The Language Of Yoga

A wonderful yoga teacher may not speak much English but he or she still communicates the essence of yoga to every single class.  Their lack of fluency in the English language does not deter them from teaching from the heart. They know me and are always there to help me develop at my own pace. They make challenges accessible, yet safe.  They bring forth my best, and I am constantly inspired by their humility, knowledge and their devotion to their yoga practice.  


I am blessed to have these teachers in my life.  May the Language of Yoga always lead them on their chosen path.  Om Shanti.

Bharath Shetty
Yoga India, Mysore, India

Yogacharya Ramesh Kumar
Mysore Academy of Yoga, India

Belinda Wong
Jiva Yoga, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

And the other great teachers whom I've had the honour of learning from, and practising with, thus far.  Bless!

Judy Krupp
The Yoga Room, Sydney, Australia

Peter Scott
Yoga Jivana, Melbourne, Australia

Noah Maze
Anusara Yoga, USA

Edward Clark
Tripsichore Yoga, UK

Dr Jacqueline Koay
Sun Yoga, UK, USA, Malaysia

(The Late) Vincent Tam
Jiva Yoga, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Karin O'Bannon
USA

Yoga Supergran

This morning's class had the usual post-menopause group of ladies.  Most of them are in their 50's, and they flock together before class to discuss what to eat for breakfast, think of breakfast during class, and are the first to roll up their mats and head off to the  coffee shop for a bowl of steaming, hot curry laksa after class.  Don't get me wrong... I love their enthusiasm on the mat (which matches their enthusiasm for food, food and more glorious food, which Malaysia is famous for).


As I led them into Bakasana (an asana that they've attempted in previous classes), the usual moans could be heard.  "I'm too old for this.... I'll fall on my face.... I have knee pain... my wrists are too weak... can aunties do this pose?"


And since nobody reported any injuries prior to class, I pooh-pooh'd at their moans and tried to put on my sternest face, as I guided them step-by-step into Bakasana.


And what do you know?  Everyone managed to come up to Bakasana, held on for at least 3 seconds before letting go.  With a huge grin, to match their wide, happy smiles, I said, "You all had it in you. Age is just a number".


Which brings to mind an article I read sometime ago, about the Yoga Supergran in Australia.... who's just an ordinary, dedicated yoga practitioner (and not like the Yoga Masters in the likes of B.K.S Iyengar and Krishnamacharya).


Yoga instructor, Bette Calman from Williamstown, Victoria, is 85 today, but is living proof that 40 years of a dedicated yoga practice keeps the body and mind supple and nimble.  She still teaches about 11 classes a week, and has the flexibility and strength in some of the gravity defying postures, that will put many a youngster to shame.  And as the bendy granny sums it, "You're NEVER too old. The body is a remarkable instrument.  If you keep at it, you'll get there eventually".


And it's this inspiring spirit, that makes her a legend.  


Here's Bette and her infamous pink jumpsuit, demonstrating some of her favourite asanas.

Bakasana (Crow Pose)

So, can Aunties do this pose?
Heck, yeah...even Grannies can!


Happy Weekend, everyone.
  

Inhale. Exhale. Repeat

With an exhale, came the month of May... along with sunny skies, evening thunderstorms and unpredictability on the mat.


It's been 2 weeks since I completed Module 1 of the Tripsichore-Jiva Yoga 500 Hours Teacher Training, and I'm still reeling from the beauty (and complication) of the Tripsichore Vinyasa practice.


As a 'newbie' who has never attended any of the Tripsichore workshops before, I came in 'cold', leaving behind any expectations (and judgement), and armed with only determination, an open heart, my mat and lots of towels.  


Tripsichore Yoga (pronounced "Trip-Sic-Uh-Ree" in the same sing-song tone as 'choreography') is a modern, contemplative style of Vinyasa Yoga that blends the movements of dance and theatre, with choreographed, intrinsic techniques and disciplines of yoga. The result? A beautifully fluid and artistic balance of breath, movement and asanas.

Edward Clark, founder and creator of Tripsichore Yoga led the training, together with his assistant Nikki Durrant.  Having only seen pictures of Edward on the internet, meeting him up close and personal on Day One was a rather intimidating experience.  He struck me, firstly, as an acrobatic performer as his toned and supple physique implied such.  His lean, well-defined, sinewy body and his wild shoulder-length blondish-silver hair suggested a visual oxymoron of 'modern-eccentricity'.  His accent was somewhat American, married with the vocabulary of an Englishman.  As a teacher of asana, he demonstrated more than just physically-demanding and challenging asanas, but a Teacher Training Program that was intensive and steep in the practice of mindfulness in the transition of the breath.  As a teacher of philosophy, he had a fresh, respectful yet unorthodox intake on Yogic Philosophy, which I found surprisingly insightful (especially having studied under old school Indian yoga masters where you would be struck by lightning if you were to merely giggle during a Philosophy class).


Module 1 carried on for 7 days, and with it, a practice that tested my endurance and tenacity.  It brought about the initial frustration of not being familiar with the different sequences (talk about unlearning the learned, and undoing the do!), but also a welcomed light at the end of the tunnel, when I was presented the opportunity to push new boundaries, and try new things I otherwise might never do.  

Eventually, when I started thinking of where I was "working toward" with the breath rather than just "going for the tricks", I started to embody the practice, and the initial struggle and feeling of 'woodenness' was replaced with a repertoire that was creatively fulfilling and expressive.  I started with an exhale.... and the breath simply led me to where I was heading.


The next couple of weeks will be full on practice, practice, practice, as we prepare for Module 2 which starts on 29 May.  I will probably be slowing down my entries here as I revert to good ol' pen and paper, as we're required to keep a Daily Journal as part of the training program (read : got to dust the covers of my Gita!!)


Curiosity only killed the cat, but if it gets better of you, and you'd like to sneak a peek into the monkey tricks I'll be trained in, in the Tripsichore circus this year, you can purchase a copy of the Tripsichore Yoga Uniquely Advanced Vinyasa with Edward Clark DVD available at www.pranamaya.com

Tripsichore Yoga
Uniquely Advanced Vinyasa with Edward Clark

Fun, tumbles, love and light always.
xx