Do Your Thang

Dear Yogis!

Recently there was an Ashtanga Conference of celebrated teachers and something was said that fascinated me about Mysore practice – that 90 minute daily practice of unchanging Primary/Second Series postures that the devotees love. Everyone memorises and practices The Same Thing! Well, it looks like a new dawn is on the horizon!

I mentioned in my last Friday Yoga Email that David Swenson said: “When we’re all gone, Ashtanga will still be happening but who knows what it will look like”. Well… This is what gave my mind a twistie:  Mark Robberds, a teacher in Thailand said: “In our (Mysore) classes we’ll probably be more open to students developing their own practice. If they don’t want to follow the Primary Series or Intermediate Series, if they want to go off in different directions, then we’ll be more open to that. Whereas before, we were really within the system, trying to follow all the rules, and somehow that doesn’t feel right anymore”.

Ashtanga is/has been strict and some people really respond to that. Along with that strictness has been abuse, not just the type that makes it into the newspapers but perhaps abuse of someone’s sense of worth or ability. I’ve had teachers make disparaging comments about my practice. I know someone who gave up yoga because of comments.

The yoga world once revered older knowledge but that centralised power in the teacher and no one is in the mood for that anymore. Devotion to one teacher gave way to access of lots of exciting teachers and styles and swanky, sweet incense-smelling studios that offered everything. Yoga promiscuity! Inevitably things are lost with change but a whole lot of benefits replace them.

Zoom Classes 

Now that people have returned to the office, the new reason for working-from-home is to avoid traffic. Perfect for a Friday Five O’clock Finish and joining the end-of-the-week stretch. Come to class today at 5.00. For all classes and especially today, you can book here.

Yoga in the news 

The Argus has: Brighton and Hove "yoga centre capital of UK", report claims. ‘The Trendiest Towns and Cities Index, compiled by Ocean Finance, found that the city boasts the most yoga centres per square mile - with a whopping 89 across all of Brighton.’

FLOOD Magazine has a great article: A Somewhat-Scientific Look at 5 of the Best Yoga Records of all time. “What truly makes these yogic albums, though, is that celestial and ever elusive “awe” factor—that thing about music that you really can’t put your finger on, but just know when it’s right or when it’s not. The sum of all the parts of a record coming together in a sonic Big Bang and creating a response in our hearts and souls. To feel something real in ourselves in the moment as the transient notes dance around us and then poof into the ether. Music helping us experience ourselves.”

The Scarborough News has: Planet Patrol combines beach clean with free yoga sessions in Scarborough. ‘Planet Patrol, founded by eco-activist and world record holder Lizzie Carr MBE, is part of her ongoing efforts to eradicate litter from nature and provide ways for individuals to contribute meaningfully to the environmental crisis.’