Guest guest Posted September 3, 2001 Report Share Posted September 3, 2001 Please post your workshop experiences here or to the "other" board:<br><br><a href=http://pub42.ezboard.com/byoga84291 target=new>http://pub42.ezboard.com/byoga84291</a> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2001 Report Share Posted September 3, 2001 OUR TIME HAS FINALLY COME!<br><br>Seventh floor of the Puck Building twinkle lights decorated the white walls and windows.<br>Six a.m. class with Guruji!!!!!! There were around 150 students.<br><br>When Guruji appeared I was struck by his amazing energy and vitality. It’s unbelievable that he is 86. <br><br>Surprisingly to me, we only did 3 repetitions of Surynamaskar A and B. <br><br>I received my first correction! I was in Utthita Parsvakonasana with my hands in prayer and he placed one on the floor and one over my head and said. “Good”. I remember seeing his ring. A gold square with a rainbow of jewels. His correction was very direct.<br> <br> <br>His grandson Sharath corrected me on Supta Padangusthasana. He told me to put my foot on the floor...and in Uttana Padasana to point my toes. <br><br>I was suprised at their attention to detail because there seemed to be 150 or more in the room.<br><br>At the end of class I bowed to Guruji to thank him for his teaching. I touched his feet. He turned his cheek for me to kiss it. I was nervous and didn’t realize that....so I didn’t kiss his cheek and he thought that was spunky ....he laughed wholeheartedly. <br><br>Physically my arms are tired. We held chaturanga dandasana for a long time....many times! <br><br>I am still freshly stunned by this abundent teaching. <br><br>There was someone videotaping at the front of the class. Very unobtrusively and low key. I will not be posting footage like Cynxir whose hamstrings feel like cement in the after week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2001 Report Share Posted September 3, 2001 Beautiful day in NYC; with skylights in the top floor of the Puck building you feel that you have gone to heaven, with well over 100 angelic yogis practicing with Guruji -- just the best it could possibly be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2001 Report Share Posted September 3, 2001 <<I touched his feet.>><br><br>Why do people touch the teacher's feet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 "Vande Gurunam charanaravide..."<br><br>"I worship the Guru's lotus feet" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 Thanks but I still don't understand. WHY do you worship the guru's FEET? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 In Indian culture it's a mark of respect to touch the feet of someone you look up to ...<br><br>Lotus feet refers to the lotus which grows in dirty water, but floats above it all. So 'lotus feet' would imply someone who lives in the world (maya) but floats above it - isn't touched by it ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 Because feet of a guru have a special divine energy in them, that purify a student. It is an ancient tradition to show respect and thank a teacher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 I respect the lineage of yoga teachers and pay honor to the current master teacher. It is out of thankfulness that I bow down and say thank you for my lesson and the practice. In return to my saying thank you to Guruji he said "thank you" back to me.... as for his feet, that is the Indian tradition to touch the feet of the guru who is of this world and connects me with my subtle body through the practice of which he is the Master teacher. I am a newbie.....this is the best I can currently explain it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 cynxir-<br><br>Hey there, I stumbled upon your picture while trying to view some others. If you don't mind me asking, what is a Kuber Workshop? Just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 Worship is a strong word. Some translations use prostrate or bow to the lotus feet of the guru. I took my translation from Yoga Mala. It is a non western way of honor to bow to a teacher....and touch his feet. For more info than I can give try:<br><br><a href=http://www.practiceashtanga.com/Mantra.htm target=new>http://www.practiceashtanga.com/Mantra.htm</a> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 Heh, OK, 1st you misread it a bit. It states Kuber WorSHIP.<br><br>And, this is just one of my silly jokes. Kuber is the Hindu God of money and since I work for da monnee it's 'Kuber Worship' in my eyes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 Thanks, I get it now. Is everybody expected to touch his feet? <br><br>What about the kiss on the cheek thing? Does that have special symbolism or was he just flirting with you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 4, 2001 Report Share Posted September 4, 2001 No, everyone is not expected to touch his feet....it is optional....as is receiving an assist.<br><br>Your questions are becoming trying to me. Why am I addicted to this board? It is becoming an attatchment and a way to avoid the other writing I should be doing.<br><br>The kiss does not seem like flirting. Have you ever kissed your grandma or grandpa? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2001 Report Share Posted September 5, 2001 <<Your questions are becoming trying to me.>><br><br>Sorry! I'm trying to learn about yoga and instead I stumble across a foot fetish cult! Excuse me for being confused! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2001 Report Share Posted September 5, 2001 ha ha ha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2001 Report Share Posted September 5, 2001 Hi, I didn´t go to Guruji to kiss his feet, I only made deep bow. It´s a natural thing, if You are a "believer". For me it´s natural to kiss a priests hand or the Holy cross in church. I+ve understod, that Guruji is seen as a channel of divine power to rest of us, that´s why he is respected and "worshipped". As an outsider I saw the seremony of bowing and kissing as a religious one, and why not? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2001 Report Share Posted September 5, 2001 In the 8:00 class we have been going up to navasana, then finishing postures; I guess that is "half primary" series.<br><br>As for meeting, gotta think about it. Maybe I'll put up a sign in the corner: " ashtanga chat board members here" - that would be interesting! Or maybe we can just wait til those siddhis kick in - I have a guess as to who el senor is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2001 Report Share Posted September 5, 2001 We could also put up a sign in the other corner: "EZ board members here" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2001 Report Share Posted September 5, 2001 "" We could also put up a sign in the other corner: "EZ board members here"<br><br>Lol. <br>Ever the segregationalist, eh, Mally?<br><br>With respect to the touching of feet and bowing and hands to eyes then feet stuff, my understanding is that these are common gestures of veneration or respect applied in every day settings in India. For example, at weddings or family gatherings, it is typical for there to be a sort of receiving line in which the senior family person receives such gestures. Te gesture does not imply, to my knowledge, some worship or attempt to connect with the yoga gods. It's just a gesture of respect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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