Archive for the ‘Ashtanga Yoga’ tag
“And I am frightened by the corrupted ways of this land, if only I could meet The Maker. And I am fascinated by the spiritual man, I am humbled by his humble nature..” (All I Really Want, ALANIS MORISSETTE)
Just in case YouTubes of Kino I shared in my previous posts did intimidate you ‘a little’,
this is what we ‘muggles’ do in our Introduction to Ashtanga class (90 mins) at UPWARD.
Location: UPWARD | Saujana Resort
- Sun Salutation A X 5
- Sun Salutation B X 3
- Standing Postures
- Backbending
- Closing Sequence
This video is edited to 400% faster (actual fiming duration for this practice is 38 minutes).
Depending on how fast the class moves and how familiar are the students with this basic routine, several (if not half) of Primary Series poses will be introduced in between Standing Poses (last pose being Virabhadrasana II) and Backbending (Urdhva Dhanurasana).
For more info about this class at Upward, check out our Class Schedule and for deeper understanding of fundamentals of Ashtanga and Primary Series, there are still spots left for Saturday (Dec 10th) and Sunday (Dec 11th) we are SOLD OUT for our debut workshop with a KPJAYI Level 2 Ashtanga teacher!
Sneeze and you’d miss.
Snooze and you lose!
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” ~BUDDHA
For those of you who have been e-mailing / leaving me comments on how does one start practicing Ashtanga before becoming a superhuman, this workshop organized by Upward conducted by a KPAJI Level 2 Ashtanga teacher is the perfect beginning for you!
An FB event has been created for the workshop, do RSVP your attendance if you are interested and read through on how to make payment to confirm your participation.
INTRODUCTION TO ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA WORKSHOPS
WITH ELIZABETH DEROW (KPJAYI LEVEL 2 TEACHER) | 10 & 11 DEC 2011 at UPWARD
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is deemed the most physical yoga practice and it is said that anyone who can finish Second / Intermediate Series is to have the fitness level (strength, flexibility, control, stamina, balance, poise) of an Olympic gymnast.
Elizabeth Derow (UK) has been practising Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga since 1997. She was given Sri K Pattabhi Jois’s blessing to teach in 2004 and is authorized to teach First / Primary and Second / Intermediate Series by KPJAYI, Mysore.
WORKSHOP I: SATURDAY | 10 DECEMBER 2011 | 11.00am – 01.30noon (2 1⁄2 hours)
Introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga [Intensive I]: FUNDAMENTALS OF BREATH, ‘BANDHA’ & ‘DRISHTI’
Participants will be introduced to some of the background and theory around the practice followed by the fundamentals of breath, bandha & dristi and exploration of the Primary Series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Workshop will wrap with guided relaxation after which participants will learn some simple pranayama techniques (the art of breath control).
WORKSHOP II: SUNDAY | 11 DECEMBER 2011 | 3.00pm – 5.30pm (2 1⁄2 hours)
Introduction to Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga [Intensive II]: THE PRIMARY SERIES
Building on Intensive I’s foundations, participants will continue their exploration of the Primary Series, a powerful healing tool called Yoga Chikitsa in Sanskrit (or ‘yoga therapy’). Workshop will conclude as Saturday, with some pranayama techniques after relaxation.
LEVEL / PRE-REQUISITE:
- Beginners to Intermediate
- Proficiency of Sun Salutation A & Sun Salutation B required
- A couple of Intro to Ashtanga classes at Upward before the workshop(s) is encouraged.
- Recommended reading links on Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga:
PRICE:
RM120 per workshop or RM200 for both workshops.
(RM20-off for valid monthly membership. T & C)
NOTES:
1. Participants are welcome to attend only one of the two classes, but if at all possible – it is advised that they attend both.
2. Maximum 25 participants. Space will be reserved only to those who have paid in full amount.
3. Manduka BlackPRO mat is provided to all participants by Upward, simply bring your own mat towel or rent a Manduka eQua Towel from Upward for RM5 a day.
TO RSVP:
Write in to info@upwardyoga.com or register at UPWARD | Saujana Resort.
Walk-in for payment is only entertained 30 minutes before first class, in between of the first and second class and 30 minutes after the last class. Click HERE for info on Upward’s class schedule.
