Re: [Ashtanga Yoga] Competitiveness and Yoga Related Injuries

06-14-2003, 10:21 AM

This is a rich subject, to say the least. My
experience of ashtanga yoga is that it is extremely
competitive while at the same time, alot of lip
service is paid to the idea that it isn't. Yet I was
often given attention and praise when I could acheive
a difficult pose, and often reprimanded, met with
exasperation when i could not. this has been very
difficult to extract from my own practice, less so
from teaching others. It is tricky, because the
extremely challenging poses can make you stronger,
draw you more intensely into focus and presence. They
can also give you a thrill. And they are fun. And
not everyone can or should even try to do them.
Ultimately tricky asanas are just distraction. The
older I get (I have been practicing ashtanga for 11
years, and I am 45 years old) I have more
appreciation for other kinds of yoga which emphasize
quality and alignment over form..
w
--- vrviray wrote:
> Hello-
>
> I am completing research for an article I am
> writing. As a student,
> have you ever felt competitive in a yoga class? Has
> this ever
> resulted in an injury? If so, please email me
> directly about your
> experiences. If you are also available for an
> interview, please email
> a way I can contact you and the best time to call.
>
> If you are a teacher, do you ever see
> competitiveness in your
> students? If so, how do foster a more yogic state of
> mind? Please
> email me directly about your experiences. If you are
> also available
> for an interview, please email a way I can contact
> you and the best
> time to call.
>
> Thank you for your help.
>
> Best,
>
> Vince Viray
>
>
>

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06-14-2003, 12:55 PM

I start right away with letting people know that they don't have to compete even
with themselves much less other people. Being in this extremely competitive
society I find it is necessary to mention often to people to not overexert in
one way or another. I constantly bring their movements to the breath which
usually brings people into the moment. Competitiveness typically arises out of
comparisons of the past or imagined achievments in the future. When one is in
the present that all disappears. I have not nor have any of my students had
physical injuries as a result of tendencies to compete during a class. I have
noticed an unchecked competitiveness amongst yoga instructors outside the
classroom however, that has resulted in damaged egos or loss of friendships.
Come on guys it's a big beautiful world. We can all just play together you know.
But that seems to be easier said than done...

vrviray wrote: Hello-

I am completing research for an article I am writing. As a student,
have you ever felt competitive in a yoga class? Has this ever
resulted in an injury? If so, please email me directly about your
experiences. If you are also available for an interview, please email
a way I can contact you and the best time to call.

If you are a teacher, do you ever see competitiveness in your
students? If so, how do foster a more yogic state of mind? Please
email me directly about your experiences. If you are also available
for an interview, please email a way I can contact you and the best
time to call.

Thank you for your help.

Best,

Vince Viray

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

06-15-2003, 02:13 PM

Hello-

Thank you for responding. WOuld you be available for a
brief follow-up interview? It wouldn't take very long,
about 10-15 minutes. Please email me back if you are
available, and a good time to reach you. My deadline
is fast approaching, so if you're available, please
let me know as soon as possible.

thanks for your help.

Best,

Vince Viray
(646) 422-0401
--- Lori Salomon wrote:
> This is a rich subject, to say the least. My
> experience of ashtanga yoga is that it is extremely
> competitive while at the same time, alot of lip
> service is paid to the idea that it isn't. Yet I
> was
> often given attention and praise when I could
> acheive
> a difficult pose, and often reprimanded, met with
> exasperation when i could not. this has been very
> difficult to extract from my own practice, less so
> from teaching others. It is tricky, because the
> extremely challenging poses can make you stronger,
> draw you more intensely into focus and presence.
> They
> can also give you a thrill. And they are fun. And
> not everyone can or should even try to do them.
> Ultimately tricky asanas are just distraction. The
> older I get (I have been practicing ashtanga for 11
> years, and I am 45 years old) I have more
> appreciation for other kinds of yoga which emphasize
> quality and alignment over form..
> w
> --- vrviray wrote:
> > Hello-
> >
> > I am completing research for an article I am
> > writing. As a student,
> > have you ever felt competitive in a yoga class?
> Has
> > this ever
> > resulted in an injury? If so, please email me
> > directly about your
> > experiences. If you are also available for an
> > interview, please email
> > a way I can contact you and the best time to call.
> >
> > If you are a teacher, do you ever see
> > competitiveness in your
> > students? If so, how do foster a more yogic state
> of
> > mind? Please
> > email me directly about your experiences. If you
> are
> > also available
> > for an interview, please email a way I can contact
> > you and the best
> > time to call.
> >
> > Thank you for your help.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > Vince Viray
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
> http://sbc.yahoo.com
>
>

__________________________________
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06-16-2003, 08:46 PM

I left you a phone message but i will email you as
well... yes , i could do a short interview. I left my
phone number on the message . if you cant reach me
tonight i will probably be home tomorrow at 3oclock
california time.
--- Vicente Viray wrote:
> Hello-
>
> Thank you for responding. WOuld you be available for
> a
> brief follow-up interview? It wouldn't take very
> long,
> about 10-15 minutes. Please email me back if you are
> available, and a good time to reach you. My deadline
> is fast approaching, so if you're available, please
> let me know as soon as possible.
>
> thanks for your help.
>
> Best,
>
> Vince Viray
> (646) 422-0401
> --- Lori Salomon wrote:
> > This is a rich subject, to say the least. My
> > experience of ashtanga yoga is that it is
> extremely
> > competitive while at the same time, alot of lip
> > service is paid to the idea that it isn't. Yet I
> > was
> > often given attention and praise when I could
> > acheive
> > a difficult pose, and often reprimanded, met
> with
> > exasperation when i could not. this has been
> very
> > difficult to extract from my own practice, less
> so
> > from teaching others. It is tricky, because the
> > extremely challenging poses can make you
> stronger,
> > draw you more intensely into focus and presence.
> > They
> > can also give you a thrill. And they are fun.
> And
> > not everyone can or should even try to do them.
> > Ultimately tricky asanas are just distraction.
> The
> > older I get (I have been practicing ashtanga for
> 11
> > years, and I am 45 years old) I have more
> > appreciation for other kinds of yoga which
> emphasize
> > quality and alignment over form..
> > w
> > --- vrviray wrote:
> > > Hello-
> > >
> > > I am completing research for an article I am
> > > writing. As a student,
> > > have you ever felt competitive in a yoga class?
> > Has
> > > this ever
> > > resulted in an injury? If so, please email me
> > > directly about your
> > > experiences. If you are also available for an
> > > interview, please email
> > > a way I can contact you and the best time to
> call.
> > >
> > > If you are a teacher, do you ever see
> > > competitiveness in your
> > > students? If so, how do foster a more yogic
> state
> > of
> > > mind? Please
> > > email me directly about your experiences. If you
> > are
> > > also available
> > > for an interview, please email a way I can
> contact
> > > you and the best
> > > time to call.
> > >
> > > Thank you for your help.
> > >
> > > Best,
> > >
> > > Vince Viray
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
> > http://sbc.yahoo.com
> >
> >
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month!
> http://sbc.yahoo.com
>
>

__________________________________
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