Happy Birthday Guruji!

Happy 93rd Birthday, Guruji! Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois was born on the full moon day of July 1915 (Guru Purnima day). This year, that day falls on July 18. To learn more about Guruji's amazing life and his more than 70 years of teaching Ashtanga yoga, see www.ayri.org/biography.html.

Except for the Point...

Except for the point, the still point, there would be no dance.

– The Four Quartets, T.S. Eliot

It is early on a cool summer morning – the kind that just makes you want to hit snooze and roll over for another hour. But you are not in bed; you are on your mat. You’ve joined a unique group of individuals world-wide who continue a daily tradition that dates back thousands of years. The tradition known outside of India as Mysore practice.

Your first ujjayi breath summons the spirit of the enigmatic Patanjali. The room, otherwise quiet and empty, is filled with the sound of your breath and is energized. Whether practicing alone at home, with others in a yoga studio or at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute shala in Mysore where often it is so crowded that the yoga mats touch each other, you are transformed.

Mysore practice is a method that makes Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, often considered an extremely vigorous yoga practice, accessible to everyone. The practice is not led by a teacher. The level and number of poses varies with everyone. Without the ‘pressure’ to stay with the teacher’s count, you have the luxury of following your own personal rhythm, maintaining focus by listening to your breath and using the dristi – the still point of concentration. This individualization allows the teacher to work with you one on one. It encourages you to work and explore each pose independently at your current level in the series; to go within. Most importantly, you develop consistency.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, the teacher of this method, reminds all of us to “Do your practice and all is coming.” One of the important things that ‘is coming’ is the realization that the practice itself, done with consistency, is the real teacher. This is the magic of Mysore.

Treat yourself to something special – City Yoga Summer 2008 Mysore Practice hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6AM – 8AM.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Thanks to Lars for this beautiful description.

Notes from the Shala...

Asana and injury, and the purpose of stopping at postures you have not yet mastered...


Regarding asana and injury, Sharath explained that many people get frustrated when they have injury (yoga or otherwise) - many people also feel to not practice when injured. He explained that the yoga will heal you! If you are injured and you use the breath and bandhas properly, modifying as you need in the asanas, your yoga practice will heal your body. Thus, when you do become injured continue to practice each day, simply modify the asanas as necessary.

Sharath was also asked why he stops us in asanas, what is the purpose, and should we follow this prescription for our practice once we return home. I loved loved loved that she asked this question - because back home in Orlando so many people want to keep going keep going - people do led practice all the time so why should they stop in mysore with asanas they obviously cannot do - it behooves me but then again it is obvious that some people really don't get the WHY. Well Sharath explained that when he stops us at a posture we have not mastered, we are forced to think about and work on that asana instead of spending the whole of our lives just doing the postures and never mastering ANY! He explained that when we do the entire practice in this way we are never doing yoga, we are merely doing stretches in some order. When we stop at an asana we cannot preform with ease of breath and movement, we will spend more time and more focus on that asana until we do eventually get it. He told a story of how Guruji didn't give him any new postures in over two years at one point when he was working on fifth series. I have always told my students that it doesn't matter which posture you are stuck on, becasue you will ALWAYS be stopped somewhere - so let us not mull over our own egos - instead let's enjoy this amazing journey!

