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ISSUE 2 |
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| News from SPACE |
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This is a very exciting time for Ashtanga Yoga in Space. We would like to take the time to honor our growing Ashtanga community. Your incredible enthusiasm and dedication is truly inspiring. If you have not yet tried Ashtanga, don’t worry this is the perfect time. Because of your eagerness to learn more, we are now offering an extraordinary 5 week “Introduction to Ashtanga” course. Ashtanga is accessible and can be modified to suit most individuals. Students will be taught the basic components of Ashtanga, including the breathing techniques and internal bandhas and given a background on the history. The entire sequence of postures will be covered gradually over the five weeks. |
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| Yoga and Subtraction |
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By Patrick Ko
For two days in a row, I saw the same green eighteen-wheeler truck on my way to school on the Mass Turnpike – what a coincidence! It was a milk truck with an advertisement on its sides. The interesting message got me thinking was “The key to life is what you add to it. Add something.” Presumably it served to remind consumers to add the company’s full line of milk products to their shopping lists. The key to life is what you add to it – what a modern western concept that is not too uncommon, right? However, as I thought more about it, the message didn’t quite agree with me. Personally, as I reflected my yoga practice, I realized that the key to my life might be what I can let go or subtract from it.
When we first start practicing yoga, like any new hobby, it can feel like an addition game – new mat, new outfits, new environment, new routine and friends. Yoga certainly added a lot to my life and opened up new possibilities.
However, as I continued to practice at a deeper level, yoga began to help me shed away some unnecessary habits and thought patterns such as fear and anxiety. Habits such like smoking and drinking alcohol had less and less of a grip on my life. On the mat, as I discovered and touched the core power of my heart over and over, my life began to simplify. It is true for me personally that yoga had lessened my obsession with the material world as well
What is this subtraction game that comes so naturally as a part of our practice? In the ancient Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, this idea is categorized as Aparigraha - restraint of non-hoarding and Santosha - observance of contentment. In our modern life, these two concepts can still be applied. We have the opportunity to practice non-hoarding when we are in the mall – do I really need another pair of jeans? We can also observe what we think makes us happy – am I ever really happier because of the accumulation of material things? When we reach deep into our hearts, we realize that the answers to those questions are no. We can also extends into the nonmaterial world as well, by saying no to and letting go of negative thought patterns of fear, anxiety, anger, and envy just to name a few.
The practice of yoga doesn’t necessarily mean we have to relinquish or renounce everything. However, we need to consciously examine our relationship with things and thoughts, as well as practice clearing space and cleaning house for something better both inside and out.
Our modern world does not encourage the practices of non-hoarding and contentment. But we must not forget the real answers lie within ourselves, and our yoga practice serves to align us with truth. Gandhi once said, “The essence of civilization consists not in the multiplication of wants but in their deliberate and voluntary renunciation.” This is a hard thing to do, but it certainly rings true.
So next time when we are busy seeking new teachers, workshops, clothing, etc in our modern yogic lives, pause for a moment and consider the deeper work of subtraction. Connect with the teachings of Aparigraha and Santosha. You may be pleasantly surprised that in this modern world driven by consumerism, there are ways to simplify and return to a quieter, more aligned and conscious way of living, especially through our yoga practice on and off the mat.
Namaste,
Patrick |
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| Interview with a Yogi |
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Interview with Sharon Moon
 Yogini Sharon Moon is warm, bright, full of life, and truly passionate about Ashtanga Yoga. Her commitment to practice and open heart are contagious. A class with Sharon is both nurturing and demanding. She creates a safe and peaceful space for students to explore their practices and push beyond their limitations.
Why did you start doing Yoga?
It was 1971, the age of the hippies. Someone gave me a copy of "Be Here Now." It is a book by Ram Das, about being in the present moment and Yogic philosophy. It is the reason many people of my generation became Interested in Yoga. I was coming out of a very difficult time in my young life and I had stopped believing in God. This book inspired me to read the classic texts on Yogic philosophy. Through these readings I discovered the door to devotion, prayer, meditation, and chanting and eventually the yogic postures. I fell in love with God.
Who was your first Yoga teacher?
I was living in Austin, Texas and there were really not so many opportunities to study Yoga. She was one of only two Yoga teachers in town. For a long time after that I was self-taught. I met my first Ashtanga teacher David Swenson in 1994. Ashtanga immediately appealed to me because it offered both a physical challenge and spirituality.
How would you describe him (David Swenson)?
