Sri K Pattabhi Jois "Guruji"

I would like mention to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, or “Guruji” as he was often called, who died in May at the age of 94. He was the man responsible for the Ashtanga vinyasa series, much loved in the West. His take on yoga has touched many people around the world and his famous quote “practice and all is coming” is used by many teachers.

While I never got to practice with him myself, a lot of my yoga training was completed under the supervision of two of his early followers, David Swenson and Nancy Gilgoff (the first western woman to practice with Guruji in Mysore, India). She and her partner at that time, David Williams, took Pattabhi Jois to California and, from there, Ashtanga yoga started to attract followers from all around the world.

As a matter of interest, Nancy – who now lives in Maui, Hawaii - will be in the UK in October to hold several workshops. These will take place in Wiltshire and are well-worth attending. That said, she usually requires participants to have at least two years of experience practising yoga. I will keep you informed of any updates!

Before signing off, I would like to give special thanks to Pranasound for allowing me to use this wonderful photograph of Guruji... Most kind of you and much appreciated!

Comments

Neti pot

When I was training to be a yoga teacher, one of the 6 purification techniques taught to us was Jala Neti ( also called Neti or Jaaneti). Purification techniques are sometimes performed as a way of preparing the body for a yoga practice. Whenever the neti pots came out, I disappeared, always needing to be somewhere else at that moment in time… I had many techniques to avoid it: the bathroom, the water fountain, the shop, anything but the Net. Pouring a saline solution up my hooter was really not for me and I have avoided it right up to today. I have got a steaming cold and, as a result, I now have sinus pain, so I have decided to give it another go. Talk about waiting until your back is against the wall! I rushed to the Sivanada yoga studio nearby and bought myself a ceramic neti pot and salt. I had to follow the one photographic image as the instructions were in German!!! Although I did not find it as unpleasant as some people describe, it was not as bad as I remembered. So I will us...

Sharath Jois in London 2013

Sharath Jois will be in London teaching a week of primary and intermediate ashtanga yoga From 25th-30th of August- in a central London location. Booking for this will open mid May. Through http://www.astangayogalondon.com/index2.cfm A rare and wonderful treat to have Sharath in my home town-A big thank you to Hamish Hendry and ashtanga yoga London for organising this. Going to have to set an alarm on my phone- as there will be a lot of takers for this....

All about the balance

A snap from inside my fridge this week. The mix of wine, beer and Vita Coca sort of sums up my family really. The ones that drink wine and beer don't go in for the coco water, and the coco water drinker doesn't go in for wine or beer. In summary, none of us need worry about the other nicking all the drinks. :-)

Search This Blog