day eight . . . taking the risk to bloom
this week, i have been waking up a little extra early to leave the house for . . . self-practice. as in, i arrive at arrive at the studio and begin my practice – on my own, but somewhere else. bizarre, huh?
i mean, others are there – between 6 and 8, in fact. some arrived well before me and others will join later. everyone will be doing the exact same practice (ashtanga), but not one of us is doing the same pose at the same time.
there is a teacher – but he does not lead nor guide the class. instead, he wanders the room offering individualized assists and instruction.
this is done in the spirit and tradition of sri k. pattabhi jois, who still employs this method at his shala in mysore, india. (hence, the name)
so while the practice of ashtanga yoga is not new to me – having to lead my own practice IS. i must admit, i’m a bit of a follower. (kinda like tofu, in that i take on the flavor of whoever i’m with.)
the first morning, i tried to time myself with the gal next to me. it was going quite well, until she ended her practice at navasana and I wasn’t near ready to end mine.
so i sat there . . . waiting for someone else to catch up to where i was . . . someone new i could follow.
and it occurred to me that this situation is not exactly novel in my life. often I will hold back and wait for someone else to take the lead. make my decisions for me. clear my way. you see, it takes great effort to step forth alone – not to mention having to assume liability for decisions I then make.
sometimes, seeming helpless alleviates any need for me to risk – or to work.
my teacher this week, david keil, was kind enough to direct me the next few – but then i would have to move on to my finishing postures and leave what was in between for another day. not because i wasn’t able – but because until now, I wasn’t really willing.
content to be safely led, i never sought the way.
I can’t help but call to mind this quote by anais nin: and the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.
day eight. and my jump back isn’t the ONLY thing that’s coming along . . .
i mean, others are there – between 6 and 8, in fact. some arrived well before me and others will join later. everyone will be doing the exact same practice (ashtanga), but not one of us is doing the same pose at the same time.
this is done in the spirit and tradition of sri k. pattabhi jois, who still employs this method at his shala in mysore, india. (hence, the name)
so while the practice of ashtanga yoga is not new to me – having to lead my own practice IS. i must admit, i’m a bit of a follower. (kinda like tofu, in that i take on the flavor of whoever i’m with.)
the first morning, i tried to time myself with the gal next to me. it was going quite well, until she ended her practice at navasana and I wasn’t near ready to end mine.
so i sat there . . . waiting for someone else to catch up to where i was . . . someone new i could follow.
and it occurred to me that this situation is not exactly novel in my life. often I will hold back and wait for someone else to take the lead. make my decisions for me. clear my way. you see, it takes great effort to step forth alone – not to mention having to assume liability for decisions I then make.
sometimes, seeming helpless alleviates any need for me to risk – or to work.
my teacher this week, david keil, was kind enough to direct me the next few – but then i would have to move on to my finishing postures and leave what was in between for another day. not because i wasn’t able – but because until now, I wasn’t really willing.
content to be safely led, i never sought the way.
I can’t help but call to mind this quote by anais nin: and the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.
day eight. and my jump back isn’t the ONLY thing that’s coming along . . .
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Posted by peg mulqueen at 3/3/2009 8:35 PM 
Categories: 40 days of yoga, discovery
Tags: ashtanga yoga peg mulqueen
Categories: 40 days of yoga, discovery
Tags: ashtanga yoga peg mulqueen
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