He is truly a gifted teacher. He could teach knitting and he would be a great teacher. He pushes students when its time to push and he make it fun and accessible to beginners. In many ways, he is the reason Ashtanga became so popular in the US. He is extremely humble.
What is your favorite aspect of teaching?
It’s watching the light bulb go off for students. It’s watching people do enough regular practice to experience the deeper, more subtle aspects; the point where it is no longer just a physical practice.
Ashtanga requires a lot of discipline and an extremely dedicated practice. Do you have any tips to help students get started?
It is simple. Put one foot in front of the other, and even when you don’t want to, go stand on your Yoga mat. Give yourself permission to stay for even two minutes, even if it’s all you do for that day. Allow the practice to be whatever it is, instead of saying I have to be perfect. Remind yourself that tomorrow will bring something different. Do away with sabotaging your self realization. Just breathe in and breathe out mindfully. That is who we are, recognize this truth. Don’t listen to that voice that says can’t. It is the ego. Just keep doing it. The heat created from the practice burns up the poisons (greed, anger, desire) that surround our hearts. It is not easy. In the beginning it can be really uncomfortable. All of our issues are brought to the surface, like a roller coaster of emotion.
What do you find most challenging about teaching?
I am not sure. It is difficult to watch people’s unwillingness to let go of what they think they know. Also, getting people to experience Ashtanga as more than a physical practice takes time. They have to keep going long enough to see it is more.
Can anyone practice Ashtanga?
Sharath (the grandson of Patthatbhi Jois) says anyone but the lazy person can practice. I think Ashtanga is a fantastic yoga and most people can do it and certainly if they are willing to modify things when needed. But there are many different kinds of people with various conditions that just don’t suit them for Ashtanga. And many different types of temperament. That is why there are many different types of yoga. I think if anyone has interest in Ashtanga they should try a workshop or basics class to get a feel for it. |
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| Yoga Practice and Natural Therapy - Ayurveda II |
By Mario
Before we begin our asana practice, we must take time to prepare the body. Some asanas stretch the body in intense ways. If the muscles are not properly warmed up one may cause damage to the body.
Complete warm up
A Yoga practice should include a complete warm up routine for all parts of the body. Simple stretches and twists will invigorate each and every joint. In most cases of injury, damage is caused from lack of warm up prior to practicing asana.
Pranayama
Breathing is of great importance in practicing asana. Through deep inhalation and exhalation, we are able to reach a state of peace and comfort for the body and mind.
Savasana
This is also known as the corpse pose. This is an essential asana. Its’ main purpose is to bring the body to deep levels of relaxation. It is practiced at the end of every yoga session to create balance and peace of mind.
Massage
It is necessary to massage each part of the body after practicing asana, the main purpose of the massage is to soften the tissues and muscles after intensive stretching and twisting of the body. It can help to prevent soreness of the muscles the day following an intensive practice.
Concentration
While practicing asana, it is extremely important to focus on bringing the body, spirit, and mind into balance. By observing the body and breath one can experience the flow of energy within the body. Careful attention and mindfulness will help the practitioner avoid sports injuries caused by lack of concentration.
Discipline
In order make progress in your Yoga practice; you must cultivate a strong sense of discipline. Try to practice a few times a week in the beginning and build up to a daily practice. Part of the practice of Yoga is learning to be patient and gentle with your self. Avoid comparing yourself with others. Remember everyone’s body is different. Some poses will seem natural and easy and some will be challenging. Pushing too hard will cause injury.
Be sure to go over these points thoroughly with your yoga instructor. |
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Yoga Vocabulary |
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Om
(also written Aum) is the oldest and most sacred sound found in yoga, Hinduism and Buddhism. Not only does Om represent the entire universe, known as Brahman, it is also said to be the source of all creation. Om represents all time: past, present, and future; and is beyond time itself. Om represents the eternal oneness of all that is, and thus represents the ultimate goal of yoga: to become unified in body, mind and spirit.
Sadhana
the means of self-realization, is the path that leads to enlightenment. The goal of sadhana is to attain some level of spiritual realization, which can be either enlightenment, pure love of God (prema), liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara). Yoga is one of the many paths to reach this goal, and within the practice of Yoga are many different sadhanas.
Moksha
(Sanskrit, liberation) release) refers, in Indian religions, to liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth and all the suffering and limitation entailed in embodied worldly existence. Moksha is a state of non-ego.
Maya
(Sanskrit, illusion) Maya is the illusion that he phenomenal world of separate objects and people is the only reality. We are bound to this world through attachment and desire, and the inability to experience the oneness of life. |
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