This is the last night of the workshop. As always, I feel like I’m taking a lot back with me – things I may not even be aware of yet, but that will manifest themselves in my practice, my studies and in my life.
Something I really like about classes at RIMYI is that they aren’t so much about learning asanas, but about the wisdom woven into the teachings. Students often ask
How do I practice?
How do I know I’m doing it right?
How do I sequence?
There’s a pigeon who has laid eggs outside the window of my bathroom. Every time I open the door of the bathroom, no matter how quietly, she gets disturbed. I feel bad, acutely. When I was shown into this room Dheeraj told me they noticed the eggs for the first time when they came back from Diwali break, and they didn’t have the heart to push them out. Every time the pigeon flutters in alarm and walks away from her eggs I feel an ache in my heart. I know how the pigeon feels. I don’t want to be responsible for its fear, I want it to know her eggs are safe.
In 2019, on my last trip to the Iyengar Yoga institute in Pune, I would have never thought it would take me 6 years to come back to the Iyengar institute in Pune. Over the years many visitors I was in touch with have told me about the changes – there’s a new entrance, even a waiting area. The old order (Pandurang Sir), has given way to the new.
A pandemic and a baby later, here I am, back in Pune’s verdant climes awaiting the commencement of the weekend workshop at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in Pune.
Most of my practice is accessible now. I miss taking yoga photos everywhere I go and am consciously trying to do it again. It used to be fun.
It was Ratha Saptami today, the day when yoga students and teachers honor the Sun god with (usually) 108 repetitions of the Surya Namaskar. Lately my days have been a balancing act between motherhood duties (in the absence of a permanent nanny), work and a workout (perhaps a workin is in order). However, I managed to put together a program to pay homage to the Sun God in the hopes that he continues to shine his benevolent light on us.
After the session, I was scheduled to attend my regular RIMYI class. The Tuesday morning class was the only one that fit into my schedule. TBH, I’m not too thrilled about it. I’ve attended the teacher’s classes before, and have never been able to connect with her. But I didn’t really have much of a choice so every Tuesday I find myself using every ounce of discipline I’ve cultivated over the years just to make it to savasana. Today it was different though, today that boring yoga class was one I didn’t know I needed.
At the beautiful temples of Belur & Halebidu.
The philosophy of yoga and Vedanta sometimes intersect, and I love spotting this overlap in different classes.
During the last RIMYI class I took, Raya spoke about letting go. When we talk about letting go of something, there is an assumption that you’re holding on to something. It’s important to analyse this something. How are you holding on to it? Why are you holding on to it? Once we analyse it, can we let it go?
To make it relevant to the asana practice Raya asked us to ask ourselves what we were feeling in the asana we were holding (Uttanasana). What were we truly feeling? Were we feeling our hamstrings hurting, or was the back hurting, or were we holding the abdomen too tight? When you can identify what you are holding – you can begin to let it go. “I let go of my back, I let go of my abdomen, I let go of….” He asked us to do the same in Sirsasana, but focus on mental conditions/conditionings. He asked: Can letting go be voluntary? Can we actively let go?
He gave us the example of how he came across a ratty old t-shirt when he was cleaning his cupboard. Everyone tells you to let go of this old tee that you don’t even use anymore, but you can’t. We need to understand that it’s not the object that we can’t let go – it’s the memories associated with it that we’re unable to let go.
What are we actually holding on to? Can we analyse that similar to how we analysed Uttansana? Mentioning yoga sutra 1.11 he asked us to ponder over what is the role of memory and cleansing the memory. Can we actively identify and do something about? Letting go of an old t-shirt is easier than letting go of memories. Memories can be good, troublesome, traumatic, ecstatic. How do we deal with this baggage of memories and how does it impact us? Can we let go of attachment to the memory? Can we actively let go of sad memories? Going into parsva sirsasana he asked us to contemplate looking at the memory from a different angle.
अनुभूतविषयासंप्रमोषः स्मृतिः PYS 1.11
Memory is the unmodified recollection of words and experiences.
He spoke about two sutras that he would frequently speak to Guruji about:
सुखानुशयी रागः PYS 2.7
Pleasure leads to desire and emotional attachment.
दुःखानुशयी द्वेषः PYS 2.8
Unhappiness leads to hatred.
A person with a sense of discrimination should strive a balance between sukha and dukha instead of living a the mercy of these two. There are so many triggers in life today – we are all used to certain manners, ways and customs. But can we let go of getting triggered? Raya told us that us to actively open our drawers and pull things out and look at everything that comes out and ask ourselves if we are using it. Have we been keeping certain memories in the cupboard, maybe even in the freezer. And even in the freezer have they become rotten and started stinking? Can we actively bring these memories out, clean them up and throw them away?
