Friday, September 21, 2007
Chanting is silly.
And that’s the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like it. My most recent DVD purchase introduced me to it and I gotta say: It’s kinda cool. First of all, there is something very soothing about doing an “oooohhhhmmmmmmm.” The deeper frequencies produced have a vibrating effect that is similar to the way bass feels from a nice sound system. When you stack your voice on top of others, it really feels like you’re making music. I would imagine The Three Tenors experienced the same unifying feeling as a room full of yogis getting there ohm on. The Sanskrit poems are cool too. While I have no idea what I am saying, repeating the verses helps my mind focus and prepare for the practice ahead. Actually, I don’t think I would like it as much if I knew what I was chanting. I just assume its something wonderful. I discovered this affection for chatting last night when I practiced from memory and a book, instead of a DVD. As I prepared my first Surya Namaskar, I was distracted by the absence of the chanting I was used to doing every night following my DVD. So I gave myself an individual ohm to get started. Chanting has its benefits, but I do feel a little silly chanting about a subject I am unfamiliar in a foreign language. No problem. I’ll take any opportunity to be silly.
It’s been a minute!
Looking at this blog, I just now realized I haven’t posted anything this month! We spent a week on vacation in NC where I have never been happier than when I was playing on the beach with my kids. I planned on visiting different studios during the week, but I sprained my ankle on the first day while I was playing in the sand. So no practice for me for a WHOLE WEEK!
And what difference a week makes. I resumed my home practice this Sunday with a Beginners Practice Ashtanga DVD and it kicked my ass. The combination of having a week off and my intense Bikram practice last month yielded me a relatively week upper body. The Bikram method doesn’t develop the upper body strength as much as some other methods due in part to the lack of Vinyasas which I really enjoy. So downward dog wasn’t as relaxing as it was before, when I was doing a lot of “Power Yoga.” Bikram is on hold for now. I absolutely love the practice but I am a little short on funds and I really want to take some Mysore style classes next month. Hence, I am practicing Ashtanga every night!
I want to take a moment to thank Peter at Bikram Montclair for his encouragement and his venue. Practicing at his studio has helped mature many ideas I have regarding yoga and the rest of my life. I have made some commitments this past month that would have been delayed, if I had not found such a good teacher and studio to match my needs. Namaste dude!
Last night I practiced the Ashtanga Primary Series for the first time. Davis Swenson’s book is awesome (thanks Whitney!)! I started at about 8 pm and before I knew it, I was dripping wet and the time was 9:30. Nicki Dione’s Beginners DVD was helpful in preparing my upper body and legs for the primary series as well as helping me memorize the opening sun salutations and some of the standing series. The book helped fill in the blanks of the standing series, plus introduce me to the sitting series. Good times.
The series is very difficult for me and it will take a lot of discipline to successfully complete it. Through this structured practice, I hope to recognize improvement more so than if I was bouncing all over the place with different methods like I have the past year and a half. Both Bikram and Ashtanga have a defined logical progression of asanas that generate heat and flexibility. Anyone who knows me would probably not describe me as “disciplined” so I find it a little ironic I am attracted to these methods.
Long story short: I am resigning to yoga. In a few years, I’ll be trading my cubical for a full time mat. The dichotomy of my corporate and domestic life is coming to an end. I’m not sure which path I’ll take but the destination is clear. My goal is to be a better person, husband and father. I am very fortunate to have a supporting wife, family and friends to help me along the way. Here goes.
And what difference a week makes. I resumed my home practice this Sunday with a Beginners Practice Ashtanga DVD and it kicked my ass. The combination of having a week off and my intense Bikram practice last month yielded me a relatively week upper body. The Bikram method doesn’t develop the upper body strength as much as some other methods due in part to the lack of Vinyasas which I really enjoy. So downward dog wasn’t as relaxing as it was before, when I was doing a lot of “Power Yoga.” Bikram is on hold for now. I absolutely love the practice but I am a little short on funds and I really want to take some Mysore style classes next month. Hence, I am practicing Ashtanga every night!
I want to take a moment to thank Peter at Bikram Montclair for his encouragement and his venue. Practicing at his studio has helped mature many ideas I have regarding yoga and the rest of my life. I have made some commitments this past month that would have been delayed, if I had not found such a good teacher and studio to match my needs. Namaste dude!
Last night I practiced the Ashtanga Primary Series for the first time. Davis Swenson’s book is awesome (thanks Whitney!)! I started at about 8 pm and before I knew it, I was dripping wet and the time was 9:30. Nicki Dione’s Beginners DVD was helpful in preparing my upper body and legs for the primary series as well as helping me memorize the opening sun salutations and some of the standing series. The book helped fill in the blanks of the standing series, plus introduce me to the sitting series. Good times.
The series is very difficult for me and it will take a lot of discipline to successfully complete it. Through this structured practice, I hope to recognize improvement more so than if I was bouncing all over the place with different methods like I have the past year and a half. Both Bikram and Ashtanga have a defined logical progression of asanas that generate heat and flexibility. Anyone who knows me would probably not describe me as “disciplined” so I find it a little ironic I am attracted to these methods.
Long story short: I am resigning to yoga. In a few years, I’ll be trading my cubical for a full time mat. The dichotomy of my corporate and domestic life is coming to an end. I’m not sure which path I’ll take but the destination is clear. My goal is to be a better person, husband and father. I am very fortunate to have a supporting wife, family and friends to help me along the way. Here goes.
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