Dec
6
Categories: General
Tags: 2am, Bihar School Of Yoga, Contemplation, Face, Feelings, Maha Samadhi, Meditation, Sadhana, Shanti Shanti, Subsequent Events, Swami, Texts, Traditions, Yoga Ashram, Yoga Teacher, Yogi
Dec
6
Swami Satyananda attained Maha Samadhi this morning, 5th Dec. Maha Samadhi is the final step in a yogi’s sadhana practice. Swami Satyanda founded the Bihar School of yoga and from this seed and the subsequent events, Mandala Yoga Ashram was founded. The Mandala yoga ashram is where I am studying to be a yoga teacher.
I have to say hearing this news does bring mix feelings and a level of contemplation. One point is that how much control is required to consciously die without the use of anything, this is an amazing concept. On another level, we all die at some point, but to be able to prepare and take control over the death of you’re own being, that’s amazing. And think about it, to be able to gain the state of Maha Samadhi in the face of knowing you are going to die. Meditation requires amongst other aspects relaxed, steady, calm and firm seated position. How do you get that relaxed and calm knowing what you will be leaving behind. I suppse this demonstrates a mastery over non-attachment as described in various traditions and yoga texts.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Apr
21
It is a shame I have not shared my experiences of previous workshops and yoga teachers before. I have attended workshops with; Mark Freeth, Maru Musso, Helen Painter and Jane Sleven. The one thing that links all these good yoga teachers, apart from the ashtanga yoga itself of course, is their personalities and the kind yogic nature they emanate. Liz is no exception, and I am glad I have had the opportunity to meet and study with her.
Liz is a warm and kind person, and although she knows how to guide one to their limits, she always encourages one to ease back when appropriate. I never felt pressured to do anything to the extreme, and she included plenty of modifications for all levels of student. As she guides the students through the four 2 hour sessions, her extensive knowledge of yoga, kindness and humour permeate the class. I felt her kindness even more during the last session when I had a mild headache, she directed me to some water, to some this might seem an insignificant action, but when your in that position and some one like Liz does that sort of thing in the kind and supportive way they do, it’s like there is a deeper level of communication happening.
I find it a wonderful experience when mantras like OM are used in a session, it’s amazing being part of over 50 yogis Oming at the same time, quite an experience. The sound of us Oming in harmony, resonating through the entire room, is like a lots of sponges being bathed in sound; where the yogis are the sponges and the sound of OM the water. A very special moment that starts and finishes a session very nicely.
The more yoga workshops and classes you go to, the more you see familiar faces, and it was with pleasant surprise I bumped into a few of these familiar faces during these sessions, although it is nice to chatt with people and make some new friends, even better was the fact I found a local ashtanga yoga teacher near me, Simon Chandler (www.yogaandayurveda.co.uk) who teaches in Swindon and Bath, I have heard good things about him. Regular classes are essential when ever the opportunity is available, it will be good for me to have regular classes again.
