It was very early morning today, because I heard a rumour, that today’s led class would start 4.00 a.m. regular time and I went to the Shala a little bit before. It was just a rumour and the class started as usual 4.15 a.m. I have met here many people, who need time before their practice and that’s why they wake up every morning at least one hour before their practice time. For me, it’s better to move fast after I wake up, otherwise I am not gonna make it. I like to watch other people’s practices, but otherwise I don’t like to wait. I will only start to feel more sleepy.
Today’s practice was weak as I expected, but it started very well. Sharath assisted me with Uthita Hasta Padangustasana, but otherwise I was on my own. In Navasana I was very shaky and after that I didn’t have any energy left and I felt that I wanted to vomit. So after that asana I took it very easily and came down in Sirsasana before others as well as took only one Urdva Dhanurasana up. Tomorrow is a new day and I didn’t want to push too much today.
I am going for a Halloween lunch to Santosha. Ann promised to cook us dishes with pumpkin, so I am excited to see, how orange the table will be. I have noticed, that I need to add some protein to my food, because I feel sometimes quite tired here. I haven’t had any fish here, so I have to be more aware with my food. Indians don’t eat tofu and not much soya either, so the vegetarian dishes don’t include that much protein. I am even considering to continue eating only vegetarian food in the future. My friends here are so good cooks, that even I have good changes to learn to make proper vegetarian food.
Happy Orange Halloween My Friends! And lot of trick and treats!
31 Oct 2010
You Gonna Love It or Hate It!
Almoust one month behind and I can tell, that I love Mysore. I know, this is yoga bubble, where you are all the time surrounded by yogis, yogic lifestyle, yoga books, yoga talks etc. People here go to bed early, wake up extremely early, are vegetarians or vegans, don’t drink that much and hardly go out. Smoking is terrible habit and meat is enemy. They are interested in philosophy, mysticism, meditation, spiritualism, raw food, healthy eating, ayerveda, holistic lifestyle, healing, energy, art, sport, anatomy and the most of all ashtanga yoga. Usually they have travelled quite much, speak at least English and have changed some way their previous lifestyle because of yoga. So we are quite similar people with similar interests, but really different backgrounds. I love this international vibe here, it’s so much my thing. But this isn’t real India for sure.
Some people here are totally done with Mysore. They are just waiting to finish their travel or get authorized and get out of the country as soon as possible. And preferably never come back. Others have been here numerous times, might even authorized by Guruji many years ago and they still want to come back here always, when it’s possible. They love to practice here, they love the life here, they think, that this is home as well as origin of ashtanga yoga. Some people have even bought houses here.
I think that for me life is easy here. I don’t have to explain to anybody, why I don’t eat meat, why I go to bed early, why I don’t want to eat late, why I want to practice every morning or why ashtanga yoga is so special to me. People here speak same language with me. I think, that in Finland most of my best friends are familiar with my weird habits, but here I feel, that I am normal. Nothing special, just like the others. I wouldn’t like to live here forever, because time to time I miss my people from Finland and even Finland, but I know already, that I will come back here many times. I am stuck with Mysore. Sharath is amazing, some people here are unreal, your practice every morning in the Shala is a treat and the rest – you just have to cope with it.
Some people here are totally done with Mysore. They are just waiting to finish their travel or get authorized and get out of the country as soon as possible. And preferably never come back. Others have been here numerous times, might even authorized by Guruji many years ago and they still want to come back here always, when it’s possible. They love to practice here, they love the life here, they think, that this is home as well as origin of ashtanga yoga. Some people have even bought houses here.
I think that for me life is easy here. I don’t have to explain to anybody, why I don’t eat meat, why I go to bed early, why I don’t want to eat late, why I want to practice every morning or why ashtanga yoga is so special to me. People here speak same language with me. I think, that in Finland most of my best friends are familiar with my weird habits, but here I feel, that I am normal. Nothing special, just like the others. I wouldn’t like to live here forever, because time to time I miss my people from Finland and even Finland, but I know already, that I will come back here many times. I am stuck with Mysore. Sharath is amazing, some people here are unreal, your practice every morning in the Shala is a treat and the rest – you just have to cope with it.
