ashtanga yoga ?'s about the mysore experience

August 11, 2004

personally, I do think you may want to practice as long as you don't have any

pain -- as soon as some pain comes up you stop immediately!

i work with some practicing yogis from Bangalore and they say to continue to

practice, but be care when you feel discomfort. In Mysore, I am sure they will

honor the body and its abilities and not force the body to do something it

should not do.

coolsons2229 <awomansspirit1 wrote:

Namaskar,

2 questions for the group:

I am flying to Mysore in October to practice Ashtanga for just one

month. I have a long way to go before I will have the primary series

down pat, and know that my practice will be "cut short". How short

is short? Will they stop you and send you to the finishing poses

room just because you cant make a bind, or do they let you go for a

while until you get to a posture that you are really struggling

with. I can not properly hold Janu Sirsasana C with out a block

under one of my hips so that I can get my foot and knee in proper

alignment. But then there are many postures that I can adiquatley

hold after that point.... Basically, at what point to they stop you?

Bad news for me... Since I have started Ashtanga,which has more of a

focus on getting the binds than other styles of yoga I have

practiced, my R shoulder is too flexible now and is constantly

subluxing to the point where it is difficult to keep engaged and I am

worried that it will either dislocate or tear a rotator muscle. One

of my practicing buddies even could see how far it comes out of the

socket and it divits. I had felt this coming on slowly and even had

my instructor back off on adjusting me into the binds. I could tell

he thought I was whimping out...Before my shoulder got as bad as it

is today, I informed him of my plans to practice in Mysore and asked

him what or how I should specifically approach my practice with my

particular physical concerns in mind. His answer was to just do it.

I understand that a lot of healing and answers are found in any

practice, but I am concerns that if I just keep "doing it" that I

this breaks the precep of " doing no harm/ non violence" and I plan

to give it a rest, which is hard to keep off of the mat, make an

appointment with a doctor, and get as much feedback as possible. To

be honest I am a little scared now that this is going on with my

shoulder...should I still go to India? Has anyone had this similar

physicall issue before? I would greatly appreciate any assistance

from this group! Thanks for all the great reads!

Vishva Devi

ashtanga yoga

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August 12, 2004

HI......I totally related to your letter...I too am heading to mysore in oct and

have a million questions......as well as some dubious body issues.......and I am

constantly struggling with the "how far to push it" thing..............I have

decided to stop thinking too much and just trust...........ultimately.....its

your body....and you can stop it when ever you want...I cant imagine Guruji

forcing you into a posture as your screaming in pain!!!! I keep reminding myself

that yoga is not a competition...its an individual journey for everyone...so

accept where you're at and enjoy........... (see you there??)

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August 13, 2004

Hi,

I'm very curious about your experiences there.

I often stretch too much as well. It just happens. The next day I can feel the

injury. Now I focus on just exercising yoga and not being perfect. I hope the

time will work for me and one day the postures will be better and better.

Greetings and have a nice time in India.

Alice

"deborah...." <parker_deb wrote: