Yoga Teacher Training: Day 1 reflection

Day 1 - The teachers started with a Yoga Sutra call and response chant. One of them translates to: "Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind". Or, put another way that spoke to me, "A blissed out state."

Oh, I sure hope so. That would be sweet!
I am afraid it means devotion to a daily practice, which means commitment. Crap!

But I'm willing to try :)

We then got right into the history of yoga. A progression of how it came to be what we know today. What a dizzying array of methods and "schools" of yoga we have now. Surely anyone who desires to explore this practice can find some form that works for them...of their own understanding.

The particular yoga studio I am studying with is based on the teachings of Patabhi Jois (pronounced Joy - how appropriate), who founded the Ashtanga method. we are also focused on Hatha and Vinyasa. All of them seem to be related and borrowed from each other in some way or another. I am still confused by all of the nuances and differentiations.

But that does not matter, right? Progress...showing up.

The teacher, Amy, asked if anyone wanted to to demostrate "upward dog". Of course I did! So, as the ego steps in during any pose strange things can occur. I really wanted to show everyone how well I could show this pose. Well, you know... I have really worked at this one. I felt myself getting lighted-headed as I powered into the pose, and in fact was not that far off from passing out due to an over extension of the lower back. In other words, going beyond where my body was telling me I could go at that time. Best lesson of the day learned: Ego is not helpful in yoga.

P.S. this is a random, unknown yoga girl...I thought her form was an excellent example

of correct alignment for the pose.

I will keep coming back...

Namaste - steve