Belated Share: SHARATH ON PATTABHI JOIS SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL

by annabelturner

In solidarity with the women who bravely came forward to say they had been physically abused by Pattabhi Jois at the Ashtanga Yoga Center in Mysore, India, I want to acknowledge this statement by his grandson (my teacher), Sharath, on the subject, even though I am too late to share it here. Sharath’s statement was also painfully late, and has since been deleted. Here it is (was):

“Growing up I was very close to my grandparents. When I recall learning asana from my grandfather it brings me immense pain that I also witnessed him giving improper adjustments. I did not understand and felt helpless. I am sorry that it caused pain for any of his students. After all these years I still feel the pain from my grandfather’s actions.
We must have zero tolerance towards abuse, mishandling, or touching students inappropriately. Teachers should respect students at all times.
We all have a responsibility to govern the teachings and protect against wrongs. Many times I have wondered why the senior students who were at the Lakshmipuram shala did not support the other students when they saw these things occur? They have moved on to become famous teachers worldwide. Why did they not act in support of their fellow students, peers, girlfriends, boyfriends, wives, husbands, friends and speak against this?
My grandfather was my guru. He taught me everything I know about Asana, and I loved him, but I’m extremely sorry for those students who are going through this trauma. I understand your pain. It is my humble request to all those students harmed to forgive him for his actions. By acknowledging the past wrongs I hope you will be relieved from this terrible burden. It is my sincere hope that we can prevent abuse from ever happening again.
Namaskara 🙏🙏🙏”

For anyone wanting to know more, I recommend checking out Sarai’s take on it or the New Yorker who wrote a good article on the background of this story.

Salam, Annabel

Why We Practice (from the archive)

by annabelturner

April 24, 2013 § 1 Comment

YOGASH CHITTA VRITTI NIRODHAH

योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः ॥२॥

yogaś-citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ

When you are in a state of yoga, all misconceptions that can exist in the mutable aspect of human beings disappear.

After practicing yoga for some time we begin to experience something of the ultimate goal of yoga, which presents itself slowly, meticulously, surely. We begin to long for the day when our yoga will finally take us to this place. To a place of stillness – where the mind does not move us in endless circles through fear, ego, desire and seemingly unbeatable habits. The physical practice of yoga becomes a ritual that we return to, that we are energised through, and through which we determine our true self from the facade of the self.

Yet how many people begin yoga in the search to become flexible? (Among many other physical intentions, not to mention losing weight.) I find the word “stretching” to be the most inappropriate word used for yoga in the modern context. The body does not need to engage in “stretching”. For those starting a yoga practice, it is essential to understand that flexibility should not be your goal. The body first needs to become strong. External strength is equal to internal strength – the two are interwoven. Flexibility will come easily through consistent and correct practice. This is the intelligence of the Ashtanga Yoga “Primary Series” – which focuses on the strength of the body, correct alignment, and the safe practice of asana with guidance from an experienced practitioner.

So why is it important to be strong? First, to avoid injury. Any injury you have will take millions of seconds longer to heal than it did to create. Second, to grow and become strong and in turn to radiate inner strength. Finally and perhaps most importantly, in order to face your true self – and you must be very strong for this.

I have attended so many yoga classes where teachers lead students into intensive (and often misaligned) stretches, when the student’s bodies are simply not able to yet hold the posture comfortably, if at all. I have asked myself why they do this? It reveals the pace of our “modern” lives where students (with teachers who encourage this) want to feel they have achieved something in each class, pushed themselves or advanced in a posture since the past week. It also signifies the ability of bodies to quickly gain superficial flexibility, and the long time required to gain real strength. But by over-stretching the body you are actually becoming weaker. It is counterproductive to any genuine yoga practice, especially if we consider the correct aim of yoga to be control over the mind, the body and the senses.

If you want to be flexible, and truly flexible (flexibility that derives from strength and control), you must first commit to a slow and honest yoga practice. This will open the path to our foremost intention in yoga, to become free from the ills of the mind.

“If you want to get there fast, take it slow.”

Annabel

Workshop: YOGA Beyond the Mat * Bashir Saade

by Bech

Venue: UNION SQUARE YOGA

DATE: SATURDAY JULY 8
TIME: 10:00 am > 12:00 pm
SUGGESTED DONATION: 20 000 LL
Register: m a y s a n . m a r o u f @ gmail.com

The word “Yoga” has been used in so many different contexts over the last few decades. Most commonly, it refers to a set of physical practices that are taught in studios around the world. One of the key founding texts that defines yoga as a discipline is Patanjali’s Sutra in which eight ‘limbs’ of yoga (Ashtanga) are mentioned. Asana, or the physical postures, is only the third limb. The first two limbs function as the backbone of Asana, these are: Yama (ethical rules) and Niyama (duties and observances). The Yamas and Niyamas consist of principles that answer the question: how can we take the yoga practice beyond the mat and into our everyday life?
This workshop will propose practical ways to integrate the first two limbs into a more grounded Asana approach. In order to do so, it will propose interesting parallels between yoga practices and those of the different religious, philosophical, and spiritual traditions of our region. The second part of the workshop will be devoted to exercises for cultivating a daily practice which integrates working on the three limbs.

The workshop is open for all, whether beginners or more seasoned yoga practitioners. Come wearing comfortable clothes.

Bio
Bashir Saade first began practicing yoga over 15 years ago, and for the last 10, has been following the tradition of Ashtanga yoga, taught by Pattabhi Jois. He studied in London with Hamish Hendry and in Mysore with Sharath Jois. Bashir teaches the Ashtanga system in its traditional form, supporting students in order to build the strength required for a consistent and devotional practice. Bashir is also a Lecturer in Religion & Politics at the University of Stirling, and his research centres on Islamic and other non-Western religious and spiritual traditions.

New Teacher in Beirut

by Bech

There is a KPJAYI authorised level II teacher, Olivier David in Beirut holding Mysore style classes at the new centre Yoga Souk, at the beginning of Borj Hammoud in Karantina.

Oliver teaches at 6:30-10:30am daily except moon days) with 9:30am being the last arrival and led classes on Saturdays at 9:30am.

Here is a link to his class schedule.