AYRI in the USA

Even though I had been practicing Ashtanga Yoga for three years in the fall of 2001, I was kind of clueless about what was going on.. or maybe I just wasn't ready. But I was living in Virginia and could have easily gone up to NY to do one of those weeks with Guruji. But like I said I was apparently kind of clueless - and pretty much didn't even know it was going on. By the next summer it seems I sort of had caught on with the system, and upon moving to Spokane July '02 registered myself to attend the five day workshop in Seattle put on by David and Satya. (At that time I did not know them at all.) A friend of mine who I had rowed with (and hadn't seen since the "96 Olympic trials)and whose husband was the rowing coach at UW was going to let me stay at their house. So I had a place to stay and a yoga class each morning for a week, and didn't have a job... so off I went. My first day was less than stellar - I have to admit that upon seeing my two friends from the glory days of rowing and consuming a glass or two of wine I was LATE arriving to the venue where our beloved guru of Ashtanga Yoga was going to be teaching for five days. When I finally found the place, there were seemingly hundreds of pairs of shoes filling the anteroom of a community college gymnasium. The owners of those hundreds of shoes were already partaking in surya namaskaras as I sneaked into the very, very, very back row. After I was finished berating myself for being such an idiot - is seems out of all those 250 people, I was the only one who couldn't make it there on time - practice went along as usual. Because I was in the back row, Saraswathi was walking around and helping us bind etc.. Sharath was in the middle, and Guruji was in the very front. After we finished, as we were laying in Savasana, I noticed that people were starting to get up and go stand in this line, that ended at the three of them sitting up in the front of the gym. As clueless as I was I apparently had enough sense to go join the line and wait for my turn to meet this great teacher face to face. I wasn't sure about the kneeling at someones feet, or kissing their feet or whatever it was that everyone was confidently doing, but I continued to wait. When it was my turn I went over to him and sort of semi prostated myself at his feet, too shy to actually touch them, and then just went the easy way and gave him a hug. His smiling eyes, and his bear hug made me forget all my self-consciousness, and then he looked at me and said "you're here?". He must have thought I was someone else, but then of all things, then he thanked me! Wow, meeting him face to face is such a gift.

Well anyways, as the week wore on I was able to make it there on time. I slowly started to make my way toward the front of the room. One day I unrolled my mat right next to a woman named Fiona Stang who I went to high school and college with back East - which was really remarkable. I became more comfortable with the line, the kneeling thing, and began to look forward to that big hug. Since that time I've gone to see our teacher two other times and now (besides going to India) you all can too! He will be in the AYRI center they have built in the US - this March! I highly encourage you to take this opportunity!

Interview with Saraswathi from Namarupa

NE: What advice can you give to Ashtanga Yoga teachers who want to teach this method over a long period of time, as you have done?

SR: You don't want to change the method. What you learn in Mysore with us is what you should teach in your place. Guruji has told us so many things; you can't go changing it. If you follow Guruji's method, definitely everything is coming spiritual. It will change minds; everything will change. People like it the way it is - that's why it is spreading everywhere. For forty years nobody has taught like hiim. But in old age - seventy years, eighty years - you keep a few asanas and make them your regular practice. Just do primary, that's enough, but don't stop. You look at the people and see what is suitablele for them. You can choose what their practice should be. Even a very big man can do Surya Namaskara with the correct breathing - you can make him try. Soon it will be much easier for him. If you can't do Surya Namaskara, you can do simple asanas, with breathing and mula bandha and drsthi. Even sick people can do the breathing. Eventually they will feel happy ad their bodies will become light. So many people tell us Guruji has changed their lives with Ashtanga Yoga.

Westerners are very strong people - when they start, they keep going.

From the Fall 2007 issue of Namarupa, excerpt from an interview of Saraswathi Rangaswamy, the daughter of Sri K.Pattabhi Jois by Nick Evans.

Happy Thanksgiving from Mysore

Happy Thanksgiving! A few of us are getting together on T-Day for vegetarian potluck. Today marks three weeks in Mysore and have only two more before going further south. It's going fast. I haven't been adjusted by Saraswati at all this week. Just help in drop-backs. I wait, but there are many more people now than last week and she just keeps moving around and gets the drop-backs for sure and if time (so it seems) she will come and assist in other poses. It's all good. My knee is getting better. I can take Ardha Baddha Padmatonasana with no pain again. The massage guy's work is effective. I've also been following some advice from Gregor. Speaking of Gregor, there's a woman here who goes to his shala in Australia. She says 'he's just such a lovely man and his wife is a dream'. Stay warm, Love from Mysore, Lars

What happens in Mysore after morning practice?

