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shivas.wisdom
בּ




Registered: 02/19/09
Posts: 13,424
Loc: Turtle Island
Last seen: 6 minutes, 47 seconds
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I'm nowhere near accomplished. I still consider myself a beginner.
But I have progressed enough to perceive the improvement in my daily life and while meditating. Enough to convince me to practice further, which will surely give me more benefits, and the cycle will go on.
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Platinum
Psychonautical Engineer




Registered: 06/04/08
Posts: 7,575
Loc: New York
Last seen: 5 months, 3 days
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Quote:
yogabunny said: it always boggles my mind that so many western men have this gender based insecurity about practicing yoga postures. mainly because it's a practice that was started like 5,000 years ago in India and was practiced by ONLY men, for a very long time.
if i were you i'd tell your ego to HUSH, and listen to your intuition.

Well, it's not so much that I think yoga is for girls, becuase I really couldn't give a shit about that. What I'm anxious about is I associate yoga with tight fitting clothes, and I'm relaly tall and skinny. I'm 6'5" and I weigh 155 lbs. Like... my ribs pop out on the regular. And I also have long limbs obviously, I'd say I'm on the cusp of being lanky.
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MOTH
Wild Woman


Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 23,431
Loc: In the jungle
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You'll probably notice physical gains rather quickly, I would imagine.
(Not that yoga is all about the physical, but let's face it, asana makes the body beautiful.)
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JCoke
dream observer



Registered: 02/17/04
Posts: 1,229
Loc: maryland
Last seen: 9 years, 21 days
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Re: Yoga [Re: MOTH]
#12056496 - 02/18/10 08:02 PM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
MOTH said: (Not that yoga is all about the physical, but let's face it, asana makes the body beautiful.)
I once heard a yoga teacher say that doing yoga for the beautiful body aspect is what the ego desires, in such case drop the ego and you will see yoga for connecting you with the devine, which is it's ultimate goal, I think were on the same page.
-------------------- hello, your name is life on earth ------------------------------------
"I traveled a long way seeking God, but when I finally gave up and turned back, there He was, within me! O Lalli! Now why do you wander like a beggar? Make some effort, and He will grant you a vision of Himself in the form of bliss in your heart." -the saint of the Kashmir Shaivism tradition: Lalli.
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MOTH
Wild Woman


Registered: 06/06/03
Posts: 23,431
Loc: In the jungle
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Re: Yoga [Re: JCoke]
#12056721 - 02/18/10 08:38 PM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
JCoke said:
Quote:
MOTH said: (Not that yoga is all about the physical, but let's face it, asana makes the body beautiful.)
I once heard a yoga teacher say that doing yoga for the beautiful body aspect is what the ego desires, in such case drop the ego and you will see yoga for connecting you with the devine, which is it's ultimate goal, I think were on the same page.
I figured someone would mention that doing yoga for the beautiful body aspect is what the ego desires, but that's hardly the only reason I personally practice yoga and it's a benefit that most people are aware of because we all have ego's. I tend to lose my ego when I practice yoga, that's why I do it to begin with.
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yogabunny
fancy cat



Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 11,281
Loc: Nasty Women Get Shit Done
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ok i have to throw a mini tantrum here.
strictly asana is not "missing the point"!!! it's just one door into the larger practice(s) of Yoga. and a mighty good one for westerners to connect with, i might add. i was listening to this keynote speech robert thurman gave a yoga journal conference and (i am totally going to butcher his beautiful and humorous words here) BUT he said something along the lines of:
so what if people come to practice asana and just view it as calasthenics, or what have you, so WHAT? at least they are doing yoga, and after a month or a few months or a year, the person will be able to feel the practice manifesting in their subtle body and subtle mind.
it's tangible. you can feel the body changing (when practiced regularly with some passion and dedication). that's one HUGE lesson i learned from my teacher training. no matter what brings someone to the practice, the benefits WILL come.
of course it's good to know that asana is just ONE practice of the greater yoga philosophy.
DimensionX I recommend "yoga, mind, body, spirit" by Donna Farhi, she describes the most essential poses in GREAT detail, offers modifications for various injuries etc, and gives a taste of philosophy. also she gives a bunch of different sequences at the end of the book.
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yogabunny
fancy cat



Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 11,281
Loc: Nasty Women Get Shit Done
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Re: Yoga [Re: JCoke]
#12056748 - 02/18/10 08:43 PM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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Quote:
JCoke said:
Quote:
MOTH said: (Not that yoga is all about the physical, but let's face it, asana makes the body beautiful.)
I once heard a yoga teacher say that doing yoga for the beautiful body aspect is what the ego desires, in such case drop the ego and you will see yoga for connecting you with the devine, which is it's ultimate goal, I think were on the same page.
again, i have to say, at least they are doing yoga.
not gonna lie, that is probably what (on the surface) drew me to the practice so many years ago, but that is definitely not what kept me coming back for 10 1/2 years!!!
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yogabunny
fancy cat



Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 11,281
Loc: Nasty Women Get Shit Done
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i think i need to stream a yoga class for the budding yogis of the shroomery LOL
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shivas.wisdom
בּ




Registered: 02/19/09
Posts: 13,424
Loc: Turtle Island
Last seen: 6 minutes, 47 seconds
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Fair enough. I can agree, any yoga is better than no yoga, benefits will still arise.
I just become when I see yoga reduced to another pilates.
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shivas.wisdom
בּ




Registered: 02/19/09
Posts: 13,424
Loc: Turtle Island
Last seen: 6 minutes, 47 seconds
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Quote:
yogabunny said: i think i need to stream a yoga class for the budding yogis of the shroomery LOL
Do you teach yoga? 10 1/2 years is a long time [at least from my point of view]
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yogabunny
fancy cat



Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 11,281
Loc: Nasty Women Get Shit Done
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isn't that just another trick of the ego though? "NO! you're not doing it the RIGHT WAY!!!! *tantrum* i wrote a thingy for my training about why asana is the Yoga of the west. if i can find and it doesn't totally suck, i will share.
also i highly DO recommend studying the classical texts of yoga before beginning, during and after practice . i highly DO NOT recommend starting a regular practice of asana without the guidance of an experienced teacher, unless it's the only ONLY option. even if that is your only option there are TONS of podcasts and tutorials that can be found online!!!!
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shivas.wisdom
בּ




Registered: 02/19/09
Posts: 13,424
Loc: Turtle Island
Last seen: 6 minutes, 47 seconds
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Quote:
yogabunny said: isn't that just another trick of the ego though? "NO! you're not doing it the RIGHT WAY!!!! *tantrum* 
Ahh.. the never ending cycle of ego-- you are probably right. I mean, I'm definitely in no position to 'know' what yoga is myself anyways. I've only been practising a couple years, and not steadily either.
I'm not even sure why I see this distinction within yoga practitioners. I see the same distinction in pyschedelic use, that distinction between spiritual use and recreational use-- and I use them in both ways myself and see nothing wrong with either way, though I do see differences between both ways [however slight].
I dunno, I'll think about this. It probably is my ego and always good to catch it in the act.
Quote:
yogabunny said: i highly DO NOT recommend starting a regular practice of asana without the guidance of an experienced teacher, unless it's the only ONLY option. even if that is your only option there are TONS of podcasts and tutorials that can be found online!!!!
Why do you say this? I don't know if I've just had bad experience with bad people claiming 'guru status' but one of the main tenents I reject from all spiritual practices [and one that seems to permeate most of them] is that need to find an accomplished teacher who can guide me, before I am able to set off on my own journey.
I wonder who taught the teacher? and who taught the teachers teacher? and so on.. either someone just learned it them selves, or some entity gave them the knowledge. Either way, the same thing can happen to me, if I only try.
I can understand how an accomplished teacher would be very beneficial in guiding someone else, but I also accept the fact that the vast majority of those people who claim to be accomplished teachers are the exact opposite-- there really is no way to know if a person is correct unless you already know the correct way. So when it comes down to it I feel safer letting my self guide my self slowly.
I also remember reading that in cases where a guru can't be found, it is acceptable to take a god as guru-- and in this sense I would say shiva is my guru.
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yogabunny
fancy cat



Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 11,281
Loc: Nasty Women Get Shit Done
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Quote:
shivas.wisdom said:
Quote:
yogabunny said: i think i need to stream a yoga class for the budding yogis of the shroomery LOL
Do you teach yoga? 10 1/2 years is a long time [at least from my point of view]
yep i've been teaching for about 2 years. and trust me, it irks me to the bone to think there are teachers out there who don't know who Patanjali is, or what the 8 limbs of Yoga are. but, so it is.
yeah, 10 years IS a long time, but i am still a beginner, still progressing, still learning, still discovering and REdiscovering poses as I go along. i teach to learn!
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Silversoul
Rhizome


Registered: 01/01/05
Posts: 23,576
Loc: The Barricades
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Quote:
Platinum said:
Quote:
yogabunny said: it always boggles my mind that so many western men have this gender based insecurity about practicing yoga postures. mainly because it's a practice that was started like 5,000 years ago in India and was practiced by ONLY men, for a very long time.
if i were you i'd tell your ego to HUSH, and listen to your intuition.

