Asana question and KPJ in America?

[Guest guest]

Ok Yogis,<br>My question is regarding head

position in the second vinyasa of padangushtasana and

padahastasana. The way I was taught and the way I have been

practicing is to 'place the head in the region between the

knees' and drishti is nasagra drishti. Because my chin

is generally below my knees in both asanas, I place

my head between the area between my legs - right

under my knees. Also, this is the way the asanas are

described in Yoga Mala. To achieve this as described, the

neck (or MY neck) will be engaged and not hanging

freely, or let go of. I understand that the neck wants to

be kept long as length is what we are acheiving and

is important as a meditation during

practice.<br><br>OK. So, recently I was in an Ashtanga class ( both a

led class and a couple of mysore practice sessions)

with an instructor who, granted, is not really an

ashtanga teacher - which I gathered immediately during the

first class with her, but she is an experienced Iyengar

instructor. However, she and another woman who taught one of

the other mysore sessions were teaching Ashtanga and

I was practicing my Asgtanga series. Both of them

at different times corrected my head position in the

above mentioned asanas and told me to let my head hang

loose and that there should be no tension in the neck

and that my head should not be between my

knees.<br><br>I understand the positive effects letting your head

go in these asanas can have, and I have practiced

kinds of yoga in the past that ask you to do this sort

of thing with your head, but my belief is that if

Pattabhi Jois and/or one of the teachers he has sent out

into the world says to put your head in the region

between the knees, I am going to put my head in the

region between the knees. I don't have any arguments

because I believe that after years and years of practice

there is a specific reason for doing asanas the way

they are presented. I may not always know what the

reasons are and I don't always need to.<br><br>The truth

is, I like the way it feels when I let my head hang

loose in thoses asanas, but I was taught to put my head

in the region between my knees. By the way, this

question also applies to adho mukha svanasana (down dog.)

In Yoga Mala, KPJ says 'tilt the head, look at your

navel.' That is how I was taught and is how I practice.

Again I was told to 'let my head go'. What's up with

this? <br><br>I am visiting an area where there are not

really any Ashtanga teachers to ask in person.

<br><br>Also, I realize that there are all kinds of people out

there teaching all kinds of things and claiming to be

one thing or another and that's just the way it is

going to be. Although at the time of the classes I felt

a little prickly about being corrected for this

stuff, I really don't care and know that these people

are doing the best they know how and were trying to

do something positive for me.<br><br>Thanks. I am

curious to hear people's responses. Also, any news about

KPJ in America? Please inform. Much Obliged. BLT

[Guest guest]

It was announced in my Mysore class this morning

that K. Pattabhi Jois is coming to the U.S. in August

and September. Cities mentioned were New York,

Boulder, Encinitas, and somewhere in Hawaii. I believe

he's doing two-week stints in each city, but I'm not

sure. Maybe someone out there has more specific info;

this is all I know.<br><br>Namaste<br><br>M

[Guest guest]

Are you in Seattle by any chance??<br><br>Yes, it

seems that Pattabhi will go to New YOrk (Eddie Stern),

Boulder (Richard Freeman), and Encinitas (Tim Miller) but

I believe it may start in mid July. Details are

being worked out now and no firm dates are set. You

could call these respective places for more

info.<br><br>Yeshe

[Guest guest]

To Yeshe, yes I'm in Seattle. Do we attend the same Mysore class?<br><br>M