Early Mornings - a few changes

Namaste

Firstly, thankyou to everyone who has given such generous and open feedback about how we can improve your yoga experience with us. We have been blown away by some of the fantastic suggestions and time you have taken to help us out.

You will see already we have taken action based on your suggestions; a few plants, a waiting area, new floor, new timetable and are planning a workshop timetable for 2012 which should have something for everyone.

One of the requests that has come through is an opportunity for meditation uninterrupted, each day of the week.  We are keen to support this request as meditation and pranayama are essential to every yogi wanting to go a little deeper on their spiritual journey.  For this reason we ask that you respect the following:

MONDAY TO THURSDAY

• Early Asana Practitioners Welcome. Asana start must be before 5am or after 5.19am. This is to give uninterrupted silence to our early morning meditators.
• No entry to room between 5am and 5.20am
• Adjustments commence onwards of 5.30am
• It is desirable all practitioners commence prior to 6am

FRIDAY

• Early Morning Meditation 4.45am to 5.15am. All Welcome. Door Locked.
• 5.15 to 5.30am Door Open.
• 5.30am Door Closed. Class starts prompt at 5.30am. It has been too disruptive to the class having people come in after 5.30am.

Just a gentle reminder that if you leave your mat in the studio it needs to be in a mat bag or tied with a scarf or something similar. This makes it far easier for us when needing to move, clean or change things around.  Plus, we like tidy in our shala.

This Friday coffee is on Potts after class at Citrine. We hope you can join us...

Love Potts and D

ps Sara has an excellent children's program planned so if any of you have young, gorgeous ones, please bring them along next Weds 19th Oct for some fun yoga for kids.

http://www.sunsalute.com.au/timetable/

Bring on the Golden Age

Yoga is the process of stilling the mind; once upon a time this process was effortless and a still mind was

movement experienced by all. A very long time has passed, there has been change and this is no longer the case, the mind has become the biggest obstacle to humanity. According to Yogic history and philosophy, there are about four ages or phases in which the mind has changed or you could say degenerated over thousands and thousands of years; the ages shift from the golden through to the Dark Age and will cycle again and again. The phase of the golden age is fascinating as it is so far removed from the way in which the human mind operates today - in the Dark Age. The Golden age is believed to be how humanity started out. During this age the average person was connected to their true nature, they were one with the consciousness that is inherent in all. People of this time lived in harmony and peace with themselves and nature. Furthermore, during the golden age peoples’ minds were suspended (nirodha) - naturally still and at peace and only used when absolutely necessary. You could say that the mind was used like a muscle at this time, only flexed when there was work to do; otherwise, it was in suspension.

‘Men neither bought nor sold; there were no poor and no rich; there was no need to labour, because all that men required was obtained by the power of will; the chief virtue was the abandonment of all worldly desires. The Krita Yuga was without disease; there was no lessening with the years; there was no hatred or vanity, or evil thought whatsoever; no sorrow, no fear. All mankind could attain to supreme blessedness’. - The Golden age, also known as the Krita or Satya Yuga, as described in the Mahabhrahata (an ancient Hindu epic).

And so you can see just how different humankind was to how it is now, the absolute opposite to everything in that text is very predominant in the world today. This massive difference is due to the shift that has taken place through the ages. Very slowly over time people have moved further and further away from the true essence within and have been dominated by the mind.

Following the Golden age was the Silver or Treta Yuga. During the Silver age the mind had been somewhat distracted, however only as much that the average person had moved from stillness to a single point of focus and with help from their gurus could easily return to having a suspended mind. In comparison, having a single point of focus today requires a lot of concentration and is usually not sustained for long periods of time.

The Bronze Age or Dwapara saw the mind being distracted and occupied more and more, resulting in people being pulled further and further away from their true self. The distracted mind was now beginning to have difficulty understanding a person with a suspended mind, and needed a teacher to systematically explain what had to be done in order to achieve a still mind. As a result, the Bronze time saw the flourishing of philosophies and teachings of the yogic way. Over the thousands of years, this time saw some of the great teachers or masters including Rishi Kapila and Patanjali.          

Finally the Dark Age or Kali Yuga (the age we are believed to be in today) - according to yogic philosophy, the average person during this period has an infatuated mind (mudha chitta). This infatuation means that one is obsessed with one's own body, wealth, appearance and family relations. The mind in this age is materialistic; one believes that they are their mind and body. People have become so far removed from their true nature that even trying to understand the notion of the divine truth, consciousness, god, or whichever term you choose to use, has become very difficult. Humans have been reduced to understanding their existence as their bodies and minds only. Spiritual understanding has become a very rare phenomenon in this time.

