individualized vs. standard series

[Guest guest]

Do we follow standard series of asanas, like the

primary series or get a yoga teacher to design a specific

set for us.I am trying to learn the Primary

series(still), and I am reading Heart of Yoga. Desikachar

stresses individualized approaches. Astanga seems, to me

to stress mastering a specific routine. It seems to

be a different approach.<br>I also wonder why, if

Iyengar, Jois, and a few of the other masters all studied

under Krishnamacharya, they all seem to stress

different aspects of yoga practice?

[Guest guest]

Alanmushnick,<br>You can come to our Mysore

practice group in Providence. Am I right? You live in

Boston? You can get the primary series and at least get

started. We haven't picked times yet but if you are

interested I will let you know. The primary series is the

same for everyone. YOu just add on each pose step by

step until you can go through the whole thing. The

order of poses is always the same for everyone. Let me

know if you are interested.<br><br>I suggest trying to

get to New York and take some classes with Eddie and

Guy and Manju. WHen back home you can come to our

group/classes.<br><br>Good Luck!<br>Trinka

[Guest guest]

ashtanga yoga follows a set of specific

exercises. In a way I think that comparing the three

teachers is like comparing apples & oranges. I think all

three methods are valid.But because of the many

different types of people in this world we're all attracted

to different things at different times.

Krisnamacharya may have foreseen this when he trained 3

exceptional students. Desikachar's brand of yoga seems to

lean more to therapeutic yoga for the individual. I

find Iyengar in it's preciseness attractive to a

person who wants to learn all the intracacies of yoga.

If you're like me - I just want to jump in & do it.

Ashtanga satisfied that part of my personality. It's also

been therapeutic.Breathing conciously & doing the

bandhas made me practice the poses correctly. In other

words I think you just naturally gravitate towards the

form you need.

[Guest guest]

sometimes no doubt yes, but sometimes maybe we gravitate towards the form that

most reinforces our sense of self, and then thats a shame.......

[Guest guest]

I agree with what you're saying. I think it's a

good idea to try more than 1 form of yoga and

challenge yourself a bit. I've come to love ashtanga after

experimenting with different forms over 20 years.This one just

resonates with me & I've found that I'm able to practice on

a regular basis so I will stick with it. The

reinforced self that used to be me would never have looked

at ashtanga in the past because it would't have fit

into the frame of reference I knew as yoga at the

time. Bottom line - keep your mind open and go with the

flow. What works today may not work tomorrow.

[Guest guest]

Even though I already responded to this I realize

now that I did not fully understand the questions at

first. I wonder, also, why I was drawn so clearly to

ashtanga and also I am aware of the tendency to reinforce

one's sense of self, opinions and desires - samsara. It

is good to pay some attention to people, places and

things with ideas and opinons that are contrary to our

established set of principals, right? To keep opening up the

doors and develop compassion. Some of my best teachers

(of all things - not just yoga, but linklater voice,

alexander technique, grotowski, etc.) have said that the

places in the practice that are not comfortable for you

or that are less enjoyable and that you tend to

avoid are probably the areas that, when practiced

faithfully, will bring the most growth and benefit. Those are

the areas you need to practice. I believe this is

true.<br><br>Maybe these masters' practices are all different simply

because they are different people, and they are all

equally valid because their practices are born out of

years of experience.<br><br>All I know is that I need

the heat-building, breath-based physical challenge of

ashtanga in order to have peace of mind. Iyengar engages

my thinking too much but is good for others. I am

too poor to have an individualized approach designed

for me, but maybe someday I will know the benefits of

this as well.<br><br>Very interesting dialogue. Thanks

for bringing up these questions.

[Guest guest]

Iyengar was an Astanga yoga master. He watered it

down for his western audience. Get ahold of the video

shot in the '30 of Krishnamacharya and Iyengar

practicing in Mysore together. You will see that Iyengar's

own practice 3rd series connected by traditional

vinyasas. (Also note that Mr. Iyengar and Krishnamacharya

did not of the foolish florishes that western

students have introduced such as hand stands or vertical

jumps in vinyasas....or making curley cues with the

forefinger and thumb as many californian students do. It was

simple and pure Astanga yoga, just as it has been

practiced for the ages.<br><br>Senor Pinche Wey