Carrying on with tradition...

This morning we received word that our beloved Guruji passed away. He would have been 94 years old this year, so certainly he has lived a full and wonderful life. Today, as I received word of his passing, I am so very grateful that I took the time to see him last year.

To Guruji...
I promise to carry on the ashtanga yoga lineage as you introduced it to us. I promise to honor the ways of your teachings to the best of my abilities. I promise to continue my path in this yoga, to show up on my mat, to present this yoga in a manner that will continue to honor you.

I will be forever grateful for this practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. I have been altered by this practice and touched by the man who gave it to the world.

Peace Guruji!

find the middle path

Even in Ashtanga we must follow the middle path. Not to hard, not to soft.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KwqxZiM9y4

Beautiful graphic art yoga

Stumbled across this artist while looking through ashtanga poses images on google. She is very unique and has beautiful talent.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/gosiajanik/sets/72157607323430449/detail/

"Ashtanga during pregnancy"

Here's that article I was referring to when we talked about prenatal yoga. Amazing, simply amazing.


http://ashtanganews.com/2006/06/06/ashtanga-during-pregnancy-one-ashtangis-experience/

Sanskrit and Chanting

Hello!

We covered a lot of material this weekend, most notably the Sanskrit counting and chants. I will post much more here in the next few days as a back up to everything we did in training this weekend but wanted to kick it off with the following link to the Gyatri Mantra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW8IjcOWtlI&feature=PlayList&p=4EC85A945242AE0B&index=11

॥ ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः तत् सवितुर्वरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहिधियो यो नः प्रचोदयात् ॥
In IAST
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
(a) tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
(b) bhargo devasya dhīmahi
(c) dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt
In IAST Long Form
oṃ bhūr oṃ bhuvaḥ oṃ svaḥ oṃ maḥ oṃ janaḥ oṃ tapaḥ oṃ sat yaṃ
(a) oṃ tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
(b) bhargo devasya dhīmahi
(c) dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt

And this from the SwamiJ website:
Gayatri Mantra(Gayatri Audio CD)
Gayatri Mantra (GUY-ah-tree) is one of the most known and beneficial of the ancient Sanskrit mantras. Gayatri is a mantra of physical, emotional, and mental healing, purifying the subtle karmas, protection from the onslaught of obstacles, and of spiritual awakening or Self-realization.
The handwritten mantra below and the audio sound sample are by my dear friend, Swami Nardanand.
Aum Bhur Bhuva Svah Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat
On the absolute reality and its planes,On that finest spiritual light,We meditate, as remover of obstaclesThat it may inspire and enlighten us.

Click here to listen to 108 repetitions by Swami Nardanand.
Audio Podcast: The Secret of Shiva and Shakti in the Three Worlds
------------------------------
AUM/OM: Absolute reality. That which encompasses the three states of waking, dreaming, deep sleep, represented by AUM, the three levels of gross, subtle, causal, the three levels of conscious, unconscious, subconscious, and the three universal processes of coming, being, and going. Absolute silence beyond the three levels is the silence after AUM.
Bhur: Physical realm or plane; earth.
Bhuva: The subtle or astral plane.
Svah: The higher, celestial plane.
------------------------------
Tat: That, the essential essence.
Savitur: Bright, luminous, sun-like, inner power of spiritual light, which brings one to Self-realization.
Varenyam: Finest, best, choicest, fit to be sought.
------------------------------
Bhargo: Destroyer of obstacles. Effulgence
Devasya: Divine, resplendent, shining
Dhimahi: We meditate.
------------------------------
Dhiyo: Our being of intelligence, intellect, understanding, mind/heart
Yo: Who, which
Naha: Our
Prachodayat: May enlighten, direct, inspire, guide, impel.

This is a lot of information on one chant...enjoy! Now you can chant along AND know what you are saying! I really enjoyed class this weekend! Thanks for being such great students!

Peace,
Linda

Sharath 2009 Tour

As you all know, I traveled to Islamorada to take two classes with Sharath! (http://www.rsharath.com/) I did not come here with huge expectations... only a little yoga and a lot of R&R! What I got was some awesome yoga and a little r&r. After class he spoke briefly about how all of this is possible because of his grandfather and that the yoga does not belong to one person, but to everyone. I got several adjustments, which were quite nice.

A little inspiration goes a long way and I was definitely inspired this weekend!

I hope you all enjoyed your Real Life Ready portion of the teacher training. I understand Theresa gave you a lot of information. :-)

Linda

Philosophy - Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

There are four chapters or padas in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, they are:

1. Concentration (Samadhi Pada)
2. Practice (Sadhana Pada)
3. Experience (Vibhuti Pada)
4. Absolute Freedom (Kaivalya Pada)

In the last post I asked that you start reading the second Pada, this is because I believe that it is a nice place to start studying. I still want you to take a look at this Pada, however I will start posting sutras from the first Pada with explanation and discussion, one at a time...one each day. So, check in here daily to read the sutra and respond or ask questions accordingly.

1.1 Now then authoritative instruction of yoga. (atha yoga anushasanam)

atha = now then
yoga = union or bringing together; contemplation or absorption
anusasanam = teaching