Ashtanga Yoga Practice & TM Meditation

My first recollection of my introductions to yoga was watching my mother practice Hatha Yoga, when I was small. I loved watching her do shoulder stand and plough pose, in our sitting room, while I sat on the rocking chair. She told me it was very good for your health, and like many forms of movement, it fascinated me. I began to take classes around the same time I began to learn bellydance (2002) but my obsession for dance soon removed any other discipline from my life as I dedicated every spare moment to learning how to execute those moves. But I knew I would come back to it and sure enough I did. Fast forward to 2007 and I had made time to squeeze in yoga again.

I started with Iyengar and formed a deep connection to my teacher, who I firmly believed had achieved ‘Samadhi’ (enlightenment). She had such a beautiful outlook on life, and made the yoga class one of the most relaxing, educational and enjoyable activities that I continued learning from her, for the next few years.  I basked in her calmness. I listened intently to her instruction and always looked forward to hearing her feet pitter-patter around the wooden floor, adjusting people to help them relax for savasana. She inspired me beyond belief in her passion for her Iyengar practice. Like all great teachers. However, it wasn’t until I moved location and her class was no longer reachable for me, that I discovered my love for Ashtanga.

I started practicing the Ashtanga method in 2012. In 2013 I spent a month in Dharamsala, India, completing my RYS 200 hours certification in Ashtanga/Vinyasa Flow Yoga. And although I have decided not to teach yoga, it has given such depth of knowledge in areas I wasn’t too well versed in prior to my training, such as the anatomy & physiology, meditation, Sanskrit chanting, and philosophy, which I devoured. Learning about the 8 limbs, gave me such insight, and such focus. The experience is still with me. I have held on to it. It was magical. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

In summer 2015 I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop with Manju Pattabhi Jois, a direct connection to the source, whose very own  Father brought Ashtanga to the West. I also I went to Copenhagen to take a weekend workshop with another one of my yoga heros, Kino McGregor. One a good week, I am in the Ashtanga Yoga studio four days a week practicing Mysore style.  I will continue to invest in the ancient, spiritual practice that has given me back so much for as long as I possibly can.