However, in accordance with the yogic philosophy, the cycle will continue and there will be a new golden age at some point in time. In addition to this, it is believed that there is an ascending period and a descending period in each of the ages. These periods kind of mark the entering of an age and an exiting of an age. Taking into account that these periods span over thousands of years, it is exciting to think that we could be coming to the end of a dark age. There may even be some things happening in the world to suggest that we are in the descending period. For example, proliferation of the New Age spiritual, the greater awareness and change happening in terms of environmental care and impact, peoples sourcing natural health options, the prosper of organic/biodynamic, to list a few.

There seems to be shift happening in the awareness about spirituality and nature which is extremely appealing. Yoga is defined as the process of stilling the mind, and in such a fast pace, busy world that we live in today; through regular practise of yoga we have the opportunity to calm the mind, to attempt to focus the mind on a single point throughout a practise. Today, technology dominates, material things are highly valued and we are constantly ‘on the go’! Yoga teaches you to appreciate the little things, to find contentment with what you have. Furthermore, yoga teaches you to accept yourself more holistically, and enables you to work with the mind more peacefully – for example, the way you overcome the challenges you are faced with on your yoga mat in the morning can then be applied to the challenges you are faced with in life.

If the whole world practised yoga, the whole world would be a much more peaceful place. Bring on the golden age!!!

“Be the change you want to see in the world”. Gandhi

 

By Sara      

Teacher TRainee 2011

Introducing Carmela - teaching Weds 9.30am starting 19/10/11

Our Pulse Vinyasa Classes are new, different and unique to Perth so we had to go out and handpick one of the best yoga teachers we could find. We're stoked to have Carmela teaching every Wednesday at 9.30am starting 19th October. Awesome!

“Yoga has changed my life. It has awakened something inside of me that was dormant for many years. It felt like I was looking in from the outside, now I look outside from within. Yoga has inspired me to teach so others may experience the beauty and benefits of this ancient practice” she explains.

Check her photos out on our Facebook page

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashtanga-Yoga-with-Marc-Potter/181796648533285

How important is the breath?

As you probably know, yoga is widely recognised health wise in reducing stress, anxiety and depression and in lowering blood pressure. How so? It's the breath. While there are many different styles of yoga today, they all have one thing in common. The breath or Pranayama. Pranayama means "to control the breath" or "mastering the life force".

Pranayama leads to 10-15% higher oxidation of the blood, much more than breathing through your mouth. It also triggers a physiological response in the sinuses forming Nitric Oxide, which is involved in the function of the nervous system. It also helps maintain, repair and defend every cell in the body. Other benefits include: Blood Circulation, Pain reduction, Weight Loss, Increase in Energy, Reduction of inflammation, Improved digestion, Improved immune system, Aids in cancer prevention and Helps the brain.

These benefits of nasal breathing (nitric oxide) cannot happen when breathing through the mouth, It cannot happen even when hooked up to a respirator because nasal breathing is not part of the breathing process, and it cannot happen even when Nitric Oxide is added to a gas bottle to breath through the mouth. It only happens when inhaled through the nasal passages.

Yoga without Pranayama is just like any other form of exercise, but when you incorporate this nasal breathing into each movement, you achieve many amazing health benefits.

So remember, the mouth is for eating and the nose is for breathing.

by Karina 
Teacher Trainee 2011

A Note From Potts - new premises at 12 Stirling Rd, Claremont

After 6 years in Cottesloe we have outgrown the cosy studio in one way or another.  One of the reasons we have moved locations is so we can offer more yoga classes in a space that is dedicated to yoga.  A space with calmness and a space that will better serve our students.

I have been developing some unique approaches for very interesting workshops and classes that will be offered soon.  Some more varied styles and approaches to yoga will be offered to the wider non-Ashtanga yoga community as well.  Although some new young faces will be seen doing some of the extra classes, you will still see my old face every morning and most evenings.

As it is with some yoga schools, as they grow, the teachers owning the school are seen less and less.  This is not our way and we are very aware of the importance of a hands on approach.  My wife D does all the work behind the scene to ensure I can be in the studio as much as possible.  I did offer to swap rolls but I think we both know our children will starve if I am left at home alone.   

The studio is not yet complete and over time we will be doing some changes to make things more comfortable for you. The sitting or waiting area will soon be enclosed by a dividing wall from the yoga practice area.  The yoga floor is going to be covered by a nurturing floating floor.  Our timetable is going to expand as well.

