Re: [Ashtanga Yoga] Re: Practice in London

09-09-2003, 12:37 PM

Cheers for the kind words Zekes7,

Glad to know that I¹m not the only one who is self-taught. You might want
to check out this inspiring web-site by another self-practicing ashtangi:

http://goinside.com/01/6/ashtanga.html

I¹m glad your practice is going well and that you¹re ENJOYING it!!! That¹s
the most important thing. Personally, I¹d be quite happy to stay at this
level for quite some time! My practice is at its fullest right now . this
is as much as I can possibly do, and thus I receive the maximum physical and
mental benefits possible. My practice is equal to that of David Swenson¹s:
we are both practicing to our greatest degree. That¹s what counts. I feel
great!

Also, I feel that there is a lot of ego flying around these shalas and
amongst many ashtanga students. I have no ego!!! I don¹t force!! I push
and yield. I let it happen. I couldn¹t care less about mr. bendy-legs next
to me on the next mat. Is he breathing to his fullest? Is he channeling
the energy? When I work, I spread out and FILL every space in my body, I
bloom and reach into every little nook & cranny, but can I get every asana?
No. But this is my practice. Its a work in progress!

Working on your own is a REAL journey. You truly LEARN about yoga. Yoga is
about listening. Not about listening to a teacher, but about listening to
yourself. Its about being silent.....and feeling how you FEEL. I¹ve learnt
a lot practicing on my own. Its a very personal and emotional journey
because its just you and your body and your mind. You¹re a team!!! You¹re
working together, but you¹ve only got yourself to rely and lean on. Work it
out! You work through the puzzles and come out through the other side.
There¹s a lot to be said about studying less and practicing more. Only when
being practical and not concentrating on the theory do you make mistakes and
learn from them. Sometimes it can be difficult. Is this right? Is this
wrong? That¹s all part of the process, and relying on your own intuition
and moving into an area which feels right to YOU is often more rewarding
than simply passing the buck to a teacher and relying on them to tell you
what to do.

Because then, and only then, do you truly understand why you are doing what
you are doing.

Prima

On 9/9/03 5:45 pm, "zekes7" wrote:

> Namaste Prima:
> I can not speak for what's the best group in London town, but I can
> tell you you are not alone with first time jitters. I am at your
> level and I am self taught also. I haven't even had the benefit of
> another ashtangi for a one-on-one, though I do feel that I know David
> Svenson, Richard Freeman and of course, Guruji from all of the tapes
> and dvd's I practice with. All I have is three full length mirrors
> with which to gauge myself. Personally, I like me

! I mean, I
> look good now compared to the apple that I looked like before. I am
> getting stared at and I always think my fly is open or something. I
> am being asked what are you doing to your skin? What are you doing
> to yourself? At 55 and having never heard those words or seen the
> stares this is ego stuff and I'll try not to pig out on it. My
> journey East will begin sometimes in the Fall of next year and I too
> will spend time in London. I will definitely watch your email
> responses. Don't sweat it, after all wisdom is humbling.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In ashtangayoga (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com, Prima wrote:
>> > Hi all
>> >
>> > I will be visiting London in about 1 month's time and really want
> to make
>> > the effort to get myself to a proper ashtanga class. I will most
> likely be
>> > in London for about 1-2 weeks so a course is out of the question.
> I will
>> > however, be able to catch a couple of drop-in classes although I
> may be only
>> > able to catch one.
>> >
>> > Also, its worth bearing in mind that this will only be the second
> time I
>> > will have attended a class. I'm pretty much self-taught and been
> practicing
>> > (slowly) for about 6 months. So I'm not used to practicing around
> other
>> > people, let alone been shouted at or modified by a teacher! I'm a
> little
>> > scared to tell you the truth, about living up to my own
> expectations, other
>> > peoples' expectations and not being crap. I know that's it's
> important to
>> > lose the ego and just accept your practice for what it is.
> However, this is
>> > FAR more easier when you're doing this in the comfort-zone of your
> own home!
>> > The only other teacher I met was an extremely humble and kind-
> hearted
>> > ashtangi and it was a one-on-one session - that was a nice session.
>> >
>> > Because of my self-taught (and slow) progress my practice has only
> reached
>> > doing about 8 or 9 sun sal A's and 8 or 9 sun sal B's followed by
> 1st series
>> > standing (with modifications) with the slight possibility of
> veering into
>> > seated postures!
>> >
>> > So, my question is, bearing in mind all the things I've said and
> all my
>> > apprehensions, what London Ashtanga class would you recommend for
> myself if
>> > I could only 'drop-in' to one (maybe 2) sessions?
>> >
>> > Ta - prima
>> >
>> >
>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