Well, it's not so much that I think yoga is for girls, becuase I really couldn't give a shit about that. What I'm anxious about is I associate yoga with tight fitting clothes, and I'm relaly tall and skinny. I'm 6'5" and I weigh 155 lbs. Like... my ribs pop out on the regular. And I also have long limbs obviously, I'd say I'm on the cusp of being lanky.
Tight fitting clothes? I used to wear sweat pants to yoga. If anything, I think yoga clothes should be loose-fitting and as comfortable as possible.
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yogabunny
fancy cat



Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 11,281
Loc: Nasty Women Get Shit Done
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Quote:
shivas.wisdom said:
Why do you say this? I don't know if I've just had bad experience with bad people claiming 'guru status' but one of the main tenents I reject from all spiritual practices [and one that seems to permeate most of them] is that need to find an accomplished teacher who can guide me, before I am able to set off on my own journey.
I wonder who taught the teacher? and who taught the teachers teacher? and so on.. either someone just learned it them selves, or some entity gave them the knowledge. Either way, the same thing can happen to me, if I only try.
I can understand how an accomplished teacher would be very beneficial in guiding someone else, but I also accept the fact that the vast majority of those people who claim to be accomplished teachers are the exact opposite-- there really is no way to know if a person is correct unless you already know the correct way. So when it comes down to it I feel safer letting my self guide my self slowly.
I also remember reading that in cases where a guru can't be found, it is acceptable to take a god as guru-- and in this sense I would say shiva is my guru.
yes, yes, true, and it that case you're really your own guru, aren't you????
i speak with regard to asana practice. like someone who has been to an accredited training program who could say "don't keep rounding your shoulders like that in this pose or your going to blow a rotator cuff"
feel me?
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shivas.wisdom
בּ




Registered: 02/19/09
Posts: 13,424
Loc: Turtle Island
Last seen: 6 minutes, 47 seconds
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haha yea I feel ya. 
I think I'm just very anti-authority, but I definitely see the benefit from a teacher who knows whats up.
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yogabunny
fancy cat



Registered: 11/01/09
Posts: 11,281
Loc: Nasty Women Get Shit Done
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haha, me too. that's probably why i haven't fallen in with any of the Guru's or paths that are out there. i swear it comes from being raised catholic.
also i happen to be lucky and live in a big city where i have access to some of the best teachers in the world. i am not sure that i'd still be practicing yoga without there guidance, support, love and encouragement. also, not sure that i'd have the fly lookin' downward facing dog that i do without their constant vigilance (LOL) in correcting my alignment.
my opinion can be taken with a grain of salt though. i don't know what the fuck im talking about really.
Quote:
Silversoul said:
Tight fitting clothes? I used to wear sweat pants to yoga. If anything, I think yoga clothes should be loose-fitting and as comfortable as possible.

this is sort of my mission statement as a teacher
I created this blog right after I finished my training, to promote the idea that Yoga should be free and available to one and all! Regardless of your sex, race, age, socio-economic status, height, weight, level of flexibility, etc, Yoga is for EVERYONE. You don't have to have the body of a ballet dancer like on the cover of all the magazines! And, at & Yoga for all, Yoga is free!! You don't need a membership card or fancy pants; just your beautiful self and a willingness to learn and grow.
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LbDub


Registered: 10/24/07
Posts: 1,647
Last seen: 10 years, 1 month
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Quote:
yogabunny said: i think i need to stream a yoga class for the budding yogis of the shroomery LOL
I'd certainly watch
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Fisherman
Tchee'ik


Registered: 10/06/08
Posts: 1,342
Loc: Glrrrrrrr!
Last seen: 11 years, 2 months
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Re: Yoga [Re: LbDub]
#12059635 - 02/19/10 12:12 PM (13 years, 11 months ago) |
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If I take yoga.
And spell it agoy.
I feel agony.
and I just keep smiling
-------------------- EVERYTHING IS DRUGS
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dubhuman
shit abyss



Registered: 11/20/08
Posts: 1,169
Loc: NY
Last seen: 2 years, 11 months
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Come to kundalini with me at the studio in the city, I promise you will love it. and how is it easier for girls to to yoga? it's very co-ed. the studio I go to is ran by a man and his wife both sat jiven.
I believe they were both taught by Yogi Bhajan himself. It's the real deal. He was actually shunned from India for bringing it to the west but thats a story I'll tell you in person.
I live near you... come with me? www.kundaliniyogaeast.com
I also have beginner DVD at my house we can try out together. I've never even tried it out! I don't have a DVD player ha!
Anyway, come, it's incredible, next on my list is a white tantric.
We just did a 3 hour chant to strengthen and prepare us for leaving the age of picses (sp?) and entering the age of aquarius. it was amazing. you have to experience it for yourself and I'd love if you came.
I miss you dude
Sat Nam
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