anugraha
Yesterday was John Friend's 20th anniversary on the day he did a yoga demonstration for Gurumayi at her ashram in India. You can go to Anusara's website and see the 10 minute video. He says that he didn't know he was going to do a press up handstand right at the beginning of his demonstration. But he said that he felt held by grace, like a warm blanket, and grace lifted him and took him there, holding him. His demo is powerful, humble and inspiring. And knowing now what he was thinking and feeling then, makes the video even more resplendent.
Thus, I was moved to teach today on the theme of Anugraha, grace.
Anugraha breaks into two words. Anu is a prefix that means individual, an individual being. Also, an atom; atomic; elementary particle; that which cannot be further divided. Graha means to grab, to grasp, to hold.
Swaimi Shantananda writes in his sublime "The Splendor of Recognition:"
"...anugraha literally means, "favor, amiability, bestowing benefits, promoting a good cause. Thus anugraha involves what happens after something has taken hold of us, an image that suits the Western notion of grace: a divine gesture that takes hold of an individual in order to bestow favor on her" (Shatananda)
One time while studying with Sally Kempton, she equated the power of grace as a crocodile's jaws in that once it holds you, it simply doesn't let you go. So I taught today about cultivating grace. Creating a strong and powerful container with our alignment and also with our intention behind it. A sacred holding of our physical bodies and the light inside.
Theme: Anugraha
Focus: Muscular Energy
Highlights:
*Sharing John's story about his demo.
*Sequence:
Surya A
Lunge
Parsvakonasana,
Virabhadrasana II,
Trikonasana,
Ardha Chandrasana,
Handstand
Malasana
Bakasana
Bound Parsvakonasana
Pinca Mayurasana variation with palms up as if you are receiving boons from the sky
Lunge with knee down into lunge twisting into Parvrrta Parsvakonasana
Ardha Bhekasana
Eka Pada Rajakapotasana prep #1 with thigh stretch
Virasana
Ustrasana 3x
Eka Hasta Ustrasana (We did this one with a partner and so many people were able to touch the ground behind them!)
Urdhva Dhanurasana 3x
Eka Hasta Urdhva Dhanurasana
Janu Sirsasana
Parsva Upavista Konasana
Padmasana
Supine Twist
Savasana
Something to think about:
Left my notebook again, this time on purpose. I've done the work. Now just show up, I don't need to rely on my notes. Trust.
I have been teaching yoga for almost 9 years. When will I stop getting nervous?! My Goodness. I still get those butterflies in my stomach.
Anusara Poster Project Pose: Lunge- twisting
(going through the whole poster, one pose at a time)
PS. If you read this far, thank you!
And, tomorrow is my bday and I'll be teaching a practice. I'll be subbing for my friend Marc Holzman at the Hollywood Dance Center on Highland. The practice will be at 2PM. I think I'll teach all my favorite poses...
bye
Posted by Moving Through My Vinyasa at 11/12/2009 3:58 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Gurumayi John Friend
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Gurumayi John Friend
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