29 Oct 2010
Letting It Go…
In some mysterious way, I got sick. I have been supersupercareful here with the food and I have either cooked at home or I have eaten in places, where yogis eat. I mean I have had only one cup of chai and the rice offered my neighbour outside those before-mentioned places and I got sick. I have drank only bottled water and even brushed my teeth with it, but I couldn’t avoid getting sick. Yesterday I laid on the bed whole day, napping, sleeping and reading. I got a little bit fever too, so all my sore muscles hurted and I was quite shaky.
Today I feel much better, but still I couldn’t practice. Three days off is going to feel like eternity. Hah, sounds familiar? Yes, I know that the next practice will be shaky and stiff, but I have to listen to my body and follow the principle of ahimsa (non-violance). I think that this whole ashtanga system is so brilliant, because we don’t start with yama (moral codes), but asana. Asana will teach us among other things about ahimsa. If I am not going to have day off now, I will be violent against myself. So even when I don’t do my physical practice today, I am actually practicing. First I have to learn to be non-violent against myself and later I might learn not to be violent against other people (this includes nasty thoughts). But it’s so difficult to be without asana practice…
I continued reading Guruji book and John Scott (p. 356) talks in it about the people, who are attracted by ashtanga yoga. He says: ”It [ashtanga yoga] definitely attracts people who have a very obsessive nature or an addictive nature. I think that the practice can be very addictive, which is clever.”…”Now when you start working with the addiction of yoga, the not doing yoga is a yoga in itself.”… ”…, the system is always testing you. So I think that these are some of the reasons why Pattabhi Jois puts in the full and dark moon to give us the opportunity to not practice. So the people with obsessive natures are also challenged within the practice to let go of the practice.”
So today’s plan is to rest, drink water, eat properly, take good care of myself and build up my energy for Sunday’s asana practice. You can see that it’s still too challenging for me live only in this moment and not think about Sunday already… Maybe, one day, I will learn.
Today I feel much better, but still I couldn’t practice. Three days off is going to feel like eternity. Hah, sounds familiar? Yes, I know that the next practice will be shaky and stiff, but I have to listen to my body and follow the principle of ahimsa (non-violance). I think that this whole ashtanga system is so brilliant, because we don’t start with yama (moral codes), but asana. Asana will teach us among other things about ahimsa. If I am not going to have day off now, I will be violent against myself. So even when I don’t do my physical practice today, I am actually practicing. First I have to learn to be non-violent against myself and later I might learn not to be violent against other people (this includes nasty thoughts). But it’s so difficult to be without asana practice…
I continued reading Guruji book and John Scott (p. 356) talks in it about the people, who are attracted by ashtanga yoga. He says: ”It [ashtanga yoga] definitely attracts people who have a very obsessive nature or an addictive nature. I think that the practice can be very addictive, which is clever.”…”Now when you start working with the addiction of yoga, the not doing yoga is a yoga in itself.”… ”…, the system is always testing you. So I think that these are some of the reasons why Pattabhi Jois puts in the full and dark moon to give us the opportunity to not practice. So the people with obsessive natures are also challenged within the practice to let go of the practice.”
So today’s plan is to rest, drink water, eat properly, take good care of myself and build up my energy for Sunday’s asana practice. You can see that it’s still too challenging for me live only in this moment and not think about Sunday already… Maybe, one day, I will learn.
27 Oct 2010
My 16th Practice
Good sleep! Perfect, because I knew that after good night, my practice would be stronger and so it was. Nice energy today and great spot, too. The only confusing thing was that the unreal guy was again in front of me. This is like a test for me, how well I can concentrate, when there is something really interesting under my eyes. Today I was more focused, but I have to admit, that I couldn’t keep my eyes out of him all the time.
Today was my best practice during this week. Even Marichyasana D on the left side went better than before this week. I really hoped, that Sharath would have assisted me with Supta Kurma, but someone else came. I can’t close my hands alone, but with Sharath I can. This assistant today didn’t try properly to close my hands, she only said: ”Not possible.” Well, the thing is that it’s possible, when my legs are in right position. Today, my legs weren’t properly done, so I felt pain in my collarbone. I have heard, that Supta Kurma is very difficult asana to assist, but I still prefer assistants who say: ”Yes, you can. ” instead of ”No, you can’t.” Yes, one day I can, maybe not tomorrow, but one day I will close my hands alone for sure.
