Futsal And Yoga?

Was wondering whether to get up early this morning. So far, I've had a led class on Sunday and did self practice on Monday and Tuesday. That's three days in a row! So, I decided to give this 41 year old body a rest. Besides, I have futsal planned for this evening.

Ya ya I know - playing futsal makes my hamstrings tight and slow down my progress in flexibility. Still, playing football was my first love. And first love is hard to let go. It's a different kind of love to yoga. I don't think the spirit of ahimsa is quite there when playing football.

I do think yoga and football can complement each other. I know of footballers who were state players going through meditation program and they reported an improved focus and performance during their matches. If only I knew this during my school days ...

I like to think playing football does have its benefits in yoga. Maybe it helps with the breathing?

Whatever. Football is fun and we can all use a bit of that.

Last Practice in Mysore - 13 Sept

Today is my last day in Mysore and I had a great led class with Saraswathi. Practice was good - my ribs did not bother me too much. Because it was a led class, I didn't focus on slow breathes, instead I focused on Saraswathi's count. Well, thank goodness, her count was not slow or I would have passed out in Uth Pluthi.

It's has been special coming here to practice. At the same time, I'm looking forward to heading back to Malaysia, and taking back a bit of Mysore with me.

Practice - 12 Sept

Today, when I started, I did not expect anything but just focused on deep breaths and extending my ribs. Somehow or other, when I got to the sitting asanas, I felt much more energy than yesterday, and the ribs did not bother me too much. When it came to Marichyasana D on the right side, I got more of my fingers to interlocked and Saraswathi could even let go of me! Wow, when I least expect it. The left side was also better - I could get the right elbow round the left knee. Saraswathi even asked me to try it again. Still could not touch the fingers - but much improvement from yesterday! Celebrated afterwards with breakfast at Santosha.

One more practice, which is a led class tomorrow. Then it's back to Malaysia. I had an absolutely great time and experience here. But I feel ready and looking forward to going back to Malaysia. Hopefully, I'll bring home new and productive habits when I get back ...

Practice - 11 Sept

Whoops - I think I tried too hard on Monday. The tiny muscle pull I felt in my ribs when I tried binding in Marichyasana D on the right side has increased. So today's practice was a bit more cautious and less deep. Still, I felt good as I concentrated more on breathing deeper.

The rest of the day was spent shopping at Sudha's and Rashinkar's, which are close to the shala. They sell great cotton rugs to put over the mats and some nice gifts to take home. Now the mindset has switched to going back on Saturday - which meant shopping for loved ones at home.

Practice - 10 Sept

I'm getting so comfortable practicing in the shala, that after my headstand, while I was in child's pose, I was thinking of having a Dosa for breakfast. Of course I tried to eliminate the thought. But once it's in, it stayed with me during padmasana and savasana. Needless to say, after practice, I went to the Green Leaf for Dosa.

Got my fingers to lock in Marichyasana D on the left side, of course with Saraswathi's help. We were quite pleased with the right side as she said, "Maybe tomorrow it will bind". Fingers crossed ...

Practice - 9 Sept

Today as Saraswathi was helping me bind in Marichyasana D on the left side, she remarked "So close. Let's try again". I was so impressed with her efforts that I gave it extra effort. This time, instead of just fingertips touching (ET style), the fingertips can actually pressed and locked against each other. Thank goodness cameras are not allowed in the shala - my expression during the asana would qualify for face contortionist of the year.

The right side is still long way off but the right side of the body has more movement and Saraswathi was pleased. Slowly, slowly - it's coming!

A Monday Practice - 8 Sept

Slowly, I'm feeling more comfortable in practicing in this famous shala. I'm spending more time looking at my dristis, than at pictures that are hung around the shala. Today I could not touched my fingers in Marichyasana D on the left side. Well, it's Monday after all. However, when it came to the right side, I was surprised to get more movement from right shoulder to the left knee. It's still a long way off from binding, but it warranted a "very good on this side today" from Saraswathi. That will do for me :)

Sharath's Conference - 7 Sept

Every Sunday, Sharath has a conference in the shala, where he would sit on the stage in front of the students and give a talk or discuss yoga matters.

It's quite amazing to see all the students (and so many!) literally sit straighter as soon as he walks onto the stage. He came across as very confident and speaks in such a way that he held his audience captive; partly I suspect because he spoke so sincerely.

Today, he talked about choosing the right guru and being committed to a practice. Someone asked whether other types of yoga also lead to the same destination. Sharath's reply was that yoga done with spiritual intent would lead to the right path.

He also touched on Niyama and elaborated a little on diet. As someone who loves food, I kept my head down. Now and then, he would make light jokes. But his messages were quite clear - to follow the path of yoga requires studies or research, commitment, following the right guru, always reflecting on the practice and discipline.

Yikes! I guessed I'm still quite far away. Although he did say, even if one don't get there in this lifetime, there are other lifetimes to catch up. Well, that's something to build on ...

Friday Practice - 5 Sept

Today, as I reached the shala just before 8am, I could hear Sharath's voice counting. Sharath was conducting a led class, where he would lead the students through the primary series and count the number of breaths one should take in a particular pose.
When it came to Uth Pluthi, where you lift up with your hands while in lotus, Sharath counted one and stopped counting for a good 30 seconds before he called out "two". Those of us who were watching laughed while the looks of those practicing, well, looked worried! Tomorrow I have a led class, so perhaps I should not laugh too much.

