Lizzie for Free : a yogi's blog
The Free State of LizArchive for anusara
Day 28, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
For the forth time this week, I’ve been denied engaging actively with my body. The universe is nothing short of blatant in telling me to back off asana practice for now, as much as my preferentially attached mind wants to hit the mat and engage with the physical. Taking from Pema Chōdron’s analogy, I have had an itch (to practice asana), and my mindfulness practice has been becoming aware of that, acknowledging it, and staying with it without scratching. Instead, I’ve surrendered to letting this path unfold.
Today I attended Zhenja’s 4 hour workshop for teachers with the theme of Puja, assuming for there would be an aspect of asana practice as I heard the previous weekends’ workshops with Zhenja were quite asana intensive. Instead, it was a four hour exploration of the concept of puja and the Anusara method for creating puja in a class. It was quite interesting to gain insight into this style of yoga with such a structured framework and language of its own, and valuable as an exercise for creating focus, rationale and sequencing relevant to a class’ esoteric focus.
The best part of the workshop was Zhenja herself. Intelligent, down to earth, authentic and energetic, Zhenja was present throughout the entire workshop as an approachable, passionate, inquisitive yogi, ambassador to the Anusara method and disciple of Jon Friend. There was no posturing, just respect and palpable love. Even towards the end when energy began to drop, Zhenja made her way around to the smaller groups to help regain the focus.
Meanwhile, my experience of Anusara yoga continues to unfold. I’m challenged by the shiny, contemporary packaging of the ancient teachings and practicing reserving judgement…after all, these newer methods are devised in part to articulate the vastness of the history and teachings of yoga in a more approachable way. Watch this space….and tomorrow, the 29the Day of the Yoga Challenge, holds a wild card; let’s see where the practice and the challenge lead me…
Day 27, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
The universe has been sending me signals this week, and I’m receiving them…maybe unable to interpret them fully, but receiving them nonetheless.
First, the two classes earlier in the week that focused heavily on pranayama. Then yesterday at my regular Rolfing appointment when I showed up very eager for deep bodywork, and my rolfer decided it was the time to instead have a somatic experience session that left my body largely untouched. The idea behind somatic experiencing is that trauma that isn’t fully dealt with emotionally gets left behind in the body, building up over time, even being the catalyst for illness and other physical, mental or emotional problems. Through somatic experiencing one becomes more aware of the physical sensations in the body, ultimately aiding in the letting go of the held traumas.
Today when I was late for the class I planned to take at Triyoga, Leila Sadahee’s class was right under my nose at Indaba – lucky me! Leila, fresh from her trip to Peru, spoke about her time with a shaman in the jungle who sees the human form as a series of shapes based on energetic flow and blockage rather than at face value (no pun intended). The class was focused on yoga as a healing medicine, with the theory that when engaging specific areas of the body this can lead to a shape of health rather than disease. Billed as a hip opening class, it was not immensely challenging physically and not obviously hip-opening, but certainly strengthening with great alignment instruction. To add to this, Leila is a passionate and compassionate teacher who is captivating and charismatic. If you love Anusara but haven’t been to Leila’s class, make the time – this is a special and gifted teacher.
Having said this, of my handful of Anusara classes and workshops I’ve attended so far, none has resonated with me on a deep personal level, despite enjoying the practice. I am planning to go to Zhenja De Rosa’s workshop tomorrow and have heard wonderful things about her, so maybe tomorrow my world will get rocked by Anusara. At the very least, I expect another hint from Ms. Universe soon…
Day 13, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
My practice schedule changed today as I was unable to attend Elinore Burke’s Astanga class at the Life Centre, Notting Hill. I did make it to Bridget Stacey Luff’s class at Indaba Yoga Studio where she has been covering Leila Sadahee’s 1:30-3pm class for several weeks.
A small, mixed-level class, Stacey introduced the theme of Saraswati, the goddess of Flow (and knowledge, arts, music, science and technology). She suggested we use the breath to keep flowing throughout the class, and offered us a lovely flowing asana sequence based on her theme.
