ASTHANGA MYSORE WORKSHOP

YOGA WORKSHOP



http://www.theyogicflower.com.au/yogatherapy2.htm

Just a few words on a lovely workshop with Peter Sanson - one of New Zealand's foremost teachers of Ashtanga Yoga - who is visiting Wellington at the moment. I find workshops are always a great opportunity to re-fresh the yoga practice.

I am very fortunate to practise with Mike Berghan who has studied with Pattabhi Jois so many times and he clearly carries Guruji’s blessings. So i have a regular good yoga practice with great support and inspiration. But I think a workshop naturally gives a little boost to the routine- even if it is just the room filled with steamy bodies, mat next to mat, the continuous tidal rhythm of the ujaii breath carried along by all the different practitioners. It is different to practising with mostly the same ‘morning crew’ that gathers at the shala at around 6am and has notably thinned out by 8am when I finish my practice.

Now the shala is gleams with yogis and yoginis and there is an ongoing flow of surya namaskar from beginning to end of my two hours. I have never seen many of the faces before-  it is interesting how a visiting expert teacher always attracts new people – and some that I haven’t seen since Peter’s last visit. It makes it easier to get up at dawn and walk up to cuba half asleep launching into this challenging yoga sequence. (Of course I am glad it is not always this packed- I think the ‘excitement’ state would wear out after some time, especially when it comes to adjustments it is a privilege to be a small number and get so much attention).

But I must say that Peter is very expert in how he handles the great number of students. I feel that the last two poses that I was given recently are coming along very well with his assistance. In fact, before Peter’s classes I was struggling with Supta Vajrasana quite a bit. I just could not cross my elbows behind my back. Although I can manage to grab my toes nonetheless, if you can’t get this intense crossing at the back you won’t be able to hold on to your toes while folding back.

With all the work I gave the pose I started to strain my left shoulder and it hurt quite a bit. But with Peter now, the pose is coming along really well and I am very happy!

I feel with great teachers it is often one touch or two that opens up space in the body and makes things possible that you might have been struggling for a long time. Also with Kapotasana I feel much more comfortable now. With Peter’s or Mike’s help I can reach the heels and then hold the pose on my own.

So as much as sometimes it is nice to retrieve back into self-practice, the inspiration and assistance of a teacher are vital in progressing. I feel sometimes I get stuck with the idea that certain asana are impossible- the famous ‘I will NEVER be able to do this!!!’ and all it needs is the gentle touch of a teacher to remind you that it is not completely out of reach!

Om Shanti shanti shanti

Julia