This weekend is not about crocheting a giant pencil. Probably it should be, but it isn't. This weekend is our second and last weekend of being taught by Srivatsa Ramaswami. Mr. Ramaswami was a student of Krishnamacharya for 30 years, so his teaching are straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak.
Last weekend he fooled me into being lulled into thinking that he was a lovely, older man who was gentle, if strict about what he teaches. He lectured and then led us through some vinyasas - nothing too tricky or strenuous. He was to lead us through more vinyasas on Sunday, but I got all cocky and decided I should do my Mysore-style ashtanga sequence in the morning before that. Well, dang it if he didn't kick our butts for the rest of the day. An hour of variations on shoulder stand! Note to ambitious 40+ year olds: Do not underestimate the elderly!
This weekend, however, we are discussing the Yoga Sutra on both days. It is beautiful text that is truly the essence of yoga, which by the way, is not about difficult physical poses at all. There are only three mentions of asanas in the whole 195 sutras and they are about how to sit in meditation. No, yoga is about ceasing the action of the mind.
Hmmmm...quieting the mind. Now where have I heard that before?
1 comment:
(sigh) i could certainly use more practice quieting my mind . . and an hour of shoulder stand variations! i can hardly handle 3 minutes!
it sounds so wonderful robyn, a very special journey . . thanks for sharing . . yoga inspiration . .
Post a Comment