Sharath told me to go in front of the Shala, up to the stand, to do my finishing poses. I have been afraid of that since I came here. I mean, I don’t like to be in front of all people and on the stand you are even higher than other students. I started immediately think, what if I come over in Sirsasana and fall over the person, who is facing me. Or what if in Halasana there’s no floor, but only the stairs behind me. Yes. I start to think really crazy things, when I have to be in front of people. But actually I almoust liked to be there after I got over my first thoughts. The window was open, so I got fresh air and it was easier to breathe. Sirsasana was very still and Urdva Dhanurasana again very strong. Today I got one step forward, because I don’t have to be afraid of the stand anymore.
Today was my best practice during this week. Even Marichyasana D on the left side went better than before this week. I really hoped, that Sharath would have assisted me with Supta Kurma, but someone else came. I can’t close my hands alone, but with Sharath I can. This assistant today didn’t try properly to close my hands, she only said: ”Not possible.” Well, the thing is that it’s possible, when my legs are in right position. Today, my legs weren’t properly done, so I felt pain in my collarbone. I have heard, that Supta Kurma is very difficult asana to assist, but I still prefer assistants who say: ”Yes, you can. ” instead of ”No, you can’t.” Yes, one day I can, maybe not tomorrow, but one day I will close my hands alone for sure.
Sharath told me to go in front of the Shala, up to the stand, to do my finishing poses. I have been afraid of that since I came here. I mean, I don’t like to be in front of all people and on the stand you are even higher than other students. I started immediately think, what if I come over in Sirsasana and fall over the person, who is facing me. Or what if in Halasana there’s no floor, but only the stairs behind me. Yes. I start to think really crazy things, when I have to be in front of people. But actually I almoust liked to be there after I got over my first thoughts. The window was open, so I got fresh air and it was easier to breathe. Sirsasana was very still and Urdva Dhanurasana again very strong. Today I got one step forward, because I don’t have to be afraid of the stand anymore.
My 15th Practice and Unreal People
Once again very restless sleep. I woke up in the middle of the night and was awake 1,5 hour. Finally I decided to eat and read, because I wasn’t sleepy at all. I woke up again a bit before my alarm rang, because dogs were barking so loudly. I think that somehow the moonday is affecting still, because many people said, that they haven’t slept well. I started to read Guruji A potrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois last night and I got so excited, that maybe that was one of the reasons, why my sleep just disappeared.
My spot in the Shala was good again, but in front of me practiced a guy, whose practice is the most amazing, which I have seen here, so I just couldn’t do my drishtis properly. That guy is just unreal. His practice is so in balance and his slim, but really strong figure does justice for each movement. I almoust hope that I don’t have to practice near him, because then my own practice will be a mess.
It was very hot and humid today inside the Shala. I don’t mind, if the Shala is quite hot, but humid air gives me really heavy feeling. Ok practice anyway, my back didn’t hurt and Urdva Dhanurasana was strong today. Sharath assisted me with Supta Kurma. I like his style to adjust a lot. He does everything so quickly, that I don’t have time to think too much. His touch is very light, almoust like he doesn’t even touch you. It has been really interesting to read Guruji book, because his students describe Guruji’s adjustments in a very similar way, how I feel about Sharath’s adjustments. Yes. India has brought me already all and much more, what I hoped for. Love, light and lightness really exist here.
What comes to other unreal people here, madam from my next door wanted to make some food for me today. I don’t even know her name, but she just heard from my Indian mother, that I don’t cook, so she decided to cook for me. Every day these people make me smile. Today is an important day for Lord Ganesha, which brings lucky and happiness and I have received plenty of those today. Namaste.
My spot in the Shala was good again, but in front of me practiced a guy, whose practice is the most amazing, which I have seen here, so I just couldn’t do my drishtis properly. That guy is just unreal. His practice is so in balance and his slim, but really strong figure does justice for each movement. I almoust hope that I don’t have to practice near him, because then my own practice will be a mess.
