Photo: Spooky Lightbulb by Dyanna
I don't write much about my actual yoga practice because I find it hard to articulate the experiences. The synergistic effect it has on me mentally and physically continues to keep me moving and my thoughts unfolding. Truthfully, it's hard to pin down where I think my practice is really at. Sometimes I have a light bulb moment and feel like I've had an enormous breakthrough but most of the time I am reflective and simply practice.
Last year, I started practicing with a teacher who was very aligned with the Ashtanga tradition. The classes were small so she paid particular attention to alignment and made constant adjustments throughout the class. Sadly she has since retired but I really miss her classes. I absolutely hated going to them because I was constantly pushed and would sweat buckets but I learned so much in such a short amount of time with her. I am still learning from her. The constant adjustments truly helped me learn more about my alignment and understand my limitations better.
In the classes I take now, when I am holding a pose like Utthita Parsvakonasana, I so vividly hear my previous teacher in the back of my mind gently telling me that she knows I can push further. She would have moved me deeper into the pose whilst I would start to tremble and sweat profusely to the point I would want to scream f*ck at the top of my voice. But of course, all the effort I would have put into the pose while she held me deep was not about to give any energy to a scream as well. In honour of and for the deep respect I have for her, I really do try to push myself further now and cherish the short time I was able to be her student. Teachers have come and gone throughout my practice over the years but I have learned from each and every one of them and continue to learn from them.
So this brings me to the classes I attend regularly now, more advanced Jivamukti classes. I truly enjoy attending these classes but they are not as hands on as experienced with my previous teacher. To be fair though the classes are a lot bigger and I believe I am probably at the stage where I need to help myself more. I am starting to understand that the discipline and effort really needs to start coming from me, not the teacher. I need to go deeper into the poses, I need to breathe deeper and focus. My current teacher always asks us to call her over when we are ready to take a pose to the next level. I have never done this but now it's time.
Through repetition the magic will be forced to rise
Last year, I started practicing with a teacher who was very aligned with the Ashtanga tradition. The classes were small so she paid particular attention to alignment and made constant adjustments throughout the class. Sadly she has since retired but I really miss her classes. I absolutely hated going to them because I was constantly pushed and would sweat buckets but I learned so much in such a short amount of time with her. I am still learning from her. The constant adjustments truly helped me learn more about my alignment and understand my limitations better.
In the classes I take now, when I am holding a pose like Utthita Parsvakonasana, I so vividly hear my previous teacher in the back of my mind gently telling me that she knows I can push further. She would have moved me deeper into the pose whilst I would start to tremble and sweat profusely to the point I would want to scream f*ck at the top of my voice. But of course, all the effort I would have put into the pose while she held me deep was not about to give any energy to a scream as well. In honour of and for the deep respect I have for her, I really do try to push myself further now and cherish the short time I was able to be her student. Teachers have come and gone throughout my practice over the years but I have learned from each and every one of them and continue to learn from them.
So this brings me to the classes I attend regularly now, more advanced Jivamukti classes. I truly enjoy attending these classes but they are not as hands on as experienced with my previous teacher. To be fair though the classes are a lot bigger and I believe I am probably at the stage where I need to help myself more. I am starting to understand that the discipline and effort really needs to start coming from me, not the teacher. I need to go deeper into the poses, I need to breathe deeper and focus. My current teacher always asks us to call her over when we are ready to take a pose to the next level. I have never done this but now it's time.
Through repetition the magic will be forced to rise
~ Alchemical Precept
5 comments:
Personal practice is so hard to articulate.
I know it's expensive and you are pretty time limited but you may well be at the stage where a few one-to-one sessions may really really help you push that next barrier?
Beautiful post darling, thanks for sharing x
Rachel, can you come to Sydney or better yet, can I magically fly to you!? :-)
I've actually been seriously considering getting private lessons for quite a while now and the week I was about to ask this particular teacher, she retired. I was a bit gutted. I know another teacher will come along. I'd really like to go down the ashtanga path for private lessons as well. We'll see.
I love reading your yoga posts Mary. Please do keep them up when you are able. They are so inspirational!!
Aww, thanks yublocka hon and I hope to go on one of those fabulous rides you post about! I need more courage to get on my bike first. It'll happen. Somehow travelling makes me forget about my fears so I am definitely planning to come down to Melbs in September :-)
Yay :)
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