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Eka Pada Ibiza style

After a week of "super clubs" in Ibiza my son busts his version of Eka Pada in a "Trapstar" hat and "Nike Huarache" trainers. While the attire is pretty cool, it is not recommended with this yoga pose.   :-) 

Niyama. Sauca - purity - Sharath Jois

From Sharath Jois Astanga Yoga Anusthana:   Sauca means maintaining both internal and external purity ( antara sauca and bahir sauca , respectively) Thinking good positive thoughts will keep our mind pure. Likewise keeping our environment and person, clothes, body, belongings and surroundings clean and clear will also keep our vision clean and clear. With purity of speech and thought, the mind will also be purified. Once the mind is purified then the atma  (the soul) will be purified. This applies especially to the yoga practitioner, who should keep himself clean in respect to and in consideration for others, and also as an example to others. saucatsvangajugupsa parairasmsargah YS 2.40 From cleanliness, an aversion to one's own body and contact with the bodies of others develops.

Quote: There Was Never A Time...

There was never a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor any being. Nor is there any future in which we shall cease to be. That which is non-existent can never come into being. That which is can never cease to be. That reality which pervades the universe is indestructible. No-one has the power to change the changeless. Bhagavad Gita

Ashtanga Yoga Mama

Here is a photo of a 5 month pregnant ashtanga yoga student at Nancy's recent London workshops. She had a beautiful fluid practice and was taking appropriate modifications for pregnancy-I would not recommend you take up ashtanga yoga in pregnancy- but as you can see, if you already have a practice you can continue once you have passed the 3 month period ( Sharath Jois is recommending you do not practice ashtanga in the first three months). Talk to your teacher for advise on modifications, as not all poses are suitable during pregnancy

Nancy Gilgoffs London Ashtanga yoga workshops...Humility.

Ive had a wonderful week with Nancy- she came and taught three days of workshops in my studio here in Putney. We had a great time together and I was honoured to have been her assistant during the three days of practice. We talked about all sorts of things: from the teachings of the Dali lama, discussing ( and practising) pranayama, and even watched a fair amount of the Wimbledon tennis together. I heard lots of stories about guruji and his family, and the early days in Mysore. I feel I have learnt a lot from her on this trip and none of this was about asana. I have a real sense at the moment that the more I know, the less I know.....this yoga is a lifetime journey and I have only scratched the surface. Here are some photos.....