A Tribute to Amiel Alcantara — Ateneo’s Angel

Today, Amiel Alcantara was laid to rest. I was unable to attend. Last night, my sore throat came back for the second time and my nose was congested. But I am glad that I was able to visit — yesterday.
I was not feeling that well yesterday either. My energy felt sapped. But there was an [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

The disaffection continues...

OK, since I got myself started, I find that I want to say more.

There is something else, something more subtle, about the Ashtanga practice that I find disturbing. And that is the teacher-student relationship.

In the traditional Ashtanga system, the teacher "feeds" each pose, one by one, to the student, based on the teacher's judgement of the student's .... of the student's what? Proficiency? Sure, it is supposed to be like that. But really now, isn't there much more to it than that? Teachers will withhold "the next" pose from students based on...based on what? Why will one student be allowed to move past Kapotasana, for example when she (me) can barely touch her toes with help, when another student will be required to grab her own ankles before moving onto the next pose? Why is a solo Karandavasana required of some, but not all, students?

What is it based on? Who can tell when the very act of ASKING a teacher this question seems to imply that the student is "grasping" for more poses? Is "attached" to the asana practice? Is focusing on the "physical", as if the physical isn't really the point. Because it is. It is a workout that with any luck will bring the practitioner into a meditative state. Except that at some point, anyone who has practiced Ashtanga knows that the meditative state is difficult when you are busy trying to demonstrate your proficiency to the teacher.

And about that. This hand-feeding relationship between teacher and student not only creates a need to demonstrate, or perhaps, "perform", but on a deeper level, it creates a neediness, as in:

• Do you LOVE me enough to give me another pose?
  
• Do you find me deserving?
  
• What are you thinking?
  
• Are you mad at me?
• Do you hate me because I blogged about you?
  
• Are you mad at me because I want the next pose?
  
• Do you love me because I bound in Marichyasana Whatever?
  
• Will you love me tomorrow if I can't bind then? If I put on a pound? If I eat meat? If I enjoy the occasional action movie or trashy magazine?
  

Who hasn't thought these thoughts? Really. Who?

Is any Ashtanga teacher really equipped to responsibly deal with this sort of transference? Did finishing X number of poses teach them how to be therapists? It's not the fault of the teacher though. It is the fault of the system, which encourages "performance" in order to progess on the linear path.

I'm not a freakin' Jedi. Do I really need to be treated like a Padawan?

I just want to move my body and feel good. The rest is "all coming". I adore the Primary Series and I adore the challenge of the poses which follow, of the vinyasas that make those poses even more challenging. But I find serious flaws with the system.

I wish wish wish that I could ignore the flaws, because there was a time, a good long run of it, when I adored the system, when I believed in it, when the transference was part of the challenge, part of the funny, when I didn't want a pose that I did not "deserve", that I had not "earned" the hard way. And I won't lie to you: if I had not been required to bind Supta Kurmasana before moving onto the rest of Primary, I might not be able to bind it today. But how important is that really? It was what I wanted desperately back when I was right smack in the middle of it. But now, it is hard to see where I was coming from.

The physical system makes good sense. When you can practice it. But when any part of it is withheld, what good is it?

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Loving Without Attachment to the Ego

The practice of non-attachment is an important element to attaining inner freedom. A primary practice of non-attachment is applying this to relationships. Alexandra Goldwell presents her insight, Loving Without Attachment to the Ego, by addressing how to approach love, relationships, and attachment as well as 5 tips for how to love fully without [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

A Tragic Accident in Ateneo (An Update-Feb. 26)

Today (Feb. 26) I read an update on what really happened to Amiel from the blogs of Cathy and Noemi, both co-founders of The Compassionate Friends (Philippines) – a grief support group for those who lose a child . Cathy and Noemi are parents who had to deal with their sons’ sudden deaths. The Philippine [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

A Tragic Accident in Ateneo

I was not about to blog about this as I still have a heavy heart. But I realize that LIFE has its happy and sad moments and both, combined, make up our human-ness.
My girls, who study in Ateneo, gave me a heads-up last night on the tragic car accident that claimed the life of a [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Carpal Tunnel and Yoga

Dr. Carla Cupido has posted a new Yoga Anatomy article, Carpal Tunnel and Yoga, on My Yoga Online. Dr. Cupido looks at the important aspect of preventing the development of chronic carpal tunnel conditions due to one’s Yoga practice and daily activities.
Knowing where your carpal tunnel is and its funnyction is important for those [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Filipino Bucket List

My dearest friend from Philly, Kathleen, posted this on her Facebook.
How intriguing! I have my own personal bucket list — but a Filipino version? Anyway, it seemed like funny to go down the list and check those I had done already and plan for those I haven’t. Why not do the same and send me [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

‘Heaven’s Butterfly’: A Friend’s Book on Helping Children Deal with Grief

Last Feb. 17, 2009 (Tuesday), I purposely went to Ateneo to finally meet (in person) a special online friend who was launching a book she and her daughter collaborated on. “Heaven’s Butterfly” was launched by Cathy Babao-Guballa and daughter P under the umbrella of Anvil Publishing — a Philippine first — a children’s book on [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Yoga Competition

This article on the recent 6th Annual International Yoga Asana Competition might be of interest to some readers… All I can say in response to this piece is, “What in God’s name is happening to yoga!?” yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Spa + Theater = BlueWater Day Spa Theater!!!