09-09-2003, 12:42 PM

Hi Noa,

Thanks for the reply. I¹m not sure that I¹d ³find that the classes are too
hard². Isn¹t ashtanga as hard as you make it? You go as deep as you need
to, surely? You work to your limits, no? I mean, not every yoga student is
at the same level at these classes are they? Also, I¹m not a beginner, so
there must be some kind of class for me!!!!! I can¹t be un-teachable!!!!

To be fair, I¹m not hugely fussed, but I just thought seeing that I¹m down
in London....

Unfortunately, in Newcastle, there aren¹t any ashtanga teachers for miles
and miles and miles. Rather annoying.

Prima

On 9/9/03 5:40 pm, "noabodner" wrote:

> Dear prima...
> there r a few good places for ahtanga in london... but to b honest
> it seems that u r taking your time with your own practice (which is
> great...) and may find that the classes are either too hard or too
> intrusive with their adjusmeants...
> i advise you find a course or a regular class in your own area so
> that u'll get the feel of other people around(it's great fun!)
> if u r stll determind to take a class look up
> www.ashtangayogalondon.com or seach for other links to yoga in
> london.
> good luck and enjoy.
> namaste , Noa . -
> -- In ashtangayoga (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com, Prima wrote:
>> > Hi all
>> >
>> > I will be visiting London in about 1 month's time and really want
> to make
>> > the effort to get myself to a proper ashtanga class. I will most
> likely be
>> > in London for about 1-2 weeks so a course is out of the question.
> I will
>> > however, be able to catch a couple of drop-in classes although I
> may be only
>> > able to catch one.
>> >
>> > Also, its worth bearing in mind that this will only be the second
> time I
>> > will have attended a class. I'm pretty much self-taught and been
> practicing
>> > (slowly) for about 6 months. So I'm not used to practicing around
> other
>> > people, let alone been shouted at or modified by a teacher! I'm a
> little
>> > scared to tell you the truth, about living up to my own
> expectations, other
>> > peoples' expectations and not being crap. I know that's it's
> important to
>> > lose the ego and just accept your practice for what it is.
> However, this is
>> > FAR more easier when you're doing this in the comfort-zone of your
> own home!
>> > The only other teacher I met was an extremely humble and kind-
> hearted
>> > ashtangi and it was a one-on-one session - that was a nice session.
>> >
>> > Because of my self-taught (and slow) progress my practice has only
> reached
>> > doing about 8 or 9 sun sal A's and 8 or 9 sun sal B's followed by
> 1st series
>> > standing (with modifications) with the slight possibility of
> veering into
>> > seated postures!
>> >
>> > So, my question is, bearing in mind all the things I've said and
> all my
>> > apprehensions, what London Ashtanga class would you recommend for
> myself if
>> > I could only 'drop-in' to one (maybe 2) sessions?
>> >
>> > Ta - prima
>> >
>> >
>> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
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> .

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

09-10-2003, 12:15 AM

If you're going to be in London in a month's time, you should try to get to
one of the classes being taught by Pattabhi Jois. He's here between October
2nd and 14th.

You can see what courses are available and book at
http://www.astangayogalondon.com/

Alternatively, get in contact with Hamish Hendry or Anna Wise, tell them
what you want to do and get their advice. They are both certified teachers
and their numbers are on the site.

best

bird

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

09-12-2003, 12:50 PM

hello everyone,

in my opinion the two best places to practise mysore style ashtange yoga are

a. North London Buddhist Centre, in Holloway Road, Highbury and Islington
tube (Alex Thomas)
b. Yoga Place, in Bethnal Green, Bethnal Green tube (Alex Medin)

>From: skydivegirlie
>Reply-To: ashtangayoga (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
>To: ashtangayoga (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
>Subject: [Ashtanga Yoga] Re: Practice in London
>Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2003 10:02:22 -0000
>
>Hi prima,
>
>In London try ' TRIYOGA' for an ashtanga class- nearest tube is Chalk
>Farm.
>Pleanty of Level 1 and 2 classes.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>ashtangayoga-unsubscribe (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

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