Guest guest Posted June 26, 2002 Report Share Posted June 26, 2002 I can only hope that one day I will be able to do what he has forgotten! I did get in line and I got a great big hug and kiss and a great photo with him smiling! I am grateful for the experience and for all he has taught my teacher. My teacher, has helped change my life through my practice and I can only hope that one day I will know enough to be able to share it with another. I am a better person when I practice. M > > funkybadlady [sMTP:no_reply] > Wednesday, June 26, 2002 3:25 PM > ashtanga yoga > ashtanga yoga guruji practice > > It is my distinct understanding that Guruji did not "stop practicing > asana because of a family tragedy." He practiced asana for > more than, I believe 40 or 50 years or so. He will be 88 years old > in a few weeks. > > Part of Ashtanga practice eventually involves pranayama > meditation and recitation of sanskrit texts. Students must > become physically healthy before learning pranayama because > of it's extrordinary power. It takes more time that we Western > students think it should take to "become healthy." Usually it > takes 5-10 years of daily asana practice. Students in the west > learn half of the primary series in a few months and they want to > know when they can learn pranayama and the intermediate > series. When you are ready, it will be revealed to you. Guruji > has a daily practice that takes about two hours or so, from what I > have been told, and then he teaches for four or five hours. It > involves prananyama and recitation and prayers, (probably for > the happiness of his family and students and the world, which > would include all of your sorry impatient, demanding, asses > wouldn't it?) > > He practices, as we try to, a spiritual program, which asks that > we do not stop practicing when the going gets rough. Rather, it > is the time when practice becomes deeper and more fruitful. I > am certain that this is what happened for him. > > I would be very surprised if a family tragedy would not effect a > spiritual practice. However, until we have practiced asana for 40 > years, we will never know what the next step will be until we get > there. > > Next time you are having trouble getting to practice, remember > that a sweet old man in M ysore, India who is your teacher, or > your yoga teacher's teacher (let's hope) has prayed for your > happiness, contentment and success already this morning > before you even woke up, and know that he really meant it and > wants you to be successful. > > I wouldn't hold your breath for another tour. Usually there is a > beginning group that only does up to navasana as well as a full > primary group. Also Guruji loves beginners. He is very attentive > to those having trouble and pays very little attention to the likes of > me who can do all of primary unassisted. We are a dime a > dozen. > > When you go to a Guruji workshop, get in line, say thank you and > ask him about his daily practice and when he stopped doing > asana. He will at least answer you with a smile. If all you get is > a smile, go ask Sharath. > > Peace and Love, > funkybadlady > > > > Sponsor > > > <http://rd./M=226014.2032696.3508022.1829184/D=egroupweb/S=170506 > 0955:HM/A=1000239/R=0/*http://ads.x10.com/?bHlhaG9vaG0xLmRhd=1025119514%3e > M=226014.2032696.3508022.1829184/D=egroupweb/S=1705060955:HM/A=1000239/R=1 > > > > <http://us.adserver./l?M=226014.2032696.3508022.1829184/D=egroupm > ail/S=1705060955:HM/A=1000239/rand=558672300> > > > ashtanga yoga > > > > Terms of Service > <>. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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