Lookout For Some New Classes Soon

• Mid Week 9.30am Yoga Class.
• Wed 7.15pm Asana Technique Class
• Mid Week 3.45pm Kids yoga
• Sat am Pregnancy Class
• Week End Back Care Workshop
• Week End Second Series Workshop
• Restorative (Yin) Yoga Class
• Refresh Yoga Class

A yoga school is only as good as the students in it.  This is why we have an excellent school. I would like to thank all of our students, my fantastic teacher trainees, our dedicated contract teaches and D, for all your support and loyalty.

Sincerely

Potts                                                                                                         

Marichayasana D..My Nemesis

There are several poses in the Ashtanga Primary series that we measure our progress on, some of them being: Supta Kurmasana, Garbha Pindasana and my strongest opponent to date ….. Marichyasana D.  The former I can see slow and continued progress in my practice the latter, well frankly I’m stuck.  I remember it took me long enough to get to grips with Marichyasana B, learning to be patient as my tight hips began to open and battling with half lotus to finally get to the stage where my foot no longer hurt in the pose.  Managing to get bound in Mariychasana C was also a big learning curve, so when I finally got to grips with those two poses I thought Marichyasana D would be a natural progression, well was I wrong! 

Put the foot into half lotus - check, bending the opposite knee - check, starting to twist - check, and this is when it all starts to go wrong.  The length I had in my spine in Marichyasana C seems to have disappeared, and the minute I start to contemplate binding my body shrivels to half its size no matter how hard I try to keep my spine straight.  And I’m sure my arms shrink as the gap between my hands when trying to bind is enormous – and on my left side I can’t even get my elbow over the knee.  Maybe all this is the physical manifestation of how the pose makes me feel mentally, small and intimidated.  There have been times where I have experienced the full pose with the assistance of Potts who has taken pity on my struggles.  Potts manages to get me into the pose and I am literally gripping my fingers for dear life and using all my might to stay upright, as at any moment I feel if I let go I will all fall into a million pieces.  I do have to laugh when he says “breathe” … Yes Potts I would love to but it’s just not happening.

The theory is we combine Marichyasana B and C into a beautiful pose representing Marichi who is the great-grandfather of Manu ("man, thinking, intelligent"), the Vedic Adam, and the "father" of humanity.  Literally Marichi means ray of light. On my adjustment days in Mysore I have observed others go into this pose with absolute lightness and ease, looking peaceful and relaxed representing the pose in its fully glory.

Me … well I’m still looking for the ability to bind and breathe in the pose.  To quote the great Sri K Pattabhi Jois “Practice yoga and all is coming” and I have faith in yoga that it will come in time …

by Lou
Teacher Trainee 2011

To go or not to go...

Ever had every intention of getting to the yoga class and then it just doesn't happen. Ever then spend the rest of day disappointed in yourself for not going or does it not bother you?  When starting a daily practice of Ashtanga Yoga, sometimes it seems like the hardest thing in the world to come to class.  I mean how on earth can ANYONE get up at THAT hour of the day 5-6 days a week.  However, with repetition, it becomes easier and easier and before you know it you don't even think about not coming as it is such a part of your everyday.

A teacher once said to me"the decision to come to class is made the night before" and I have to say that in most instances (until you have small children and babies to keep you awake all through the night) this is most true.  Just decide the night before and then do it.

Make your life so that it supports what you want to do.  Refrain or limit your weeknight drinking, go to bed at absolutely no later than 10pm and have a positive attitude about the change you are introducing.  Those first few weeks/months in my experience are the hardest.  Now 10 years later I don't want life any different.  The quiet of the early hours is an absolute blessing and the day that follows a practice is always more peaceful, less stressful and more harmonious than one without.  you could say it really does get the 'Synchronicity flowing".   Personally, I prefer if I don't  have to speak until after I have finished my practice to ensure my mind has every opportunity to stay as still as possible until I need to engage with the everyday.


Until I had children, I found it very easy to go and hard not to go.  Even if I felt sick (eg flu) I found that going and just doing a small practice, such as standing postures only, was a positive thing for me.  However, if I couldn't contemplate going then staying home in bed was definitely the best option.  In the case of the mind however, ALWAYS go.  If you feel sad, or a bit funny emotionally, going to yoga in my experience will really help.  I have had other yogis who have suffered from depression or anxiety also tell me that the yoga was an excellent balancer and great reason to get out of bed and start the day.  Not only the yoga practice itself, but the strength and silent support from the early morning yoga students was a blessing unto itself.  At times like this, you really learn what yoga is all about.  Asana takes a back seat as you work through the obstacles the mind presents - going through this struggle can be hard but will be the best gift you can give to yourself.

The other problem with not going to class is that once you get in the flow of not going it becomes easier and easier not to go.  The downhill slide is fast and we have seen it time and time again with students.  The students who come the most have the best yoga and stick with it the longest.