Ashtanga Connections

Mais do que uma casa onde praticamos o nosso Ashtanga Yoga, este é um espaço de partilha de ideias, histórias e inspirações. Para comprovar estas vertentes do Ashtanga Cascais, resolvemos construir o ASHTANGA CONNECTIONS, como plataforma online dentro do nosso blog, www.ashtangacascais.blogspot.com, que apresentará e difundirá as vossas ideias, hobbies, actividades e áreas profissionais.

Esta plataforma nasce por verificarmos que temos tantos praticantes com profissões liberais, uns com empresas próprias, outros são trabalhadores independentes, outros trabalham para outrém mas nos seus tempos livres, vêm a desenvolver ideias e projectos pertinentes, empreendedores e inovadores.

Quantas vezes procuramos uma pessoa ou uma empresa que prestam determinados serviços, mas até preferíamos alguém que conhecemos? Dentro da sala, enquanto praticamos, não temos escrito as nossas profissões nas nossas testas, ou as nossas actividades profissionais, as nossas ideias e projectos pessoais, mas nos tapetes à frente, atrás e ao nosso lado, estão praticantes que são arquitectos, designer de moda, costureiras, designer gráficos, tradutores, psicólogos, massagistas, contabilistas, carpinteiros, electricistas, fadistas, chefs, etc. Dentro da nossa comunidade Ashtangui existem praticantes com uma variedade de profissões, que podem ser exactamente as pessoas que andamos à procura.

O Ashtanga Connections estará na barra lateral direita na página principal do nosso blog, aproveite este espaço e anuncie os seus serviços e a sua empresa. Porque uma comunidade de Ashtanga, vive destas trocas, destas partilhas. De conversas antes e depois das aulas, de recomendações e sugestões, de ajuda e de apoio e especialmente de muitos sorrisos na hora de, juntos, celebrarmos mais uma vitória no tapete, seja porque alcançamos aquela postura, porque finalmente sentimos a nossa respiração, ou que simplesmente conseguimos acalmar e libertarmo-nos do stress de um quotidiano agitado e cada vez mais impessoal.

*ilustração de Boonchu Tanti

Ashtanga Yoga and Pregnancy by Mrs. Stan

Há já alguns anos que penso em escrever sobre Ashtanga Yoga na gravidez, mas sempre considerei que seria bem mais pertinente e revelador, se redigisse este artigo depois de ter a experiência da gestação. Enquanto pensava sobre este tema, lembrei-me da primeira vez que vi a Stan Byrne, à porta do KPJAYI, em Mysore. Estava acompanhada pelo seu marido, o David Robson, recordo-me de ter ficado a olhar para a Stan porque a foi a primeira vez que vi em Mysore, uma praticante grávida, e confesso-vos que foi muito especial e inspirador poder observar algumas partes da sua prática. Para todas as praticantes que estão a pensar em serem mães e para aquelas que estão grávidas,

aqui fica a entrevista com Stan Byrne.

Name

Stan Byrne

Profession

Yoga Teacher and Writer

Age

36

When and how did you start practising Ashtanga Yoga?

I was practising a vinyasa style about 5 years ago when I went to Mysore with my husband David Robson, and since then I have maintained a daily Ashtanga practice.

Do you remember the moment(s) that you felt that Ashtanga Yoga would be your daily practice?

I was in Mysore, practising primary series at the shala. I was so fearful of doing drop backs, and I would wait for Sharath to help me every time. One day, he told me I had to go back by myself and I sort-of made a feeble attempt at bringing my arms back. Then I stopped, waited for him and looked sheepish. I thought I could maybe get away with that behaviour for the rest of the trip because there were so many students - how could he remember me? But the next day, he stood at the opposite end of the room and screamed "GO DOWN! GO DOWN!"All these thoughts went through my head: "I am going to break my neck, my arms, I will never walk again"...he kept screaming. And so I dropped back. I caught myself, and I watched the tears in my eyes plop down on my mat. I didn't die or break my neck, I was fine. I felt relieved, proud, excited - it was an amazing moment of conquering my fear.

Sharath was quiet for a second, and then he screamed, "NOW COME BACK UP!" And that is the moment I got hooked. You are never finished in Ashtanga Yoga. There is always somewhere else to go.

If you had to say three words that describe Ashtanga Yoga, what you would choose?

Challenging, meditative, energizing.

You are a mum, and during your pregnancy you kept doing Ashtanga Yoga.

After you found out that you were pregnant, how long did you wait until you started practising and when did you stop practising?

I personally didn't stop practising in the first three months and I practised the day I went into labour. I know many women feel more comfortable waiting for three months. Of course, it also depends on your medical history and the advice of your doctor. I found it was a very intuitive time for me. The practice helped my morning sickness and later helped me chart the changes in my body. But when you start and when you stop is so personal.

Did you feel any differences in the practice? Describe for us your experience of being pregnant during your Ashtanga Yoga routine.

Absolutely! At first, not so much, but I began to feel very heavy and it was hard to maintain a steady breath. I started taking extra breaths, even in Surya Namaskara, stepping back and forth and I wasn't able to twist anymore. I do remember feeling very scared about falling, and I was always nervous someone was going to knock me over in drop backs. No one did. Again with the drop back fear!

If you had to advise other practitioners that are expecting, what would you would tell them?

My advice would be to not worry about maintaining a practice. Use the practice as a way to relax, release and focus on yourself. When the baby comes, finding time to practice is very challenging. I often have to rush through my practice now so that I can attend to my son. In retrospect, I wish I had rested more and enjoyed longer, slower practices while I was pregnant.

Is there any major precaution that they should be reminded about?

I think just listen to your teachers and your intuition. You will know when you are pushing yourself too hard.