Dear Katie and Friends at City Yoga,

As so many of you lucky Ashtangis have experienced recently with David's Immersion Workshop, a regular daily practice is the 'best' teacher. Still there is no substitute for a knowlegable teacher who can give sensitive adjustments and personalized attention to your particular body during those practices. That is the beauty of Mysore style learning. I'm becoming more settled into a routine here. My practice, as I may have written already, begins about 5:15 AM. So generally I am leaving the shala around 7:30 AM when the last batch of students are just beginning. because I am able to take extra breaths in poses I want to explore more deeply or repeat poses when asked by Saraswati. And if you want specific help you need to wait until she can get to you. There is no need to rush through and no one says you're going too slowly. During the rest of the day there are several options. For those who just want to do the complete tourist thing, lying beside a hotel pool and listening to their i-pods that's a possibility. Exploring the city of Mysore is a culturally and visually interesting touritst-type activity - although exhausting and not something you need to do daily. Although I have my favorite places that I enjoy returning to, where I always notice something new. In the spirit of deepening the yoga experience, there are an abundance of classes in which to participate. They vary in cost to completely free to quite pricey - there's something worthwhile for every budget. I am taking a Sanskrit class from a young Sanskrit teacher - it meets 4 days a week. After learning to write and read the Devanagari script for an hour we have chanting with the same teacher to emphasize correct pronounciation. Our chanting is from the B Gita, the Yoga Sutras, shlokas for Bhajan and some shanti pat mantras. On the days we don't have that class I meet with his teacher who is a Professor of Sanskrit (she has a lovely south Indian singing voice) and we chant from a variety of sources. The second class is completely free. There are some yoga students who have gone there, perhaps for months becoming years. That class is like going from my 4-day a week Kindergarden-level course to a college-level course. It's very inspiring and humbling at the same time to see yoga students from all over the world in a small room in an ordinary home in an older part of Mysore chanting these verses accurately, by heart. There are also classes in the local language - Kannada, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Massage, Yoga Therapy, Yoga Philosophy, the Yoga Sutras and South Indian Cooking. All of them are taught by current or retired teachers and doctors. There's always something to learn. After a nap or two during the day I try to have a light early fruit dinner and be asleep by 8PM. It's gotten cooler here in the morning and I am glad that I packed a sweatshirt. Although the temperature is a probably a comfortable 60 degrees it is chilly especially after a hot practice. Hoping you are all well. Continue your practice and all is coming. Lars

My'sore in Mysore

Dear Friends,
After three weeks, the newness is beginning to wear off and things out of the ordinary seem quite normal. India is certainly a country of contrasts. Diwali Festival just ended (although I was warned that in a week there will be another grand night of firecrackers - again). I believe it was the night of 10 November - the last night of the Festival of Lights - that the firecrackers began at 6 PM and continued literally (and excessively) non-stop until around 2 AM. The noise was so constant and loud that neighbors in the house next to my bedroom window turned up the music they were playing and then were shouting at each other in order to be heard above the resulting din (gunga). The owner of one of the places where I eat meals said that the growing number of Indians working in the IT sector has produced this new affluence in the south resulting in bigger and bigger spending on events such as Divali.

Food in the south is mainly vegetarian and it is delicious. I did see a local place that advertised Fried Chicken. Just about a mile from where I am staying is a major intersection where you can find a Domino's, Subway and a Pizza Hut. I haven't seen a burger place yet. Visiting schools is quite an event. They have been very welcoming and generous with their time. Usually I meet with the Principal first, chai is served and we talk for a while then other teachers are summoned to meet me and we talk some more. Then we start off to visit the classes in which I have expressed an interest. I am escorted to evreything. The escort(s) stays with me all the time. At times they become bored with the lessons observed and suggest that we can leave now, but I insist on staying through to the end.

The students are eager to speak with me when given the opportunity. In class they are completely engaged in the topics. Sometimes they are called to do board work, at times they are simpley asked to explain a theorem or a technique. When the teacher has asked a question in class generally all hands shoot up to hope to get called upon to answer. When given a problem to solve, they get on it immediately trying to be the first to offer a solution. They use no calculators (log and trig tables are allowed) and they know plenty of short-cuts and quick-tricks to manage the arithmetic needed in either algebra, geometry, trig or calculus. All of the students wear school uniforms except for those in what they call junior colleges (this is grade 11 and 12 here and the students have a tough syllabus). I have purchased some books used for those grades to indicate the curriculum studied.

