by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat Matthew Remski is currently researching asana-related injuries in an attempt to understand what we are actually doing with yoga, and how we can know the value or safety of the postures we practice. After taking the time to read his first article on the subject - What Are We Actually Doing in Asana - I found myself asking questions about my practice and the pain I sometimes experience in yoga. In particular, Matthew says: I would like to explore … [Read more...]
The Evolution of Ashtanga Yoga Part II
by Matthew Sweeney, The Yoga Temple Although Yoga, meditation and self inquiry are gaining popularity worldwide, these are still relatively new concepts for many people. How we define these concepts and the clarity with which we pursue them is of great interest to me. I am using the following definitions to shine a light on how adherence to a tradition can either help or hinder your practice of Yoga. It might be useful to note how you personally respond to these definitions and to … [Read more...]
The Evolution of Ashtanga Yoga
by Matthew Sweeney, The Yoga Temple Ashtanga Yoga is a wonderful practice for the body and mind. It is an evolving practice that is changing and growing to suit people of all ages and abilities. At least that is its potential. The tradition and its changing nature can be a difficult thing to reconcile. Understanding some of the principles at work is important. At some point in a student’s learning process, they will have difficulty, physically or otherwise. At this point they need … [Read more...]
Dude, I May Have Found a Yoga Teacher! Maybe!
by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat (Written a few weeks ago, before I left Glenorchy - in case the time frame or location confuses you!) I've just walked out of my second Mysore-style Astanga class with New Zealand's Peter Sanson and I don't know whether I'm coming or going. It's like my brain's in first gear, or submerged in water. If I feel into it, it's like a consciousness shift, where I'm going sideways from one way of being into another way of being but I'm caught in limbo … [Read more...]
Time to give up on asana, old man
by Mike Berghan, Te Aro Astanga For a long time now I have never really asked myself why I do my Ashtanga Vinyasa practice 5 or 6 days a week. If anyone asked me I would say because it is who I am and that I enjoy it. As the result of a couple of recent conversations, and these cold Wellington winter mornings I have been thinking about it a bit more. A friend and student of mine recently said to me after I explained that I try to do 2 Intermediate, 2 Advanced A, and 1 Primary Series Practice … [Read more...]
The evolution of lineage: Why what is taught changes over time
by guest author Jenifer Parker, owner of Healium Yoga Studio in Wellington Editors Note: This article originally appeared as a comment in response to Kara-Leah's article 'I don’t know how to teach yoga anymore. Or do I?' Foremost, the role of the teacher is to get the students on their feet in the teachings of the lineage, and then set them on their way. This is no different than sending a child to school, expecting that he will pass each year, gaining knowledge, gathering new teachers, and … [Read more...]
Parampara: The importance of lineage in Yoga
by guest author Mike Berghan, Te Aro Astanga Later this year I will celebrate 20 years of Ashtanga Yoga practice. My first year of practice was like most people, attending a class 2 evenings a week, but from Nov. 1993 I have maintained a daily Ashtanga practice. In this time I have learned many things. One of the most important being the concept of Parampara, or Lineage. Parampara is the passing down of knowledge over generations, from teacher to student. This concept is central to Yoga … [Read more...]
Wellington Yoga Teacher: Jenifer Parker
Born in California, and born to travel - that's Jenifer Parker. And you can blame Lord of the Rings for her and her husband's interest in New Zealand - Ryan was obsessed by the movie series so a trip to New Zealand was deemed imminent. As a result, in 2007, Jenifer answered an advertisement online to come and guest teach at a studio in Nelson. She loved NZ from the beginning, and in particular fell in love with Wellington, but unfortunately that trip was only for a short time. It was just … [Read more...]
American Yoga Teacher: Kaitlyn McConnell
It's not often I feature an International yoga teacher here on The Yoga Lunchbox, so I'm please to introduce California-based Kaitlyn. She's coming down to New Zealand for a three month trip and is hoping to teach yoga around the country while she's here. (See the bottom of the article for details on how to get in touch with her if you'd like to host her in your studio or town.) Kaitlyn writes a yoga blog of her own, called Yoga KM, where she'll be writing about her Kiwi trip. Still a … [Read more...]
Taupo Yoga Teacher: Fiona Links
Australian-born Fiona Links fell in love with a kiwi (that's him there in the photo with her) and as a result has ended up living and teaching in Taupo. Earlier this year, she and her partner Andrew spent an awesome two months living in Mysore, India, studying at the Astanga Yoga Research Institute with Sharath Jois. Extra studies also included Sanskrit chanting and Yogic philosophy and meditation with Dr M. A. Jayashree and Professor Narasimha, and Yoga anatomy/physiology with Noah … [Read more...]