RE: [Ashtanga Yoga] Re: Modifies Primary Series

09-12-2002, 02:17 PM

I also agree, and Margee, there's a world of
difference, I think, between working on binding in an
asana, and skipping or changing more challenging asana
just to get through the series. Beginners should start
at the beginning!!!! What is this preoccupation people
have with getting through the series? Sun salutations,
done with awareness and in proper form are a great way
to begin a practice. Why do we assume a beginner needs
to practice a modified version of the entire series?
Are they really practicing yoga or are they just
exercising? Where's the yoga in pushing your body into
asana you are not prepared for? So what if you
practice for years and don't get through the series??
Maybe its just me, but I've been practicing for a few
years and I'm only about 3/4 of the way through. I'm
not bored, nor do I feel that I'm not "accomplishing"
anything. There's a lot to learn in doing a zillion
Suryanamaskara.

Just a side, I think it is inappropriate for someone
to refer to any vinyasa as Ashtanga that is not the
true series. Or, to call one's self a certified
Ashtanga teacher if they are not certified by Guruji.
Why not refer to yourself as a vinyasa teacher?

--- "Gearhart, Margee" wrote:
> I must say first off, that I totally agree with you.
> First, the sun
> salutations and then each asana, one at a time. I
> do believe though, that
> at sometime during the practice you may have to
> modify some. Speaking only
> for myself, I know that I have had to modify a bit
> when it comes to the
> asanas where I need to bind my hands to my feet. I
> cannot, for the life of
> me, get my hand to my feet and do it correctly on my
> own. Now, when my
> teacher helps me, that is a different story. I have
> stayed in the same
> asanas for what seems forever and I STILL CAN'T BIND
> ON MY OWN! So, do I
> never move on until I can bind. I think not. This
> is where I modify and do
> the pose as best as I can until I get to the next
> one. If I felt that I
> couldn't modify some (at times) then I wouldn't stay
> with this practice,
> what would be the sense. We all have different
> physical abilities and we
> have to take those into account. I still get so
> much from this practice and
> now I have "given up" the competitive feelings
> within myself to "conquer the
> pose" and I have been able to move forward with my
> Mysore practice without
> compromising it too much.
> Margee
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: backbayyoga [SMTP:no_reply (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com]
> > Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2002 9:30 AM
> > To: ashtangayoga (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
> > Subject: [Ashtanga Yoga] Re: Modifies Primary
> Series
> >
> > Ok. All this stuff about modifying......
> > First a new student should just start out with
> doing the sun
> > salutations. Build those FIRST. Then add standing
> poses one at a
> > time. None of this skipping poses and all of that
> stuff. Just take it
> > slow. I think that it is wrong to tell people to
> tell people to do
> > the whole thing and modify. They are much better
> off starting with
> > less poses and actually learning them correctly.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
> > ADVERTISEMENT
> >
> >
>
<http://rd.yahoo.com/M=233351.2287381...upweb/S=170506
> >
>
0955:HM/A=1212975/R=0/*http://www.gotomypc.com/u/tr/yh/grp/300_mapG/g22lp?
> > Target=mm/g22lp.tmpl>
> >
> >
>
<http://us.adserver.yahoo.com/l?M=233...5242/D=egroupm
> > ail/S=:HM/A=1212975/rand=630788408>
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > ashtangayoga-unsubscribe (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo!
> Terms of Service
> > .
>
>

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! News - Today's headlines
http://news.yahoo.com

09-12-2002, 06:56 PM

This is something I've had difficulty understanding. Ashtanga is an old word
that means "Eight Limbs". So wouldn't it be correct for anyone teaching
Patanjali's Eight Limb philosophy to call it Ashtanga?
I understand that it's irritating when people use titles that don't technically
apply to them. And it can be misleading to people that want to learn about it.
But it seems to me that the word Ashtanga could be used for all Raja yoga.

Kathleen wrote: Just a side, I think it is inappropriate for someone
to refer to any vinyasa as Ashtanga that is not the
true series. Or, to call one's self a certified
Ashtanga teacher if they are not certified by Guruji.
Why not refer to yourself as a vinyasa teacher?

---------------------------------
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! News - Today's headlines

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]