I have yoga class starting at 5:15 AM and I am finished by 7 AM. Schools don't begin until around 9:30 AM. The weather is pretty constant. About 80 each day cooling to about 70 - then the Indians put on scarves and sweaters. It's humid and I am still adjusting to that. Other things like cows loose on the streets (also ponies, goats, dogs) competing with ox carts, bicycles, pedestrians, mini Indian cars, larger SUV like vehicles, ornately decorated trucks, scooters, motorcycles and flower festooned, smoke belching 2-stroke auto-rickshaws amid a cacaphonous variety of horns and the way everything seems to mesh with little altercation makes life here even more unique. Everyone drinks filetered water - if they can afford it. I have a 20 Liter bottle delivered for 50Rs (about $1.25).
Wishing you could all have the opportunity to be here and enjoy the experience.
Lars

More lessons from Mysore...

Dear Katie and David and friends at City Yoga, Deepavali (or Dewali) celebrations started last night. Lots of firecrackers. My neighborhood sounded like a war zone. Friday is a moon day so no practice, but Friday is usually a led class day so Thursday is the led class this week. The led classes begin at 5am. I usually wake up at 3:45am to have time for a small coffee at home and some time to wake-up the 'system'. Maybe it was the explosions last night or that I needed an extra hour's sleep, or whatever, but anyway I forgot to set my alarm. So this morning I awoke at 4:50am leaving only 10 minutes to make it to the led class. Somehow I managed to get there before 5am. I was so grateful to Guy and Holly, who have been my practice neighbors this past week, since they 'kinda' saved a spot for me. I was able to get my mat out and street-clothes off and ready by the time Saraswati entered the practice room. Whew! For me it wasn't the best practice ever, but, fortunately, I was, at least, able to catch my breath and started practice in a calm state of mind. Nice challenge for Yogaschittavrttinirodah. Friday and Saturday are yoga holidays. Because of the extra day off in a row, some people have scheduled overnight excursions to areas of interest nearby. I have my Sanskrit and chanting class on Saturday morning and my first Ayurvedic massage scheduled on Saturday afternoon, so I'm staying here. There is so much to see and do here in Mysore that I'm not sure that I will bother arranging out of town adventures. There are a couple of local men that I have become friends with; we enjoy just sitting and talking over a coffee or chai, and of course, a sweet or two. This morning after practice, I was invited to participate in a short puja at the Ganesha Temple. The young priest was very kind and explained the significance of all the aspects of the ritual. There is a beautiful Krishna Temple, up the road from the shala, where some of us go for a short meditation sit in the afternoon. Enjoy your time with David. Om Shanti, Lars

More reporting from Mysore...

(photo from AYRI.ORG)

Dear Katie and friends at City Yoga,
Mysore ... it's worth the price of admission. Although I wouldn't want to be here when it's at the 250 - 300 level of practitioners. Now there are less than fifty. Among them a couple from Olympia, a guy from Victoria and another from Nelson; small world. This morning there were only about 35 in the shala. It's hard to know exactly since some start at 5AM and others come later, on the half hour. My start time is 5:30 and I have been arriving early and when I enter the shala's foyer, Saraswti motions me to come in so I really start around 5:15. The air is moist and warm most of the time. I brought a travel alarm with a thermometer and I have not noticed it less than 78 degrees in my room. This makes for me a very easy warm-up. I share the ground floor of a house (the family is upstairs) and have a short walk (about 53 steps) from my front gate to the shala. Everything urgently necessary is within easy walking distance of the shala. The local people are wonderful; friendly, helpful and very outgoing and the food is fantastic. Papayas are in season as are pomegranetes, local apples and the ubiquitous bananas ( maybe five different kinds). Part of the reason there are so few people here now is that Guruji is not usually adjusting during practice (I've only seen him once - the day I registered) and Sharath is off teaching workshops in Japan, Hong Kong and later in Goa. So Saraswati is running the morning practices by herself. But, I haven't seen that it is a problem. She has an eagle-eye and watches everyone closely. It's hard to hide something from her watchfulness. After my first Mysore practice last week, she asked me as I was leaving if I did my back-bending. I said yes and she said "but no dropping-back". I said no. Then she said, with a smile, "from Monday, you are waiting and dropping back. Any pose you want help, you wait, I will come." Friday, the end of the week here (Saturday is a holiday) and Sunday, the beginning of the week, are Led Primary Series days. So today was "my" Monday and I was a bit apprehensive about the dropping-back. However, as I practiced this morning I observed her assist a man taller and much heavier than I. Saraswati is a small woman, but very strong. She uses no props, only her hands at your hips and away you go. She softly led me into the activity. My down and back up went well. Afterwards she said, with a twinkle in her eye, "Tomorrow you are doing two times." The time difference from here to there is 12 hours plus 1 1/2 hours ahead of Spokane time. So, when you-all are starting a Monday night class in Spokane I am just finishing my Tuesday morning practice and sending greeting home via the closing mantra. Afterwards I head to the coconut stand opposite the shala entrance for fresh coconut water and early morning chit-chat with folks from all over the world drawn here by the same ashtanga magnet. Hare Om, Lars