To accomodate the range of student’s abilities, Stacey gave the class lots of variations and options to increase or decrease the class’ challenge, and we practiced a variety postures such as vrksasana, parsvabakasana, parivtti utkatasana and parivritta hasta padangusthasana.
During savasana Stacey chanted the Anusara invocation, and i was convinced there was an angel in the room. She has an A M A Z I N G voice.
Tomorrow I hope you can join join me for Claudia Dossena’s class at Indaba from 11:15-1:15pm. Happy Friday the Magic 13th!
Day 2, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
I attended a class at Triyoga Chelsea today with Keef Miles as day 2 of my yoga challenge. I don’t often attend classes at this studio, and always find it interesting when returning to a place after some time what is brought to my attention. As with the my other visits, the stark whiteness of the space struck me.
Approaching the first floor, however, the cafe, it’s long community table and store are inviting and spacious, and the open windows are particularly spectacular on a day like today with blue sky and light pouring in. I thought for a brief moment of browsing the shop and having a cup of tea before remembering my class was due to begin at that very moment.
When I approached the front desk it’s a pity I felt so rushed by the front desk staff to hurry to get into the room. In fairness, I did arrive right at 13.15 as class was starting, but the emphasis on getting into the class as fast as possible wasn’t necessary as I didn’t actually miss any more than a minute of the dharma talk. Personally, I find feeling hurried inside a yoga studio’s doors a bit like turning up to a restaurant with no food available to serve. The very purpose of attending a yoga class is to slow down, to create space and to leave the rush of everyday life behind.
Keef was a kind and knowledgeable teacher and the class felt well-sequenced. We did several different partner postures which felt great even if a bit on the touchy-feely side (stand face to face with your partner, close your eyes, outstretch your arms, open your eyes and give each other a hug). While I didn’t recieve any adjustments myself, I heard Keef helping others who most needed it without impeding on the speed or dynamic of the class. The only comment I would make is that for an hour and 15 minute level 2-3 class, the number of partner postures slowed the class down to what felt like a level 1-2 class, although variations were available for more advanced practitioners. It’s a pity there were no inversions at all and only 1 seated posture. Having said this, I haven’t taken many Anusara classes so am not at all informed of what a regular 2-3 level class is like and what asana prerequisites, if any, there are.
I’ll be back to Triyoga Chelsea later in the month, and hope to have a chance to practice with Keef again in the coming year.
Next up: Dynamic Yoga all levels with Mimi Kuo-Deemer every Tuesday at the Life Centre Notting Hill (just after my Jivamukti yoga class from 12.45-2pm!)
Day 1, Lizzie’s 30 Day Yoga Challenge
Tonight I went to Simon Turner’s class at Indaba Yoga Studio, 4-6pm every Sunday. I admit it, I’m a bit biased as a teacher at Indaba, but it’s always such a pleasure to practice there. The people are welcoming, the studios spacious and the teachers are top notch. Simon is no exception.
I brought along my husband who doesn’t practice regularly, and he was very comfortable in this 2 hour, general level class with something to challenge even the advanced Iyengar practitioner. I love Simon as a teacher for his self-depreciating humour, precise alignment instruction and ability to make his rounds around to everyone in the class.
Next up, Keef Miles at Triyoga, Chelsea, 1.15-2.30pm every Monday.
Interlude with Lisa Sanfilippo
My friend, fellow yogini and colleague from Indaba Yoga Studio and the Life Centre, Lisa Sanfilippo, was featured in this article in the Telegraph. If you haven’t had a chance to practice handstands with her outside or on planes, then at least check out her amazing Wednesday night Bhakti Blast class with live music courtesy of Jason Kalidas at Indaba Yoga Studio in Marylebone.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/health/nivea-pure-natural/8603539/nature-art.html
Happy, heartfelt, Anusara!
