Muscle/Strength/bulk/etc + teaching and modifying

[Guest guest]

I've been pondering a lot of the emails I've read in the digests I get from

this list... and altho' I'm not sure I can eloquently put my thoughts in to

words, I'll try.

 

First, years ago I ran a lot and lifted weights besides doing yoga, and I'm

glad I gave long distance running and weight lifting three years ago. I do

run a little now and then, but it's just because I love getting out in the

early morning to see and be with nature.

That said, with a regular ashtanga (or vinyasa if that word better fits it)

practice, I know I'm stronger now than I've ever been, and yet my body is

smaller. EG., I weigh more now than when I was 13 years old [only realized

this at my last doctor's appointment b/c I don't weigh myself], and I wear

clothes that are several sizes smaller. Therefore, ashtanga yoga hasn't

"bulked" me up, although my muscles do show. I don't think about it

really....

 

I enjoy being active, and my job requires that I am, and my ashtanga

practice enables me to live my life this way.

 

Now on to teaching.... If Pattahbi Jois has a copyright on "the way" to do

the physical practice of ashtanga (the asana limb of the 8 limbs), and he is

the only one allowed to modify the asanas, then so be it. I respect his

teaching. I also respect the teachings of others.

 

I also believe that there are a million ways to enlightenment, and there are

many forms of yoga. Some "modified" forms of ashtanga have been given

different names, and some people judge them as invalid. I don't think they

are. They're just different, and they will attract different people. I can

agree to disagree on that point. If people who follow Jois's teaching

exclusively believe their way is the right way, then again, so be it.

However, I don't see people as "wrong" when they don't do it perfectly his

way. That is, I respect many yoga teachers who have found their own ways of

teaching - just as the creators of ashtanga (and tai chi and ...) did when

they created ashtanga. If the teachers today who modify the original

practice of ashtanga need to call it something else (eg., "vinyasa yoga") in

order to not infringe on Pattahbi Jois's "copyright," then that's fine.

Imho, that doesn't invalidate their teaching, or make their teaching

harmful. If some people think it does, then fine. I disagree.

 

I know Jois has changed a few asanas over the years. I'm curious as to what

people think the people who studied with him many years ago should call

their practice? "Original ashtanga?" For example, I know that the practice

David Williams learned back in the early 70s is not exactly the same as the

practice as it is taught now. Same with David Swenson. Is the one that is

taught now the valid one? I don't think Jois would say either one is the

"right" one, but of course I'm guessing.

I remember hearing someone ask David Swenson about how his teaching differs

from Jois's teaching, and he just said that, whenever he's talked with Jois

about such things, Jois gives him his blessing.

 

There are so many forms of the physical practice of yoga, and I know people

who practice some of these different forms. I trust that they are finding

and using what is right for them in this lifetime. My practice (ashtanga or

not) is no better or worse than theirs. It just is.

 

Hope this puts my thoughts in to some sort of order.

 

Peace.

~hmm~