Ashtanga Updates

Some updates at the studio, where I go to for morning Mysore classes. Door open at 6am, as opposed to 6.30am. In fact, I was told that if one really need to start early, one can turn up at 5.30am. Oh, and they are starting led classes on Sundays, starting this coming Sunday! Anyway, here’s an extract of the email I received from my Mysore teacher:

Hello,

We will be starting an ashtanga led full primary every Sunday 8am at Yoga Dynamics from 26th Sept onwards.
Also, mysore self-practice are now held at both Yoga Dynamics, Bangsar and Cinq Energies, Sri Hartamas. All classes taught by both Ganesh & Iiling.

Schedule is as follows:

Yoga Dynamics http://www.yoga-dynamics.com/index.html
Mysore Self Practice : Mon-Thurs 6.00-9.00am
Full Primary Led : Sundays 8.00am (ganesh will lead the class as taught at KPJAYI)
Ashtanga Level 1 : Sundays 10-11.30am

Cinq Energies http://www.yoga-dynamics.com/index.html
Mysore Self Practice : Mon & Thurs 11.30am-1.30pm

We hope to see you on the mat.

Love and Light,
Ganesh & Iiling Upadhyay
017-5740144
012-9101204

Also, there will be an Ashtanga workshop for those who are thinking of trying Ashtanga or just want to refine their practice. It will be held on Saturday, October 2nd. Please click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=143052935737739&ref=mf

(UPDATE) I forgot to mention this great teacher who is teaching from his home. He teaches Mysore classes on Saturdays. Please click on this link to access his schedule and how to book a class with him.

Backbends Progress

Practice has been going great. Sometimes it is not so regular (resting from mild injuries / discomfort, or from work, or just need a rest!), but in most cases, I'm averaging between 3 to 5 times a week practice.

Backbends - from my upward dog, one can see my hips are extremely tight. So, Urdhva Dhanurasana is definitely one of those asanas where I have to work hard on. First, here's a video taken during February 2009.


What I'm working on now is, in addition to the 3 UD, I would do 3 more - after a rest (and lots of mental psyching / faffing!), I would proceed with UD and then walk my feet in. I struggle with walking my hands in during UD, so the next UD is done with walking the hands in. Here's a video I took recently.

My body collapse when I walk my hands in. More work is needed on the hips, and bringing more weight to the front of the feet, and also keeping the thighs connected.

The last UD is done with walking the feet in again, focusing on standing more on the feet. Although when I look at the video, I hardly see any change!