It was very hot and humid today inside the Shala. I don’t mind, if the Shala is quite hot, but humid air gives me really heavy feeling. Ok practice anyway, my back didn’t hurt and Urdva Dhanurasana was strong today. Sharath assisted me with Supta Kurma. I like his style to adjust a lot. He does everything so quickly, that I don’t have time to think too much. His touch is very light, almoust like he doesn’t even touch you. It has been really interesting to read Guruji book, because his students describe Guruji’s adjustments in a very similar way, how I feel about Sharath’s adjustments. Yes. India has brought me already all and much more, what I hoped for. Love, light and lightness really exist here.
What comes to other unreal people here, madam from my next door wanted to make some food for me today. I don’t even know her name, but she just heard from my Indian mother, that I don’t cook, so she decided to cook for me. Every day these people make me smile. Today is an important day for Lord Ganesha, which brings lucky and happiness and I have received plenty of those today. Namaste.
25 Oct 2010
My 14th Practice and Breakfast at Anu’s Cafe
Quite sticky morning again, but good feeling after practice anyway. Today I was in a corner and I felt that I was practicing in the shadows. Sometimes it’s really nice to be in the shadows, but today I felt that I could have used some energy from other people. It wasn’t cold in real, but when I started, I felt, that my body was cold and stiff.
Urhva Dhanurasana was very strong today, but otherwise practice was really basic. My Bhujapidasana is a bit lost here, I don’t know why, but I use to have a strong Bhujapidasana and now it’s very slipery and unbalanced. On the other hand, Supta Kurmasana is a way better here than at home. Sharath assisted me with Marichyasana D on the left side, but it’s still difficult to close. It’s very near, but out of reach anyway. But when I walked back home, I started to smile and thought that it doesn’t matter, that the practice today wasn’t the best one, I had really beautiful day in front of me anyway. Sun was shining and the morning was beautiful. And I heard that one girl, who had a very bad scooter accident here before, came up alone from Urhva Dhanurasana today first time after her accident and it was so cool thing that all the people talked about it the whole morning.
After the practice I had a quick shower and I went to Anu’s Cafe for Indian breakfast. The owners of Anu's Cafe organized this breakfast today exceptionally, because they were collecting money for one of their employee, whose sister is getting married and his family needs to save money to cover all wedding expenses. The place was packed with yogis and we all were really happy to have the possibility to taste different Indian dishes and help this employee at the same time. Food was so delicious and I got a change to try many new flavours and dishes.
The thing, what is really cool here, is that you meet new people all the time and they are really open and social. Like yesterday, I was walking along my home street and one guy waved at me. I didn’t know, who he was (I had seen him before inside the Shala), but I said hi anyway. After a moment, he drove after me by his scooter, stopped, introduced himself and asked, if I needed a lift. This morning I walked back home after the breakfast and one girl stopped me in front of Santosha, started to talk to me and asked, if I wanted to have a breakfast with her. You can only be on the good mood here, because people around you are so joyful and friendly!
Urhva Dhanurasana was very strong today, but otherwise practice was really basic. My Bhujapidasana is a bit lost here, I don’t know why, but I use to have a strong Bhujapidasana and now it’s very slipery and unbalanced. On the other hand, Supta Kurmasana is a way better here than at home. Sharath assisted me with Marichyasana D on the left side, but it’s still difficult to close. It’s very near, but out of reach anyway. But when I walked back home, I started to smile and thought that it doesn’t matter, that the practice today wasn’t the best one, I had really beautiful day in front of me anyway. Sun was shining and the morning was beautiful. And I heard that one girl, who had a very bad scooter accident here before, came up alone from Urhva Dhanurasana today first time after her accident and it was so cool thing that all the people talked about it the whole morning.
After the practice I had a quick shower and I went to Anu’s Cafe for Indian breakfast. The owners of Anu's Cafe organized this breakfast today exceptionally, because they were collecting money for one of their employee, whose sister is getting married and his family needs to save money to cover all wedding expenses. The place was packed with yogis and we all were really happy to have the possibility to taste different Indian dishes and help this employee at the same time. Food was so delicious and I got a change to try many new flavours and dishes.
