Practicing to Feel Better

 Read on to hear the rest of Matt's great thoughts about the David Williams weekend-keeping it simple, beneficial, and for yourself!

Whether we are pointing a foot or flexing it, whether we are rolling around 9 times or 5 in Garba, whether we are doing the invocation together or call and answer, what’s the difference? The questions to be asked are so much simpler.  Does this teacher have my best welfare in mind? Do I feel better after each breath? Do I WANT to practice as opposed to HAVING to practice?

I understand and respect tradition, but if the tradition is not making you better, then you need to question it. There are certainly a lot of traditions that we no longer take part in that some crazy person came up with and then some “bad” person thankfully questioned.  

The bottom line for much of this for me is that it was so good to finally hear a senior instructor lay this out plainly.   I have often felt to be in a minority and jokingly called myself an “anti-ashtangi." I have, in fact, had my wrists slapped by other teachers telling me that this line of thinking is not Ashtanga and that I need to go to Mysore to “fix” it. Well, if injuring people and putting asana in a box so it cannot grow according to peoples needs is Ashtanga...then Ashtanga is not yoga and needs to be put into its rightful place in the gym. Ouch! Might have gone a bit far there--almost offended myself! To truly understand yoga, its origins, and its theory we should all read and re-read in order of their creation, The Upanishads, The Gita, Yoga Sutras, and The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, or in my line of keeping things simpler--just experience your practice and constantly question it!

“This calm of the senses and the mind has been defined as yoga.” -Upanishads

“Even as a burning fire burns all fuel into ashes, the fire of wisdom burns into ashes all works.” -Bhagavad Gita

“The practice of Yoga...must develop our capacity for self-examination...” -Yoga Sutras

“Hatha yoga is the greatest secret of the yogis who wish to attain perfection. Indeed, to be fruitful, it must be kept secret; revealed it becomes powerless.” -Hatha Yoga Pradipika (...this blog is for your eyes only and will self destruct in 15 seconds!)

Disclaimer:  All of the above is truly just personal thought and inspiration from Davids workshop meant to create thought and discussion. Nothing is meant in the least to offend or judge others who believe or feel differently. We all learn and are inspired by different approaches toward the same ends!  Practice inspired, simply, and compassionately!

And remember: “How can I practice today so I can still do this when I'm 100 yrs old?” -David Williams

Comments

[openid.aol.com/sfauthor]

Nice posting! Do you know about this edition of the Pradipika?

http://www.YogaVidya.com/hyp.html

[Danielle Russo]

Matt-
After having my foot surgery, a few things took place in my life that caused me to move back to Dallas for about a month. I will be back soon, and I cannot wait for this. But both in recovery, as well as in my own need for a calming mental state I have tried a few studios here in Plano. I understand that there are many types of yoga and ways to approach it. However, I was quickly disappointed with the teachers and the classes here. It felt like breath work, focal points, and lengthening took a back-seat to pushing yourself to achieve more than your neighbor. It was astonishing to me. It made me realize how grateful I truly am to have taken part in YogaYoga. Your dialect through the classes you teach truly has allowed me to learn about my personal goals inside class, and within life. I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your ability and thoughts and letting each individual mold themselves to fit their own personal needs. I will be seeing you soon.
Danielle Russo