Saturday Morning workshop with John
I was at John Friend's workshop yesterday, volunteering and taking it, so I spent the whole day there from 7am to 7pm. When I got home last night I was too exhausted to write. So here are my thoughts from yesterday's workshop staring with the Universal and then a more personal entry.
The Universal
Yesterday John used the theme of kundalini. Kundalini literally means "the coiled one" and it refers to how shakti coils up at the base of the spine like a snake. We as yogis, with discipline, try to create a strong enough vessel so that when the energy opens and releases to the crown of the head we can sustain the opening. John is chock-full of radiant facts about energetics, philosophy, history. He has such a vast landscape of knowledge, that I often will research some of his allusions and to my delight end up learning so many interesting facts which help support my teaching.
He promised everyone in the room- in both Mixed Level workshops and the Intermediate/Advanced workshop that we were all going to have an opening. He alluded to the idea that light crystallizes thereby creates form and that spirit is condensed matter. He kept reminding us to the see light in everyone, instead of just the differences.
I audited the second session of the Mixed Level workshop and was able to write the entire sequence.
It was a hip opening session:
Uttanasana
Lunge with the back knee down, forearms on the inside, bow down...
Pigeon
Parsvottanasana
Uttanasana
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana with the back knee down
Baddha Konasana
Janu Sirsasana
Upavista Konasana
Parsva Upavista Konasana
Supine Tadasana
Supta Padangusthasana
Supta Pdg. with the leg to the side
Supta baby cradle
Janu Sirsasana
Ardha Matsyendrasana
Triangamukhaikapada pashimottanasana
Marichyasana #5
Uttanasana
And instead of just writing the sequence down, I was really trying to see how John was teaching. I noticed he had the students in the poses for a LONG time- maybe two minutes each side. I noticed how he doesn't immediately start with alignment but usually with an inspiring fact/talk about oneness. He is so funny, he really gets people to soften- it's all first principle. Then he brings in the other principles and they are so clear, each one of them. He really gets people to engage so that they can have an opening, in every pose. Every pose matters. He is the best asana teacher I've ever studied with, a true master. And one of the funniest people I know!
The Personal
I've been feeling a little tired after four days of intense yoga! In this workshop, unlike the Advanced Intensive, we are not practicing silence. Which is totally fine- it was a blast to see so many friends, so many fellow teachers, so many students under one roof.
That said I had an insight- I was practicing next to a lovely yogi/friend/student and at one moment she said that she was tired. I said as a way of empathy and also because it was true "oh, I'm tired too." And then later she repeated it and I repeated it as well: "yes, I'm so tired." And then it hit me- the more I was repeating it the stronger I was making that thought in my field. Unlike the Advanced Intensive where I wasn't chatting with others, I suddenly realized that what we say really matters as it helps strengthen (or weaken) our field of energy. I decided to not feed into any negative thought for the rest of the workshop as an experiment.
Whatever we say, we start to believe. Of course there are moments when we are tired or sad and we need to honor them.
But I also think that often we just chat and speak in excess, and what we say matters. What we say has an effect. I've been thinking of the friends I have who always have something to complain about. I have even more compassion for them because I know how easy it is to get to that place.
I hope this make sense.
That said- I'm tired today! And I am glad in a way, that I won't be at the workshop today so that my body can rest.
And of course I am also so sad to not be at the workshop with all my friends, practicing with my beloved teacher.
It's my turn today to teach at Black Dog Yoga's Teacher Training. Although I will miss being with John one more day, I cannot wait to see the trainees and share with them all this wonderful knowledge, and be of service.
Jai John!
Beautiful! These blogs are teachings in themselves. They are also so uplifting and inspiring: a balance of the goddess trinity.
Black Dog Yoga is so smart and blessed to have you on their faculty. Om Namah Shivaya ॐ नमः शिवाय
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would you mind if i link to this post from my blog (thejoyofyoga.blogspot.com)? would be obliged
cheers!
emma
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love your blog
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Hi, I'm here via Emma's Joy of Yoga blog. I have done some Anusura, but there isn't a lot in the UK. I do love it though and I love this sequence.
Namaste
Rachel x
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great blog,have a happy time!
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