First report from Mysore...

Hey Katie,
Registered yesterday and saw and spoke with Guruji.First practice today. Saraswathi asked me if I was "a beginner or you practice?" I told her practicing 4 years. She said, OK you come at 5:30.Only about 30-35 people practicing. Plenty of room. It's muggier than inSeattle. I was dripping after fourth surya A.She gave me one adjustment. As I was leaving there were still a few practicing (I wasn't the last one out) but she nabbed me and said "you didback-bending?" I said yes, she said "Dropping back"? I said no, BUSTED! She said "Monday you wait, I will help. Any pose you want help you wait, I will come". So, the myth that they don't toiuch you if you're only here for a month is false. She spoke very kindly to me and reminded me thatFriday and Sunday are Led and start at 5AM.Met a woman from Olympia after the practice. Trying to get my bearings and fill up a long open day. It's hot and humid. My room is about 100 yards from the shala.I might be here for 5 weeks, and then to Lino's.That's it for the first Mysore report. I'm learning lots of what to do and what not to do for/if there are other trips. Despite all my attempts to get details, there's nothing like actually being here. Some of that internet advice is just bogus.Take care and say hello to everyone at City Yoga.
Love,Larsy
Listen to the NPR story about mysore... (thanks Judy)

City Yoga Away Team - Bon Voyage Lars

Most of you probably know Lars, or at least have seen him around the studio, pretty much daily for the last four years. I should let Lars tell his own story (he's a really good story teller), so I'll just give you a synopsis - he was first introduced to Ashtanga Yoga by Dave Oliver when I brought Dave to Spokane in the spring of 2003. Lars had done a few sessions of yoga at Harmony Yoga but was not really finding what he was looking for. When he met Dave, he felt he had found it - and after that weekend he was hooked. He started coming to my classes regularly, and probably hasn't missed many days of practice since. A beginner to Ashtanga yoga at the age of (I'm probably going to get this wrong) but I think 58 or 59 - which I think is inspiring and proves that age is more a state of mind than anything. Over the years I've had the privilege of watching Lars practice, I don't remember this but he said that when he started he weighed about 190 pounds and now is a svelte 155lbs. Something else you might not know about Lars is that he's not as menacing as he looks, he loves rap, gardening, kids and talking. Lars has already travelled to see Guruji once when he was here in the US a couple of years ago. But today he is leaving on a three month adventure to India and Malaysia. He is on his way right now to Bangalore - but first stopping in Singapore, where he has a day layover and has already scoped out an Ashtanga class to attend. The to Bangalore where he will stay for a week with Sree's brother and take classes from a relative of the Jois clan. Then to Mysore! Lars will be in Mysore for one month and then he is off to study with Lino Miele in Kovalam from December 9 - January 4th. I've asked Lars to send us a few pictures and words for the blog so we can follow him and his exciting travels. Lars, give our love to Guruji! Travel safe!