After your baby was born, how long did you wait until you went back to your mat?

I started Surya Namaskara after two or three weeks, but I didn't go back to the my studio, Ashtanga Yoga Centre of Toronto, until 6 weeks. It might have been a little too soon for me. I needed the 45 minute break from the baby, but I injured my hamstring pretty soon after because I couldn't contain my bandhas.

Was it difficult to go back to your practice? Did you feel any differences in your body and mind?

I loved getting back on my mat. I felt so weak and stiff - but I loved having the opportunity to move my body and listen to my breath. It took about 10 months to get my practice back to where it was before I got pregnant. But whenever I faced any challenges, I kept telling myself, "I gave birth, I can do anything!" I wasn't really doing anything special on the mat - but I felt strong, resilient and ready to face the world. My practice became more of a sanctuary for me after I had Holden. It was less about good or bad practices, triumphs or disappointments, and more about finding time to breathe.

In your opinion, what are the benefits of practising during pregancy and after the baby is born?

During pregnancy, I loved the awareness of my body that the practice brought.

When you have children, your whole life can be about work and family. It is really easy to get lost inside of that. I remember the first few weeks after Holden was born, I felt so overwhelmed and busy - I couldn't figure out when I could get 5 minutes away to take a shower. I can't imagine not having that time to practice now. I think I would drive my family crazy if I couldn't practice. My practice makes me a better mom, because I have that time for myself everyday and I can devote more energy to Holden and his needs.

When you think about your practice during your pregnancy, and after the pregnancy, what is the first word that arises in your mind?

Freedom!

*Stan Byrne

www.ashtangatoronto.com

www.missstan.com

Inspired by Mr Gold

"I’ve seen it time and time again. A student is great as long as he or she is in the improvement phase of practice. Things are opening up. New asanas are coming regularly and life is good, indeed. This student is often one of the loudest and most enthusiastic proponents of how great the practice is… that is until he or she hits a dreaded plateau. (...) Doubt breeds dark thoughts. Eventually, the spectre of “what’s the point” starts whispering in the student’s ear. He or she starts missing class here and there. When he or she comes to practice, the missed days make practice more difficult and a vicious cycle of difficulty and doubt spins downward until… It’s quitting time! The formerly enthusiastic student eventually jumps ship. Sometimes, these students find their way back onto their mats. Sometimes, the experience of what life is like without practice is enough to renew their commitment. Sometimes, these students move from teacher to teacher looking to be saved by a magic adjustment or practice-tip. Sometimes, the student moves to another style of yoga or another activity altogether where he or she can experience the quick improvement phase again. (Citação Paul Gold, no seu artigo " The Despairing Ashtangui, em www.paulmitchellgold.wordpress.com).

Quantas vezes fomos vencidos pela falta de paciência e confiança, pelo descrédito ou até pela arrogância? Quantas vezes questionámos esta prática, porque de um momento para outro sentimos dores? Ou cansaço, ou falta de entusiasmo? Quantas vezes apeteceu-nos mudar de professor, de método de Yoga, ou até alterar a nossa rotina diária por uma outra actividade, uma que não obrigue a vermos e a sentirmos tanto?

Quando praticamos Ashtanga há pouco mais de um, dois ou três anos, e desde o início que reconhecemos limitações no nosso corpo e mente, que temos noção de algumas dores e bloqueios físicos e emocionais, que somos obrigados a usar variantes nas posturas, e no entanto sentimos um transbordante entusiasmo de quem está no começo do processo de estabelecer uma prática diária, de descoberta das posturas, de viver a ideia pré-concebida de evolução. A vivência de um deslumbramento, onde tudo parece fluir, onde tudo está mais certo, mais fácil, onde somos mais vivos e mais felizes.

Com a continuidade das práticas, dos meses e dos anos de mantermos esta rotina de 6x por semana, tropeçamos em nós mesmos e nas nossas considerações e projecções sobre perfeição, dor e estagnação. De repente o entusiasmo perdeu-se e sentimo-nos frustrados, porque estamos retidos nas mesmas posturas, temos dores, ficámos fechados dentro do nosso corpo e encarcerados na nossa mente. E é nesta altura que muitos de nós desistem, mandam os "mats" para um canto do armário e substituem a prática por uma outra actividade, uma que seja mais fácil, mais simples, menos intensa e especialmente, uma que não obrigue a lidarmos com os nossos medos, frustrações e ansiedades.

Este período de ausência servirá para muitos de nós nunca mais voltarem e pelo contrário, alguns encontram nesta privação, o verdadeiro sentido do Yoga. Cabisbaixos e envergonhados, batem à porta da escola, onde são recebidos pelo sorriso do professor, que como praticante sabe o que sentimos e o que nos assustou.

O regresso não é fácil, o corpo esqueceu como dobrar, como torcer, como esticar. As dores que outrora sentíamos, as mesmas que chamávamos de entraves à prática, continuam nos nossos corpos e nas nossas mentes e levará tempo até compreendermos o que Paul Gold afirma em todo o seu artigo, especialmente no último parágrafo, "So what’s the antidote to despair? The simplest answer is to keep in mind that more asanas is not the measure of success in yoga practice."

Munidos de paciência, humildade e coragem aceitamos as nossas limitações e largamos os pressupostos de perfeição, de certo e errado, de evolução e estagnação e com inteligência e fé, superamos as dificuldades, percebendo que "Roma e Pavia não se fizeram num dia" e que o processo de Yoga não são as posturas que temos, mas o processo de nos encontrarmos.

Olhamos para trás, para o nosso passado, para os capítulos da história da nossa prática, sorrimos. Porque é nítido que o dia que retirámos o "mat" do armário e aceitámos as dificuldades, foi o dia em que começamos a praticar Yoga.