Ninie Ahmad: Off her yoga mat.

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)

Anyone that told you “yoga is boring”, “yoga is too easy”, “yoga is not enough a workout for me” evidently has never tried Ashtanga Yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga 411:

1. Ashtanga Yoga (the practice) is deemed the most physical yoga practice and it is said that anyone who can finish Second Series sequence to have the fitness level (strength, flexibility, control, stamina, balance, grace) of an Olympic gymnast.

More 411:

- Madonna practices Third Series

- It took me EIGHT YEARS to khatam complete First Series as I got stuck in Supta Kurmasana for years (you must be thinking, poses that THAT in only First Series, I know rightttt?). I now in my third year of Second Series and as expected, literally suck stuck at Yoga Nidrasana O_o

2. Ashtanga Yoga sequence is to be practiced in its exact sequential order. Practitioners are prohibited from moving / skipping to the next pose unless the intended pose is performed as each pose is meant to be the preparation pose for the next one.

Image from Ashtanga Yoga

3. There are three groups of sequences in the Ashtanga system. Each series starts with five Sun Salutation A, three Sun Salutation B, Standing Sequence, The *Series with vinyasa (jumping back to chaturanga dandasana, upward dog & downward dog to change every side and every pose), The Closing Sequence & Corpse Pose. A complete and continuous Ashtanga practice (some people I know take FIVE MINUTES Child Pose after every seating vinyasa!) at any series usually takes at least 90 minutes to be performed (I just have to state this to this detail because some ‘Ashtanga’ classes I went to at Tr@# Fitness / Tr$% Yoga KL are NOT Ashtanga classes at all).

The *First / Primary Series (Yoga Chikitsa) detoxifies and aligns the body.

The *Second / Intermediate Series (Nadi Shodhana) purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels.

The Advanced Series (Sthira Bhaga) *A or Third, *B or Fourth, *C or Fifth and D or Sixth Series integrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility.

Primary Series & Intermediate Series demo by my Ashtanga teacher, Kino MacGregor

4. While there are many aspiring Ashtangis in this lifetime, only those certified by the late founder Sri K Pattabhi Jois (now his grandson) of Ashtanga Yoga should /can teach an Ashtanga class or else the class has to be named Ashtanga Led / Mysore (self-practice monitored by Ashtangi) / -inspired.

5. Until 2008, there are only 48 certified Ashtanga yoga teachers in US. Complete directory for certified Ashtanga yoga teachers in the world can be found here.

While I do not hold any dream of becoming an Ashtanga certified teacher anytime soon,
I choose Ashtanga Yoga as my daily practice because with Ashtanga,

• I discover my every potential as a human being that every muscle, every sensation, every organ is meant to be used, appreciated and nourished
• I learn that there is really no shortcut to being healthy and practicing everyday is the only way
• I become the strongest, most open and balanced body I can be
• I accept my body and imperfections
• I am humbled by a 10001 more poses that I still can’t do
• I respect my limit and understand others’

Peace and practice, practice, practice.

Exactly one year ago, yogis all around the world mourned the passing of Ashtanga yoga patriarch Sri K. Pattabhi Jois upon hearing the news that Guruji left his body and a sea of magical practice legacy to mankind.

The songs used for this out-of-the-world inspiring Third Series practice YouTube from Santina (a renowned Fourth Series practitioner of Ashtanga Yoga),

..speak for me and I am sure thousand other Ashtangis to remember our Guruji.

I was never really a fan of Evanescence but after discovering this YouTube last year, ‘Bring Me To Life‘ was instantly added to my Ashtanga Yoga practice playlist and everytime ‘My Immortal‘ airs – I take a moment of silence in remembrance of Guruji..

In loving memory, lotus feet and profound gratitude to

Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois (July 26, 1915 – May 18, 2009)

Rest In Peace.