Sunday, December 28, 2008

Honestly blogging about yoga

When it comes down to talking about practice and preference is it ever kind to be true? I mean what is true for me can't be true for everyone, so (lift your tongue to the third mouth position) what to do? I was chatting about this with Amanda before practice. I hate when others chat before practice, but when there doesn't seem to be a rule about it I lean on chatting. At the Shala in Mysore there are loads of signs that clearly state, "maintain silence." There I have witnessed students giving other students the stink eye for chit chat, or even going so far as shushing each other.

Maybe discipline is the key to freedom?

"maintain silence" = I don't have to chit chat. Even this morning in the middle of practice student A is practicing, student B comes in (like an hour into student A's practice) and feels the need to say, Hi student A, and then she would be rude if she didn't say, Hi student B and so she does.

All in all I made it to my mat, made it through practice maybe tomorrow I'll make it a more silent experience if only internally (unless I make a sign for the Shala in Philly.)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Honest and true makes me smile.
: )
A great thing I think about practice is that it can allow a space to notice: mostly notice what I am attached to, what I would like to change, what I don't want. Would be nice to notice and appreciate more good things like how fortunate the body I have works like this and like that. All this happening in a wholesome setting. The constant bringing my mind back to my body and my mind playing its raindeer games.
Happy New Year

Anonymous said...

Make a sign!!!!

Anonymous said...

I like to chat

Anonymous said...

Just took your class this morning-- I enjoyed it very much. Thanks for your guidance.

My two cents about chatting: I think chatting has the potential to foster a sense of community among its participants. When I watched the people around me, how you greeted them, there was a sense of connection. I think that feeling connected with folks also boosts confidence, which it looks like some people need when they're feeling a little self-conscious.

On the other hand, I can respect the tradition of being silent, having the dialogue within oneself, listening to one's own intentions.

Maybe there's a happy medium somewhere. I'm not sure.

I look forward to reading your blog in the new year.