I really enjoyed this post from donutszenmom: http://donutszenmom.wordpress.com/2007/01/18/rant/
Lately, in my work life, I’ve been thinking about why folks are so afraid of failure. And, conversely, why I’m not so concerned about failure. Is it me? Am I a slacker to think failure’s okay?
At practice this morning, I realized I’ve always failed. Practicing taekwondo, climbing, running, even lifting weights — the rule is: go to failure. Same deal with Ashtanga. And zazen.
… [taekwondo, climbing, zazen] …
And all of this, of course, brings us to Ashtanga. Ashtanga is designed to bring you face to face with what you can’t do, every single day. Even if you have an exquisite practice, you will, every day, end with a pose you just can’t do. Is that failure? Yeah, it is. And it’s exactly where you learn about acceptance and patience and humor and despair and ambition and greed and humiliation and grace.
I’m so tired of fear of failure. Fear of failure is all about letting the ego think it’s better than reality. Reality is where clumsiness is, and gravity, and obsessive thoughts, and resistant muscle and bone. It’s where we’re human.
For those of you who ever spend time in San Francisco and are looking for somewhere to practice in the city, just wanted to mention the new Mysore class at Mission Yoga. The class is taught by Devorah Sachs (previously with Open Door Yoga) and Chad Herst (an authorized teacher who has lived in India for the past 3 years). The class runs 6 days a week (7am to 9am M-F, 10:30am Sunday). I went to the Sunday Mysore class with Devorah and the Monday one with Chad and both were really generous and knowledgable teachers (e.g. Chad had great tips on jump backs and other aspects of my practice). Another option in San Francisco is of course just a few blocks away at Clayton Horton’s Mysore class at Yoga Tree in the Mission, which runs M-F from 6:45am. I have attended Clayton’s class in the past and he is also a superb Mysore teacher, so there is a wealth to chose from in the city.
In an earlier (and now deleted) post I announced the Moon Day to be on Thursday - the Moon Day will actually take place on Friday Jan 19 and be replaced by a Sutra Discussion from 6:30 to 7:30.
Thursday Jan 18 will be a normal Mysore-Style class.
We’re still working on finalizing the Moon Day calendar for 2007.
Hello all,
We are going to be out of town this Tuesday and Wednesday (16th + 17th). Phillippe and Dave will teach the morning mysore on those days.
We’ll see you back on Thursday.
Heleen & Adarsh
I want to thank those of you who attented the “Introduction” class on Saturday and my gratitude for the ongoing dedication that so many of you embody by showing up for your practice every morning. I promised to publish these “Milestones” so you may have a guideline for learning Ashtanga in the Mysore Style.
When beginning any journey it is helpful to know where you are heading and be able to observe landmarks along the way. This way we know we are on the right track. The practice of Ashtanga Yoga is a journey like this.
1. Surya Namaskar A The first “milestone” we encounter is learning the sun salutation. This establishes the rhythm in which the whole of Ashtanga is based.
2. Surya Namaskar B
3. Six Essential Standing Postures: Padangushtasana, Padahastasana, Trikonasana A,B, Parshvakonasana A,B, Prasaritta Padottanasana A-D, Parshvottanasa
4. Virabhadrasana: Finishing the standing series through the “warrior sequence” is a key point in learning. Initially the vinyasa sequencing is confusing but by the time we complete the Standing Postures there is a good understanding of how the breath should flow in the practice session. The ujjayi breath (breathing with sound), bandhas (core actions) and drishti (gazing) points become familiar and the student is prepared for the more challenging Seated Postures.
5. Paschimottanasana (back stretch) and Purvottanasana (front stretch) with vinyasa including lolasana (jump back/through). The core actions of Surya Namaskar (upward and downward facing dog poses) are inserted between each seated posture. These will help to “clean the slate” between postures as well as keep the heart rate up.
6. Marichyasana A,B,C,D. Here we reach a place to slow down and enjoy the journey. The articulations of hip and knee will provide many students with enough to tend to for years to come.
The Half Primary Series comprises the practice of Surya Namaskar, standing series, and seated series through Navasana (boat pose). This is a common stopping place for many along the way. It takes time to work out many of the nuances of the preceding postures. We are at our best when we can enjoy making it this far and slowly refine the series we have completed thus far.
7. Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana
8. Baddha Konasana. One of the most beneficial postures found, however this position requires a refined action of mula bandha to perform safely.
9. Backbends. Sometimes these are introduced before completing the Full Primary Series. Drop Backs and Assisted Back Bending are gradually introduced after completing the Primary Series.
The Full Primary Series comprises the half primary with the addition of Bhujapidasana (arm pressure pose) through Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose).
10. Finishing Series: Shoulderstand, Headstand and Lotus cycles.
How long will it take to learn the full series? It can take years to learn the Full Primary Series. The length of time required to learn the Primary Series will depend on the dedication and aptitude of the student.
With regularity, dedication, and proficiency in practice, the standing postures, finishing series and seated series will be learned. Over time postures will be added to the series requiring longer practice sessions. 1.5 hours is a typical time frame for the full primary series.
Students new to Mysore class will typically begin learning sun salutations and finish with the corpse pose. The first Sun Salutation takes about a week to gain moderate proficiency. What I mean by moderate is that the basic flow of postures and breath is memorized, but it may take years before the internal practice of bandhas and concentration is grasped.
-Adarsh