tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796354866116498246.post2323427562387061629..comments2023-05-08T04:14:52.129-07:00Comments on THE RELUCTANT ASHTANGI: AstangaKaivalyahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08706519542278960007noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796354866116498246.post-85223632418482133652010-09-03T19:51:32.018-07:002010-09-03T19:51:32.018-07:00From what you've written about DR, I think you...From what you've written about DR, I think you could practice with him and be standing up on your own in no time. He sounds like someone who can tune into you as an individual and give you the direction and encouragement needed. Maybe give it a try for a month or so and see if you can't be on that Intermediate train again!Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11185066123168375209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796354866116498246.post-55685090223365658302010-09-03T08:41:48.292-07:002010-09-03T08:41:48.292-07:00Awww you wouldn't have to treat but it'd b...Awww you wouldn't have to treat but it'd be fun to meet in person for sure.Boodibahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947899197251310681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796354866116498246.post-55888874005925312792010-09-03T08:09:53.599-07:002010-09-03T08:09:53.599-07:00@alice
Thanks for reading! It's fun to do pose...@alice<br />Thanks for reading! It's fun to do poses from other series I haven't yet been 'given'. I occasionally go to studio classes that incorporate these and, of course, I teach many of them in my Hatha classes too. :-)<br /><br />@Shanna<br />Thanks for offering a few tips! I don't think fear is as much an issue for me since I started dropping back regularly. I do work with a wider stance in my dropbacks and find it helpful. I think my backbend is deep enough to stand up.<br /><br />The main issue may be strength and mechanics, which is why I'm hopeful that working these 2nd series poses will give me the little 'boost' I need.<br /><br />@Anonymous<br />'Political' was probably a poor word choice on my part, but I'm going to stand my ground about the 'divide'. It's there. <br /><br />The 'gateway' for Intermediate varies from teacher to teacher, place to place (Boodi's comment addresses this) and though it may not affect the 'core of the practice' as a whole, it does affect the experience of individual practitioners.<br /><br />I take no issue with teachers who teach as they are taught. It's up to each teacher to decide for themselves what their responsibility to the lineage is vis-à-vis the realities of the students in their room.<br /><br />I'm not demanding that any teacher bend to my idea of what my practice should be. I respect the rules of the teachers I've studied with. That's precisely why I'm practising at home for now.<br /><br />I'm just trying to do what's best for me and my practice - that's my focus. I'm listening to my body, trying to learn from my daily practice and to grow. For me, that *is* the point.<br /><br />@Boodi<br />Hey, I could always just move to NYC, then you and I could go for a coffee. Latte! My treat! :-)Kaivalyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08706519542278960007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796354866116498246.post-88826385490176617842010-09-03T07:10:17.248-07:002010-09-03T07:10:17.248-07:00It's pretty funny because NYC style Astanga is...It's pretty funny because NYC style Astanga is pretty aggressive and "regulation handbook" compared to other places. California style is pretty loossey-goosey by comparision, for example. However not one of my three, main teachers here adheres to the standing from wheel before 2nd rule. It's just too hard for those of us who are not natural back benders.<br /><br />The tendency here - with Greg, Chris & even John - is to feed people 2nd until Kapo and then work with them there until they are ready for dropping & standing.Boodibahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13947899197251310681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796354866116498246.post-67985203611210675092010-09-03T06:12:37.841-07:002010-09-03T06:12:37.841-07:00With respect, I believe this divide people refer t...With respect, I believe this divide people refer to to is not a reflection of what actually exists in our local communities. DR teaches as he has been taught and he transmits the practice as closely to that as he can. So do the Ds. There's no divide between them and I do not think it is accurate for us to cast minor differences in teaching as political. In my view, they do not affect the core of the practice. Whether one teacher would have me practicing pasasana now and the other three months from now is immaterial. <br /><br />This isn't directed at you personally. I know you are just repeating the commonly accepted position that we as a community repeat again and again. If I may be frank, I think we are totally missing the point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796354866116498246.post-86192564152330282652010-09-03T05:23:05.790-07:002010-09-03T05:23:05.790-07:00The biggest issue that keeps most students from st...The biggest issue that keeps most students from standing up and dropping back in wheel is fear. Do you think you are afraid?<br /><br />Another thing is distance between the feet. I know that people say your feet should be parallel and hip distance apart but a lot of people just need more space then that. As they get more proficient, the feet walk in. The wide stance is usually safer on the knees especially for women. <br /><br />Another thing is trying to keep the feet down. Again, when you first start, your feet don't have to be flat.<br /><br />I don't know if these have anything to do with you but I wanted to through it out there.<br /><br />Shanna<br />http://www.wellnessfrominside.typepad.comShannahttp://www.wellnessfrominside.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5796354866116498246.post-58392576542060790622010-09-02T22:28:47.439-07:002010-09-02T22:28:47.439-07:00I'm excited to hear more! I have never experie...I'm excited to hear more! I have never experienced the Astanga community/drama but I love the sequence. I practice with an ex-Astangi who incorporates poses from all the series in her classes... makes the limitations seem arbitrary, but I admit I like the idea of "earning" a pose. As always, thanks for sharing!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17793597452889292008noreply@blogger.com