but they are patterns of self-inflicted misery. The worse part is that I am usually completely aware that I am doing it. Its like being in for surgery and hearing, feeling, and seeing the surgeons slice my skin. Hmmm.

I consider myself lucky to have moments like I just did where I can step back just far enough to admit that I feel like shit, but also that its all so ridiculous.

No matter all the precautions one may take, a flat tire is always a possibility. The thing is, when one gets a flat, usually the reaction is not to just ignore it, but to actively go through the process to have it repaired.

Recently Read: "The Beach" Verdict: couldn't put it down. It made standing outside on a subway platform at five in the morning in the snow, bearable.

Recently Watched: The author of "Eat, Pray, Love" on Oprah. I haven't fully digested this yet, but I think there is something good happening here.

Post script: But its the students that really get to me. I've had 2 walk out of my led primary recently when they saw I'd be teaching. But what I am actually refering to is the students who keep coming back and keep trying. Its amazing. There are days when I really, seriously want to throw in the towel, and then I see them practice and I remember that this is why I'm here.