Mysore Style

The most intimate, personal and developed way of practicing yoga is also the most traditional, time-honored and historic method. The ‘Mysore Style’ method is named after the city where our teacher Sri K. Pattabhi Jois lives and teaches, continuing this teaching style from his teacher Krishnamacharya. In this special class, you learn to take individual responsibility for your yoga practice and develop a deeply trusting relationship with your teacher. It is perhaps the only way that the more advanced asanas or postures can be learned safely, with proper skill and dedication. By committing yourself fully to one yoga style, one teaching method and a regular practice, you open the door to deeper levels of your body, mind and spirit. (Kino MacGregor)

In a mysore class individuals move through the series of poses most appropriate for their age, their experience, their time limit and their faculties and the teacher is able to assist individuals by way of hand’s on adjustments, or verbal cues and explanations. This interaction between teacher and student is a container where growth can occur safely, when the student is ready. Also unique to the mysore practice is that you can ask questions. Take advantage of this individual attention and make sure you ask the teacher to help you with anything that you'd like help with.

Attending the mysore classes gives you the flexibility to arrive when you want allotting yourself the amount of time you need for your practice. If you are a beginner you will have the opportunity to discover yoga in the way that is best for your individual needs. As an advanced practitioner you will be able to explore your breath, your pranayama practices, or maybe your second series poses in both cases without trying to conform to the pace of the rest of the class.

Why Mysore?

Hi City Yogi’s and Yogini’s,

Mysore is the second biggest City in the State of Karnataka in southern India. Mysore still has an old world charm which has not given way to modern amenities. It is a city of palaces, gardens, shady avenues and sacred temples. Mysore is also the home of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois has been teaching the method of Asthanga Vinyasa Yoga here as taught to him by his teacher T Krishnamacharya since 1937. Like other methods of teaching yoga asana, Ashtanga Vinyasa emphasizes physical health as the way to reach true self understanding. Jois teaches yoga asana in the method that was taught to him by his teacher; where student learns directly from teacher and where the teacher helps the student progress at the ideal individual pace. This method of teaching Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga has come to be called “mysore style”, named simply after the home of Pattabhi Jois.

For most of us, yoga is a great physical workout, if you’ve been practicing for a while you might have already noticed that you are stronger, that you’ve toned muscles, that you’ve become more flexible and that you may have even lost those few extra pounds that you’ve wanted to loose. You might have also noticed relief from certain aches and pains that could be from an old car accident or nagging lower back pain. Your body has begun to feel better you have begun to want to treat it better. You find yourself making better food choices or choosing to forgo that last glass of wine in order to get more sleep etc… In short you have begun to feel the benefits of yoga moving off of your mat and into the rest of your life.

In yoga, however, one size does not fit all. Yoga for children focuses on growth: physical, mental, psychological and emotional to gain strength, flexibility and to sharpen the mind. Healthy young adults who do not yet have families might be introduced to yoga where precision and exact practice is emphasized to teach proper techniques. Yoga can also be taught with a focus on maintenance of health, relief of stress, and rejuvenation which is ideal for most adults with families and busy social and professional lives. Yoga can also be taught to deepen and nourish our spiritual side. And finally yoga can focus on the healing of physical, mental, emotional, or psychological unease or dis/ease.

If you were to travel to Mysore to study yoga with Pattabhi Jois you would not find a western style yoga class where teacher is standing in the front instructing the students. Instead you would see each individuals moving through the series of poses most appropriate for their age, their time limit and their faculties and you would see the teacher moving around the room assisting individuals by way of hand’s on adjustments, or verbal cues and explanations. You would see beginning students performing a few asanas next to long time practitioners moving through asana after asana. In this setting the teacher has the opportunity to work directly with the individual student. Teaching in a studio that has predominantly all “led” classes, I can tell you what a gift it is to be able to work with someone in this way.

So… I am happy to say that 2007 is bringing two Mysore Ashtanga classes to City Yoga on Wednesday nights from 5:30-7:20pm and on Friday mornings from 6:00-8:00am. Attending these classes gives you the flexibility to arrive when you want allotting yourself the amount of time you need for your practice. If you are a beginner you will have the opportunity to discover yoga in the way that is best for your individual needs. As an advanced practitioner you will be able to explore your breath, your pranayama practices, or maybe your second series poses in both cases without trying to conform to the pace of the rest of the class.

I hope you all take advantage of these classes and enjoy them as much as I enjoy offering them.

Much love,
Katie