Restorative Practice

I spent last night at Sattva Yoga with three of the yoga teachers I did the restorative yoga therapeutics teacher training with last year. For three hours we taught each other and exchanged experiences with the restorative practice.

Thank you girls. I feel restored and I'm looking forward to doing it again.

Bikram’s Lawsuits: When is it time to stop separating the practice from the guru?

After being accused for sexual harassment back in March, Bikram Choudury has now been accused of rape in two new lawsuits. According to Yogadork.com and yogajournal.com two women have filed separate lawsuits earlier this week claiming they were raped by Bikram Choudhury and that Bikram’s inside circle actively recruits women for him - knowing abuse is a possibility.

'“In one of lawsuits filed this week a Jane Doe alleges sexual battery, false imprisonment, discrimination, harassment, and other counts in addition to the rape allegation. It describes a cult-like atmosphere where Bikram’s followers help him find young women to assault. “Other persons in defendant Bikram inner circle, were aware of defendant Bikram Choudhury’s pattern and practice of causing, inducing or persuading young women to enroll in teacher training classes to become yoga instructors only so he can sexually assault and/or rape them,” the lawsuit claims.'

Until proven otherwise the man is innocent – of course, but I just wonder when enough is enough?

I used to love Bikram Yoga. You can read about that here and here. But after meeting Mr. Choudhury at his talk at The Black Diamond here in Copenhagen I got enough and had to leave. As said in the blog post about the event (here) the man is more of a mafia boss than an Indian guru. I went back to my Ashtanga practice (I’d rather have a dead Guru than a crazy one) and started doing hot yoga. I wasn’t the only who had enough of Bikram’s Bentleys and his patents, but wherever I turned I heard: you have to separate the practice form the man. I agree to a large extent. Bikram Yoga is a beautiful practice. It has helped thousands of people around the globe. But it has also made Bikram a very powerful and rich man. And do we really want to support that?

If there’s any truth in the rape accusations – and without knowing ANYTHING about it - I am not going to support Bikram by going to his studios. I think it’s about time we stop separating the practice from the man and see Bikram for what he really is: a very good business man who apparently can’t keep it in his speedos.

Drishti

Have a wandering eye while practicing yoga?

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois taught drishti to thousands of practitioners. On a simple level, drishti technique uses a specific gazing direction for the eyes to control attention. The practice is connected to Pratyahara - withdrawel of the senses - the fith limp of yoga as well as Dharana - concentration - the sixth limb.

In every asana in Ashtanga you are to direct your gaze to one of nine specific points:

Credit to alliscoming.com

Downward Facing Guinea Pig

When Guinea Pigs Fly

Ahimsa off the Mat

I spent my Sunday in the company of 12 new yogis discussing the foundation of yoga: philosophy, pranayama, asana and meditation. We dissected the Eight Limbs of Yoga, built up prana during 3 pranayama exercises and used the philosophy and pranayama in a  yoga sequence followed by meditation.

As we were leaving the shala one of the students came up to me and said:

I think I really understand Ahimsa (non violence) now. It’s not just about not harming others. It’s about saying no to things that I don’t want to do so I don’t harm myself. It’s not just about my yoga practice. It’s about my life.

The teacher walked out very proud. And maybe a little more enlightened.