Confirmation is only granted once full payment have been received. Strictly no refund but attendance is transferable at your own discretion.
* * * * * *
Ashtanga Primary Series preview with my inspiration and virtual teacher, Kino MacGregor
I appreciate your generousity and energy to spread and share light on this workshop to your friends and family. Hope to see you at the workshop!
“Practice, practice, practice and all is coming.”
~SHRI K. PATTHABI JOIS (1915 – 2009)
“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” ~WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD
Everytime I travel especially to North America,
I would not miss a chance to visit other yoga studios, take a break from teaching everyday
and usually learn so much more just by being just another student in other teachers’ class.
Dharma Mittra’s Master Practice class, NYC
Upward kitten in front of Downward Dog by the beach, Toronto
With Tara Stiles at her Strala, Broadway NYC
Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto (AYCT)
During my visit to Toronto a couple of weeks ago,
I met David Robson of Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto (AYCT) at his centre.
I was at AYCT for just one Mysore class on the first day of Hari Raya morning but David’s teaching and moving Ashtangi persona left me YouTube-ing for more!
Tell me if you are not moved by this..
David Robson’s LIVING THE PRACTICE
David Robson’s LEARN TO FLOAT
Thanks to David, watching his YouTubes AND floating are now my husband & I’s favourite new pastime replacing marathons of Mad Men and Entourage.
Also thanks to David, for the inspiration and realization that:
to be a walking example and ‘living the practice’,
I have to do my Ashtanga practice earlier than my students.
Well, maybe not every 3am for now, but 4.30 in the morning – almost every day for sure.
Love and Toronto light.
“Now that I know what I’m without, you can’t just leave me. Breathe into me and make me real..”
It has been exactly two years since our Guruji left his body and left behind a legacy of magical Ashtanga practice to mankind.
I did not get a chance to meet Guruji personally in this lifetime but I somehow often hear him whispering to my ears during my much-deserving Dead Body after my every Ashtanga practice – reminding me that I JUST HAVE TO GO THROUGH all this seemingly-impossible Ashtanga poses and Series
- SO THAT I can simply sit still as I meditate in Full Lotus
- AND take a moment (or an hour..) to thank my Maker with the perfect body and happy mind I have I already have
- TO KNOW that I do not need to accumulate more temporary recognition and unnecessary material possesions
I can never repay you,
I can only practice what you taught me.~ SANTINA
In loving memory, lotus feet and profound gratitude to
Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois
(July 26, 1915 – May 18, 2009)
“This series of postures (the Intermediate Series) is a very advanced form of practice and while it’s only the Second Series, it can give you the sense of just how deep you can go in the Ashtanga Yoga practice with regular disicpline, devotion and faith in the journey.” ~KINO MACGREGOR
One of my favourite teachers that I practice my Second / Intermediate Series Ashtanga every morning with (her DVD) is Kino MacGregor. She was also featured in my last two entries.
Kino is the youngest woman in the world to hold certification to teach Ashtanga yoga by its founder late Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India. She was only 29 years old when she was certified to teach Ashtanga. I am already 29 and I still struggle in tucking my leg behind my head 
If you think yoga only requires flexibility (and breathing ya daa ya daa), watch this other Youtube of Kino and prepare to be mesmerized.
Oh yes, this girl can float and fly!
Everytime I feel like giving up my Second / Intermediate Series as I thought
- my spine is not open enough
- my hamstrings are not elongated enough,
- my core is not strong enough
- I secretly & pessimistically believe Ashtanga Yoga might just be for men (in tights!)
I just sit still for a minute, look up at Kino and be inspired.
I am positive that if I invested (way way way) MORE time on my mat, standing on my hands – one day I might just be able to be as strong, as flexible and as graceful as Kino.
I also love how Kino and I are almost of the same height proportion 
Ha haaa, Kino on cover of Yoga Journal side by side with an old photo of mine.
When I can still tie up my hair, that is.
While we are at it , have you voted for me to be on cover of Yoga Journal TODAY?
Love and let’s float Friday together today!
An NYC-inspired yoga practice space along the lush green neighbourhood of Saujana Resort, Malaysia. For class schedule, fees and location, visit 