How do we throw these memories away? By turning it from klista to aklista.
वृत्तयः पञ्चतय्यः क्लिष्टाक्लिष्टाः PYS 1.5
The movement of consciousness are fivefold. They may be cognizable or non-cognizable, painful (klista) or non-painful (aklista).
The fact that it happened remains, but the feeling associated with it goes. Raya also stressed that we all want happiness, but we remember the sad things more – happiness has a shorter shelf life. Happiness is like camphor or mercury – you can’t hold it, it evaporates.
Next in Sarvangasana, Raya asked us to finally consider what we can let of of intellectually. He spoke of fear and how we’re all fearful of something. But some are able to face their fear because they have practiced handling this fear. Practice analysing your fears and insecurities – once analysed can we let them go? After giving daanam in a temple, we pour water over our hands symbolically ‘washing away’ our attachment with what we’ve given. We need to let go of claiming things – ‘I’ did this, ‘I’ own this etc. The most difficult thing is to let go of this claim. After letting go of these claims, can I let go of the ‘I’ itself?
When one moves from the grossest to the subtlest, neither the beginning is seen nor the end.
My Vedanta teacher always stresses the importance of balance in life. It is important for us to seek pleasure, but also to accept that pleasure and pain come together. As seekers we are encouraged to go after our dreams and desires, but we need to remember that the result of our pursuit depends on many factors. Therefore, we can’t be swayed by victory or defeat, sukham or dukham. We should pursue life according to dharma, and with the best of our physical, emotional and intellectual intent. And surrender the results, fruits, fear and even happiness to a higher purpose.
What is left to surrender when I have surrendered everything?
My teacher explained the idea of surrender using verse 18.66 of the Bhagawad Gita.
सर्वधर्मान्परित्यज्य मामेकं शरणं व्रज |
अहं त्वां सर्वपापेभ्यो मोक्षयिष्यामि मा शुच: ||
In this shloka Lord Krishna is asking Arjuna for the ultimate surrender – the surrender of the ‘I’ or the ego. Letting go of the ‘I’ in all the claims that I make. Once I have surrendered everything, I surrender the ‘I’ too. And in that way I merge with the One, the universal consciousness.
At the Blue Temple, Chiang Rai.
Practicing new stuff I’ve learned during the pandemic.
As I write this I’m in Delhi for Diwali celebrations. I’ve taken a week off from teaching. Markets are a buzz, there are Diwali parties happening, many aren’t wearing any masks. Europe is getting ready for the second lockdown. We read about promises of vaccines, but nothing concrete. Before travelling to Delhi I decided to get the Covid Antibody test done, and found that I’m positive for the antibodies. I’ve been exposed to this virus, but thankfully, never noticed. What’s more, I’m immune to it for some time.
This raises a larger, more ethical question for yoga teachers. When is it a good idea to go back to in-person teaching again? One healthy asymptomatic teacher can pass on the virus to a multitude of vulnerable students.
I’ve been teaching students online for many years now, but this pandemic made that the norm. For those of us who’ve been able to adopt this ‘new normal’, it’s been gratifying in so many ways.
Thanks to the pandemic, I’ve been able to focus more on the art and craft of yoga and that’s why classes have become more engaging and fun. This may just be how I teach going forward.
A few weeks ago I wrote about what I love about online yoga in this blog.
Recordings of my online classes are now up on my YouTube channel. To get a glimpse of these classes click here.
Props galore at an informal practice session at Amrutha Bindu Yoga.
After watching my yoga class recordings on YouTube, many have reached out to me about yoga props. Whether they are required, what kind, which ones should one get? Most of my students did not have props before they joined my classes, in fact, most of them bought props once our classes went online. I guess most of them saw the usefulness of buying props and have seen a noticeable improvement in their practice. I’ve built my collection of props over the years and sourced them from many different places. My students and I have also been trying different props and brands for years and now know what works and what is likely not to work.
This is the prop we use the most, no wonder so many people ask me about it. I use several mats. The oldest and dearest one is by Reebok and I’ve had it forever, so I think it’s out of production. In addition to this I use a cloth mats. I have one from my teacher training days at SVYASA, and another beautiful mat from Deivee. The yoga mat I would personally recommend is this one from Decathlon. It sells out fast and I personally know many people who use and love it. Plus Decathlon always seems to have them in stock.