The thing, what is really cool here, is that you meet new people all the time and they are really open and social. Like yesterday, I was walking along my home street and one guy waved at me. I didn’t know, who he was (I had seen him before inside the Shala), but I said hi anyway. After a moment, he drove after me by his scooter, stopped, introduced himself and asked, if I needed a lift. This morning I walked back home after the breakfast and one girl stopped me in front of Santosha, started to talk to me and asked, if I wanted to have a breakfast with her. You can only be on the good mood here, because people around you are so joyful and friendly!
Sharath’s Conference, Lake and Glow
I was so tired this afternoon, that I slep over one hour before the conference. I walked to the Shala with Ann and we were laughing, how wonderful it is to sleep during the day and not feel guilty or lazy, because you know, that other people are doing the same. Sometimes you need your beauty sleep and here you are free to sleep, when you like. Awesome!
The conference today was super. Sharath was talking about, how important the healthy body is for your mind. Healthy body brings you the stable mind. It’s important to balance your body and concentrate only to yourself during the practice. Then the asana also comes more meaningful. Unfortunately, it’s often so that a new asana brings you a new pain too, but after a while our bodies change and get used to the asana. Sometimes I feel that ashtanga is like building up a new body for yourself. You have to get rid off old bad habits and weaknesses and start from the scratch. Like Sharath said today, yoga is a lifelong study and experience. I also think that yoga is a lifechanging practice, at least it is and it has been that to me. It’s like opening your eyes and learning to watch more carefully.
Sharath was also pointing out, that first you have to be a student and then you might become a teacher. He said that he has been studying yoga many years, but he is no master and he has still so many things to learn. He also reminded us, how important practice is. He said as an example, that he wouldn’t change his one month’s practice for a million dollar. He is so smart and modest that man.
After the conference me, Maria and Kitty from Chigaco went to the ”Lake”. Lake is great! You can see there Indian ladies wearing sharis and trainers, when walking around the circle. We were really lucky today, because the evening was beautiful and sun was just coming down, when we walked around the Lake. It was very peaceful environment and we had an interesting conversation regarding questions, which the girls wanted to make for Sharath. Often you notice that people are thinking same (or otherwise really interesting) questions than you, so I hope that they will ask those questions later and I will hear the answers.
I think that it’s impossible to explain the magic of Mysore or the feelings here during my own practice or Sharath’s conferences. This is like being Alice in Wonderland or Spark in Mysore Magic World. My friend Matleena just arrived here from Finland and I had a quick talk with her after today’s conference. She said to me, that she had watched me during the conference and she said that I am just glowing. Yes. Mysore is very different, you can’t explained it, you have to feel it.
The conference today was super. Sharath was talking about, how important the healthy body is for your mind. Healthy body brings you the stable mind. It’s important to balance your body and concentrate only to yourself during the practice. Then the asana also comes more meaningful. Unfortunately, it’s often so that a new asana brings you a new pain too, but after a while our bodies change and get used to the asana. Sometimes I feel that ashtanga is like building up a new body for yourself. You have to get rid off old bad habits and weaknesses and start from the scratch. Like Sharath said today, yoga is a lifelong study and experience. I also think that yoga is a lifechanging practice, at least it is and it has been that to me. It’s like opening your eyes and learning to watch more carefully.
Sharath was also pointing out, that first you have to be a student and then you might become a teacher. He said that he has been studying yoga many years, but he is no master and he has still so many things to learn. He also reminded us, how important practice is. He said as an example, that he wouldn’t change his one month’s practice for a million dollar. He is so smart and modest that man.
After the conference me, Maria and Kitty from Chigaco went to the ”Lake”. Lake is great! You can see there Indian ladies wearing sharis and trainers, when walking around the circle. We were really lucky today, because the evening was beautiful and sun was just coming down, when we walked around the Lake. It was very peaceful environment and we had an interesting conversation regarding questions, which the girls wanted to make for Sharath. Often you notice that people are thinking same (or otherwise really interesting) questions than you, so I hope that they will ask those questions later and I will hear the answers.
I think that it’s impossible to explain the magic of Mysore or the feelings here during my own practice or Sharath’s conferences. This is like being Alice in Wonderland or Spark in Mysore Magic World. My friend Matleena just arrived here from Finland and I had a quick talk with her after today’s conference. She said to me, that she had watched me during the conference and she said that I am just glowing. Yes. Mysore is very different, you can’t explained it, you have to feel it.
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