Today's practice was great. Because of the led class, students in Saraswathi's class start at almost the same time. It is nice to now recognise familiar faces, one of whom I'm thankful for as her blog has helped my preparations for this trip. As always, Saraswathi came to help me at the asana I'm stuck at, Marichysana D. It's amazing - this small 67 year old woman doing her best to bind this stiff man. So I also tried my best to get into position. My face must have gone either red from the effort or pale from lack of breathing. So there we are - the both of us trying our best. And when the moment passed, we smiled at each other. That was a great moment to remember.

Back to Practice - 4 Sept

Yesterday shala was closed as it was a festival to celebrate the birth of Ganesh. Some of the practitioners practiced on their own. Me .. I took a day off. Already I've been vegetarian since I arrived (does eating eggs count as being vegetarian?).

Back to practice at 8.45am. I was slightly early but was slightly taken aback that Sharath was still there. He told me to come in. And I heard Saraswathi called out, "tomorrow you come at 8am". I'm assuming she's talking to me; otherwise it shall be interesting tomorrow.

Finally beginning to feel more settled. Was stopped at Marichysana D but this time Saraswathi got me to touch my fingers on my left side. Yahoo! The right side is still quite far away. But mini breakthrough is good.

Had lunch at Om Shanti. Very nice thali. After lunch, a student ask me to fill up a survey. Soon as I say yes, four other students came over with their own surveys. I think I spent 20 minutes, finishing up their surveys. Hey, got to give them a good impression of Malaysians, right?

My 7.30am Practice - 2 Sept

Today I was allocated an early time as it is the start of a festival. I went early to try and catch glimpses of the advanced practitioners, some of whom had started at 4.45am and had already finished by the time I arrived. There were 2 other people ahead of me in the waiting area. "One more", an authoritative voice rang out. I barely have time to sneak a peek when two "one more" rang out and it's my turn!

It is a whole different scene from yesterday when I went in. It was packed with mats side by side. For today, my class is mixed together with Sharath's students as well. I was told to put my mat at the back. Sandwiched between two practitioners who were in the midst of doing some crazy advanced pose, I quietly put my mat down and promptly went to the changing room to compose myself. Good thing about today was at least in my row there were a few men.

It was hard not to look around. The moment I looked around, I lost count of how many sun salutations I did. Never mind, just focus on the breath. Even then, these practitioners' breath are so loud, they play havoc on me concentrating on counting my own breath. But it was amazing to be practicing in such an atmosphere - in footballing terms, it would be like having a kick-about with Manchester United players at Old Trafford!

Saraswathi was great. The times she came to help or adjust me, she always had a smile. I got up to Mari D (I can't spell it!) before I was told to do the finishing poses. Can't wait for Thursday to start again ...

My First Practice - 1 Sept

I was 25 minutes early. So I walked around, and found an internet cafe nearby. I will check it out after my practice. I then waited in the waiting area when I was told to start my practice. I instinctively put my mat in the back row and started my practice. Soon more people turned up and it became painfully obvious (I hope it's coincidence) that all the men was practicing in the front row and the row I'm in were all women!

Anyway, too late. I had started to practice. It was hard not to be in awe being in this famous shala. As soon as I thought of this, I put my wrong foot forward in Sun Salutation B. Hoping Saraswathi did not notice I quietly went on as if nothing is wrong. Other than that, practicing with Saraswathi is great. She has such a strong presence that when she says something, you would do your best to follow.

Towards the end of the practice, she told me to start tomorrow at 7.30am. I could barely notice her next message about the shala being closed on Wednesday, being a festival day, for my head was starting to swell up. As if she could sensed that, she then said, "After holiday, you start again at 8.45am". My ego went back to the novice yogi state.

I can now say I've practice in the main shala!!

Mysore, At Last! - 31 Aug

Finally, I'm in Mysore. The hotel I'm staying in is called the Green Hotel. It has really beautiful gardens and my room looks out onto them!

After quickly settling in, I set off to the shala to register. I was reminded of my university days when we approached the shala - there were pockets of what looks obviously like yoga students standing out amongst the locals. I saw Saraswathi for the first time - she was friendly and also has a strong decisive presence. She led me to a room to register and there was Sharath sitting in the room! So, I quickly said namaste and smiled like an idiot. I hope I don't practice like an idiot tomorrow. I was told to practice the next morning at 8.45am.

One Week to My First Mysore Trip

One week to go!  It's finally dawning on me that I'll soon have to leave my comfort zone and see how I cope with 2 weeks as a yoga student in Mysore.  

Why Mysore?  To get an opportunity to see the man who started this system of yoga called Ashtanga Yoga.  (See www.kpjayi.org )  Shri K. Pattabhi Jois is now 93 years old and apparently still teaching.  Though I'm not learning from him, I'm going to spend 2 weeks learning from his daughter, Saraswathi.

My existing yoga practice comprise 3 times a week at classes that are scheduled either around 8 in the morning or in the evening around 6.  This trip to Mysore will mean a daily practice (albeit for only 2 weeks) and will start at 7.30am.  My intention is to try the yoga student life and this meant also being vegetarian.  Two weeks should be fine, right?  As the time draws nearer, panic and doubts are starting to sow their seeds.

This is also my first attempt at blogging.  Ha ha.  It's one of many firsts.  Hopefully this will be a transformative event ....