Back to Anusara.
Back to basics.
Great to go back to basics and experience each delicious pose. The alignment of each pose. How each and every part of our body is interconnected to the other. And how each of us in the class connect to the rest of the people in the room - through mind and body.
And it’s great to sing the Anurasa invocation again.
Patrick reminded us of our very first yoga class.
Indeed it was a pretty hard class. I still remember. How I go into each pose with no inkling or idea of alignment and how my body ache the day after. Yet, I felt alive. How difficult it was for me to even do a forward bend ( big fat tummy in the way… not that it has totally flattened… working on that… checked… as I say, one day! 
)
Then the days that followed that I went for classes everyday and diligently practiced and progressed slowly but surely. Sometimes going for 3 to 4 classes a day.
Then I went for my very first Anusara class. I still remembered how amazing it was. It was different. It was happy and bright. ( the energy is positive and beautiful ) I remembered saying to myself that I liked that… although it was weird for me first time to listen to the Anusara invocation. But it grew on me and now Shirley gave me this great idea of singing it everyday as I walked home even though there were no more Anusara classes.
I remembered all the terrific and encouraging teachers that I am forever grateful to - Heeboon ( first teacher whose power yoga classes that I got addicted to and lost my first pounds, his yoga classes never failed to inspire me, beautiful and strong sequences that built confidence and strength), Stanley ( a very encouraging and kind Ashtanga teacher - I love how he teaches all of us with patience but with a tinge of fatherly stern-ness to push us lovingly to improve during his classes ), Samantha ( her beautiful classes that teaches me to look inside, to experience the difference in the body after each pose, her kind heart and beautiful soul that showed me how yoga can help others, and a blessed friend to chat about food and clothes ) and Bo ( an Anusara teacher who gave his heart and soul in every class to each student, who showed me what Anusara is about and helped me overcome many of my obstacles in my yoga journey, to express grace and beauty not only on the mat but in life too )…and many more wonderful teachers’ workshops which I attended and gained much knowledge from.
And thanks to Patrick for the 3 wonderful Anusara classes that he reminded us to be aware, to know where we are and be precise in our practice (details and precision…observant and yet be adventurous to try), be balanced ( in life and in relationship, flexibility and strength, prana and apana, grounding and freedom ) and to go with the flow.
The lessons that I learnt were much more than just poses.
Most of all, I learnt to be grateful for who I am. OM~ ( yep, even if I still cannot go up in the middle of the room for headstand… hee…. )
( This is one good tip - wake up in the morning with gratefulness, take a deep breath and think of all the wonderful things you are really grateful for, feel the gratefulness and you will feel good, really good and happy. )
PS. I have been accused of finger pointing for the first time in my life… hmm…
Good for the teacher that he posted that many people supported his post of which he graciously taken down to prevent further finger pointing.
I am in total agreement that Anusara is not for everyone and everyone has the right to say what happened to them or how they felt during class. That’s what sharing is about. But to call the people doing Anusara, unkind names? Sigh.
Time to knock out. ( my Anusara mind and subconscious mind has asked my normal meanie me to stop… and be thankful for what I have…. and it works! ) Friday - Looking forward to Heeb’s class!
“Shri, Satya and Svantantrya”
Anusara Yoga Teacher Training Manual
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