Blocks/bricks are very versatile, and come in many varieties. I started out with foam blocks from Decathlon, and then eventually expanded my collection to include wooden blocks. I recommend getting blocks in different sizes because there are so many creative ways you can use them. I know many people who use these cork blocks and are very happy with them. You can also check out SVECH for some more cork blocks.
Use a belt to improve Gomukhasana.
Many years ago I told a student that the one prop I would recommend always keeping with you (including when you travel), is the yoga belt. It can help you lengthen, twist, bind, bend forward, bend back…and much more. To ensure your skin doesn’t chaff, your yoga belt should be made of cotton. Another thing to ensure is that the buckles are strong to hold the belt securely in place.
I recommend the yoga belt from MeFree.
Everyone wants the chair and it’s the most difficult prop to come find! The chair can be used in almost every yoga pose. When students first start practice with me, I tell them to use any chair which is stable, has a straight back and no armrests. But eventually you should get the metal chairs. There are certain characteristics of the chair that make them apt for yogasanas – they have legs that you can hold for pinchamayurasanas, you can invert yourself safely in halasana and sarvangasana, you can even use two chairs and do a safe headstand!
Amazon doesn’t have enough variety when it comes to yoga chairs, and it’s always tricky to find a good yoga chair. I found this one by the Friends of Meditation, and one of my students actually uses it. I would suggest this yoga chair by MeFree too, since some of my students have bought their products and are very happy with them.
You can explore more yoga props at SVECH and MeFree
When the lock down started many of my students wanted to buy props. But they were either sold out or companies weren’t delivering. I contacted Mr. Raju here in Bangalore and he was kind enough to supply the props to us. You can contact him on +91 9242286651. I believe he ships to different parts of India too.
If you have any more questions about props, do reach out to me.
In the last two weeks I’ve had two requests for a restorative class. Seems like an interest in restorative asanas is building up. In view of the times we are living in, I’m not entirely surprised by the request. However, I do feel that the requests were fueled more by the idea that restorative postures are for when you’re unable to do your regular workout, instead of a useful addition to the routine.
It’s a common mistake to equate ‘restorative’ yoga with ‘too easy for me’ yoga. Many people consider restorative yoga classes to be ‘slow’, ‘easy’ and ‘for the old and injured’.
It is incorrect to think that a restorative yoga class is an easy yoga class that is somehow less than a vigorous sweat sesh.
Restorative asanas ‘restore’ your body. Restore it’s energy, vitality and good health. Classes are slower, with longer holds for asanas. Students are encouraged to use props and to always rest the forehead. When you rest the forehead, your nervous system immediately relaxes. In fact, I’ve taken my students through an entire class designed to show the difference between supported and unsupported asanas. Watch it here.
The asanas in a restorative class are a subset of the ones in your regular yoga class. But these are asanas focused more on forward bending and gentle twists and backbends (all with the support of props). Below are examples of a few asanas that you may encounter in a restorative class.
Supta Badhakonasana. I love beginning a restorative class with this posture.
A restful janu sirsasana. Restorative asanas focus on relaxing the mind, by resting the head.
Dwi pada viparita dandasana. This posture is very intense, but this variation can be done even while you’re menstruating (as I was when this picture was taken).
A supported sarvangasana – a posture that should be done daily, but is not accessible to all. The props make it easier and more restful.
What’s interesting is that though a restorative class is slower than other forms of yoga, it doesn’t mean that a flexible and bendy practitioner who is ‘good’ at yoga will be ‘good’ at restorative yoga too. In fact, I’ve seen very flexible and seemingly energetic students find it difficult to ‘rest’ and ‘do nothing’. After all, in such a busy and complicated life, stillness is elusive and to sit and simmer with it all is more elusive still.
Have you ever practiced restorative asanas? Do you find value in adding an element of restorative yoga to your existing yoga/fitness routine?
In Lodhi Gardens, Delhi pre Covid 19. pc Devashish Sharma
The Covid 19 has driven us all indoors, and our yoga online. A few weeks into the lock down, my entire teaching schedule shifted online.
After a few weeks yoga teachers across the world realized that this may very well be the future of yoga. Many senior teachers offering online classes & workshops. With considerably more time at hand, I started attending some of these online yoga classes. I even downloaded a few courses and the accompanying reading list.
As more and more yoga studios went virtual, Savitri from Saktiisha Yoga connected with me and soon I was on their virtual schedule. I started inviting guest teachers to my class too. So far we’ve had amazing yoga sessions with Medha Bhaskar and Susanne Mayer and look forward to many more. I wish we’d discovered online yoga earlier!
Have you jumped on to the online yoga bandwagon yet?