A window into my practice

What is Ashtanga?

For the past 5 years, my personal yoga practice follows the Ashtanga Yoga Method, a vigorous style of yoga popularised by Pattabhis Jois in the 1970’s in Mysore India. In the Ashtanga Method, asanas are taught in a particular way called Mysore style. Rather than a group led class, all instructions are given one-to-one within the group class setting. Students practice their portion of the sequence most mornings at their own pace under the guidance of the teacher. The postures are practiced in the same order as each asana builds from the previous. There are 6 series in total: Primary – Intermediate – Four levels of advanced series. Each of the series begins with Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations) and ends with the same finishing sequence.

I love the discipline and the rigor of the Mysore style. This practice has become a flowing meditation and a real tool for introspection. I enjoy practicing early in the morning as it sets you for a fresh new day! 

How yoga affected me in relation to my life history?

I have learned over the years juggling priorities that balance and equilibrium are important. I have always had to contend between studying, working, my relationship with my life partner, my friends and of course my yoga practice. The regularity in practice is definitely an important factor for equilibrium. I generally find that doing my full asana practice 4 mornings per week brings a good balance to daily life.  Every now and then, I like to balance my Ashtanga practice. I do this in many ways. On is with an alternative yoga style called yin. I try to include more and more sitting meditation and pranayama into my daily practice. When traveling my asana practice becomes disturbed. This disruption can also bring balance as for me it makes space for realizations. I realize that I can easily become dependent on the asana practice. In this period of reverie I learn to appropriately contextualize yoga in my life. Yoga brings me much more than strength and flexibility. It has helped me observe myself in the world. How am I reacting to conflicts? How am I dealing with challenges that arise? How am I interacting with fellow humans and non-humans? 

Our yoga journey is unique, just like our lives. Introspection is also about finding out what type of yoga practice suits you according to your age, lifestyle, and personality. Your yoga practice is constantly evolving and will change with phases of your life. As a yoga teacher, I feel that my role is to help you find what practice suits your current needs.