I have tried several spas. Some were disappointing; others were great experiences that wanted me yearning to go back.
I am a yogini so spas are a welcome winding-down treat after a really great, sweaty yoga class. Many times, the aches and pains I feel are immediately relieved by a great massage. I am an advocate [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;

Safe Wrists in Yoga Chest Opening Poses

My Yoga Online has posted a new Yoga anatomy article by Kreg Weiss addressing wrist safety and alignment in common chest opening yoga stretches. The anterior shoulder and pectoralis muscles present great challenges to our postural health as these muscles tend to be chronically tight. Yoga stretches utilizing interlaced fingers can be an effective [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Yoga and Lymphatic Circulation

My Yoga Online has posted a new yoga anatomy article by Kreg Weiss, Yoga and Lymphatic Circulation. Yoga exercises offer many healing properties including improved circulation of lymphatic channels. The lymphatic system is a network of channels that transport clear fluid called lymph and is highly linked to the circulatory system. The lymphatic [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Consider this a drive-by posting...

Back in school, have an exam Friday. I can't believe how much I enjoy being in school. Thought stats would be difficult. But it's pretty logical. And the profesora gives us a practice exam this week and goes over it with us, and I have a feeling that the entire universe of what will be on the test will be included in this practice exam. Reminds me of the way it worked when I took Micro-economics at Tufts. And that worked out quite well for me. I don't exactly have a photographic memory, would that I did. But close enough.

Practice is just kind of blah punctuated by less blah here and there. I'm pretty much just marking off the days until it's warm again. Until then, I have discovered that practicing right smack in front of my fireplace, with a fire going (duh), can help me get the tapas going. Still, even with that, it is hard to get going in the morning. I wake up creaky and sore and cold. And I can never seem to warm up unless I'm in the bath or in front of that fire. I hate winter. There, I said it. I hate winter. I love skiing, but I hate winter. I don't understand it either. It just is what it is.

Speaking of skiing, heading out west on Saturday. Back to the Canyons in Utah. Spent last weekend in Vermont and got the ski legs going. And I've been running hills here and on the treadmill. And hiking. So, I'm hoping for some good athletic skiing. Specifically, I'm hoping for some good tree runs. I don't know what it is about winding among trees, but I love it. Second favorite is bumps. Skiing trees is kind of like skiing bumps. But it leaves less options open - you have to turn to avoid trees. And I would say that my number one failing in skiing bumps is a failure to commit to my turns. So, that problem goes away when there are trees to tell you where you MUST turn.

What else? Let's see...sister-in-law's wedding was today. Really funny. Really happy she got married! Yay Jill! Really happy that I'm going to have family in Boston now! Me loves me some New England time. Not in February, of course, which is BRUTAL in Boston. But any other time.

And yeah, facebook is taking hold. More immediate gratification than blogging. And since I am more pressed for time lately, well, it makes sense. Plus, nothing new is happening in my practice. At all. Probably won't be for some time. Or ever. I'm at that infamous crossroads, where so many people quit. Primary is "conquered", and the rest of it just seems like an amplification of what has already been done. The excitement dwindles. But I don't plan on quitting. And I hope those don't prove to be "famous last words". But I don't plan on quitting, so there.

YC yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Yoga Hyde Clothing Review

We came across a great line of Yoga clothing by Yoga Hyde. Yoga Hyde offers a really great selection of pants and yoga tops that are stylish and affordable. We have been able to try both the women’s and men’s yoga wear and found their products to be high quality with attractive, complementary [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Ojas and Ayurvedic Medicine

My Yoga Online has posted a new article by Todd Caldecott, a Medical Herbalist and practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine. Todd’s article “Ojas: Ayurvedic Medicine and Energy” offers wonderful insight into the concept of energy flow and addresses what can improve and what can diminish this flow of vitality.
The concept of vitality or energy is [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Yoga Challenge to Beat Arthritis

My Yoga Online is proud to be supporting the Power of Movement 2009. On Sunday, February 22, thousands of Canadians will be striking their best downward-facing dog pose for Power of Movement 2009, the world’s largest yoga funnydraiser designed to celebrate mobility and raise money for critical arthritis research.
This year the popular yoga event goes [...] yoga; Yoga Poses; Health and Wellness;

Yoga Product Review: WAGS (Wrist Assured Gloves)

A lot of yogis, including me, experience wrist pain both during and after their yoga practice. The cause of this pain can be sloppy form in, say, Chaturanga Dandasana, repetition of vinyasas, or just plain old wear and tear. Fortunately, there are a number of products on the market that can help to relieve or totally eliminate wrist pain.
One [...] yoga therapy; Self Improvement;