Guest guest Posted January 15, 2002 Report Share Posted January 15, 2002 Moni wrote<br><br>>? Is ashtanga the most excruciating form of yoga? <br><br>Quite possibly. Madonna got into it not long after publishing her notorious book "Sex". I suspect she got into Ashtanga because it is the only physical activity more painful than S&M.<br><br>Cheers,<br>DMCG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 I’m assuming you mean second series? Primary series is not THAT tough… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 ""I’m assuming you mean second series? Primary series is not THAT tough… ""<br><br>Ahhh, to be so flexible. Yes, for those that cannot do the first series, it is that tough. I have done a lot of physically challenging things in my days, nothing uber-man or anything, just what most people would consider tough. I've been to Ranger school while in the military, hiked up and down Mt. Whitney in 15 hours, trained for and done 10 and 15 k's in respectable but not competitive times, lots of different things that were hard. I feel as challenged in doing the first series as I did in any of those. Well, I was pretty wiped after the Whitney hike but I didn't train for that.<br><br>There is often a sort of myopia that goes along with physical challenges, I fall prey to it myself. It goes something like, "If I can do it, it's really not that hard." As in, "I don't see what the big deal is, baddha konasana is pretty easy, it's upavishta that's really hard" or any other combination along those lines. It may be easy for you, that's great. For most of us, though, it is hard. In fact, for many, doing the first will never even be possible. <br><br>I've never been able to find another activity that keeps me at a truely aerobic level of cardiac output for such a long period of time in the way that ashtanga does. Running doesn't, lifting weights, other hard activities, none of them. I've never done anything where I sweated enough that my clothes look like I have just jumped into a swimming pool, where after practice I can ring water out my towel that I put on top of my mat to soak up my sweat. It's plenty hard, thank you. After a year and a half I'm just now getting to the point where my flexibility has improved enough that my exertion levels are lower so that I don't overtly dread or fear each upcoming practice. Now, I doubt it's that bad for everybody, most probably come to the practice with more on the ball physically that I have, but I just wanted you to understand the perspective of us challenged folk.<br><br>And as far as second series being harder than first, my wife has done the first half and finds it easy compared to the first series. She just has the back and hip flexors that let her do that. Everbody has something they can do, and that they can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 My comment was only in response to “it is the only physical activity more painful than S&M.” That is a ridiculous exaggeration. Be that as it may, I do not consider myself superior to those individuals who struggle through the series. Some of the persistence I have seen demonstrated is quite admirable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 I'm very intrigued by what I'm hearing of asthanga yoga. I've learned what I know from TV and videotapes.. I think it's hatha yoga. Mostly Yoga Zone stuff. The problem is I NEED A CHALLENGE! I'm extremely flexible, have great balance, and stamina. Is there maybe a videotape out there that someone can recommend? I appreciate your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 Definitely David Swenson’s Primary Series tape. You can order it from his site www.ashtanga.net. The beginning segment is amazing; he is absolutely beautiful to watch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 "My comment was only in response to “it is the only physical activity more painful than S&M.” That is a ridiculous exaggeration"<br><br>If someone has to clarify for you that that was meant to be a humorous comment, well, its probably not worth the trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 Boy, feel the love in the room – back to business as usual! I was starting to get nervous with all the civility we’ve been seeing as of late. Where’s SPW when you need him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 >I’m assuming you mean second series? Primary series is not THAT tough… <br><br>Assume that I am joking.<br><br>DMcG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2002 Report Share Posted January 16, 2002 >My comment was only in response to “it is the only physical activity more painful than S&M.” That is a ridiculous exaggeration. <br><br>I'm sorry. I meant to say that Astanga is "the only LEGAL physical activity more painful than S&M."<br><br>Cheers,<br>DMCG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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