Conference notes: February 3, 2013

On Santosha: When you do something bad to others you do not have Santosha within yourself.  People who do bad things do not have mind control. 

“Through practicing asanas, your mind should change.  That is the transformation that happens within you….Then you are a true Ashtanga practitioner, not just bending your body…Practice should not be just two hours, this practice must be for the whole day, whole life…Then there will be meaning to your practice.”  - Sharath

A student asked about the closing prayer – if we should only do on Fridays?  Sharath explained we should do after every practice, everyday.  This prayer is for the whole world, not just for ourselves.  Chanting it will help us to always be humble.  Mantra is for our well being – that is all.  It is not a religion to chant.  Yoga has no religion, it is for self transformation.

On teaching yoga to children: In response to a student’s question about what to start teaching yoga to children Sharath stated we should start children at 10-11 years.  Before that the body of a child is very tender.  When a child tries to imitate postures we might do in practice, we should not stop them – allow them to play and imitate, but do not teach them asanas until they are 10-11.

On teaching pregnant practitioners: No asana practice during first trimester.  From second trimester on, a woman can take her regular practice excluding twists.  Lots of deep long breaths during asana will be very good. Also, for women having trouble conceiving they should stop practice for some time as the heat of this practice can make it difficult for some women to get pregnant.

On practice: You should have a proper teacher to lean asanas.  Formally it should come teacher to student.  Practical experience is best.

On studying with many teachers: Studying with too many people will confuse the student.  Then you don’t know what is yoga.  Sharath quoted a statement Guruji often uttered: “If you have two Gurus one student is dead.  If you have two wives one husband is dead.  If you have two doctors one patient is dead.”

 “Sadhana is where you devote yourself to one Guru who gives you the foundation of your spiritual knowledge…Fundamentals should be strong within you; that only one Guru can give.  Then you can go learn from books.”  If we have one teacher to devote ourselves to, we will not get confused by the incoming information from many teachers, we can stand firm in our knowledge bestowed upon us from our Guru.  Once we have a strong foundation from our Guru, we can go forth and obtain more information from books, but then only we will not waiver in our beliefs and understanding of what is yoga and how it is helping us in this life.

On life distractions that take people away from their practice: A young practitioner asked if Sharath had advice for those who get distracted and leave their practice.  Sharath stated that distractions can happen anywhere – but its how we deal with distractions that matters.  Some get easily distracted and their practice suffers or falls away.  We have to make our practice priority, if it is then no distractions will take us from our practice because it will be of upmost importance to take practice each day.  Sharath mentioned that not everyone can be so dedicated to their practice, it takes a certain kind of mindset.  

“Don’t leave your practice!  It will help you judge what is correct, what is not correct….When you go deeper in your practice, your practice becomes everything.” Ultimately, practice must be a priority.  If a practitioner looks at their practice like this it will never suffer in spite of the limitless distractions around us.  Sharath noted that is it not being selfish to make your practice a priority because through practice we become stabilized so that we can be good for everyone else. 

We must develop this day by day, month by month, year by year.

Kaiden showing us his mad skills

Kaiden working on his alphabet while having breakfast with mommy :) So much fun!

Kaiden eating Ice Cream

Kaiden having some chocolate Ice Cream after his haircut.

Kaiden at Kukkaranahalli Lake in Mysore, India

Kaiden at Kukkaranahalli Lake in Mysore, India

Kaiden working on his Viyasas

Kaiden attempting to Vinyasa through to seated from down dog ;) while watching Mickey Mouse clubhouse. He's a real multi-tasker!

Kaiden wants Coco Juice :)

Elephant Ride at the Mysore Palace

Kool man Kaiden in his Shades

Kaiden doing yoga in India

Kaiden wanted to do some yoga, so we got out the mat and did some sun salutations. I think that soon he'll be teaching mommy!

Mysore Zoo!

Yesterday Kaiden, Kwang and I went to the Mysore Zoo! It was totally awesome :) Little Kaiden was pretty knackered by the time we arrived at the zoo because he's still adjusting to the time change and wanting to party his face off at 1am in the morning. But even though he was tired, he still managed to muster the energy to make the most of our very first zoo going experience. He enjoyed all the animals but was especially fond of the giraffes, gorilla, and elephants.

I went to the Mysore zoo once back in 2007 and it is well worth the trip when in Mysore. They have wonderful conservation programs and education programs so your foreign fee to get in seems to be put to very good use. It's a definite must do when you bring your wee ones with you to Mysore, along with the train museum, Mysore Palace, Regalis pool, and water park (all of which are on my and Kaiden's to do list this year :)

This is a whole new experience for me having my little guy in India...I've made this trip so many times now, but this time feels like the first time in alot of ways. Without a doubt, I highly recommend all parents bring their kids with them to India! It is a magical experience for everyone!




Kaiden, Kwang and I send love and joy your way :) until next time...

Enjoying Mysore

Our first few days in Mysore have been wonderful, apart from a wicked bout of jet lag, and a wee bit of delhi belly. Kaiden and I both dealing with it, but of course Mr. G.I. of steal, Kwang, is just fine and dandy eating anything his heart desires! He's always been that way though, and whenever he and I travel ANYWHERE I usually get a little off and he's perfectly fine..well except that one time in Thailand but that story is for another day :)

Its crazy how the days are already starting to sort of mesh together like one big moment. Kaiden is so adorable I just can't stand it - he loves coconuts, cows, rickshaws, horns, pigs, traffic...all the little details of India that make her so unique.

No words can truly express my gratitude for this moment in time, I shall truly savor these days for the rest of my life! I selfishly wish so deeply that Kwang could stay longer...he leaves us on Wednesday. I cannot describe how amazing it has been to be in Mysore with Kaiden and Kwang - to be away from the busy busy busy days in America, teaching at the Shala, Ivy Hawn, privates, managing the shala, meetings and phone calls...its been a blessing a curse that I'm without a good internet connection or phone services here, but certainly more a blessing while in India...Kwang, Kaiden and I have spent more quality time as a family these last few days than we ever have. I wish I could bottle this time and keep it forever. I feel lucky and grateful Kaiden and I will have another two months together here - i know it will be very magical, I only wish Kwang could be here too.

Landed in India

Ah, we have finally arrived in Mysore. As I sit in my flat on the floor trying to quietly type, my family is getting some much deserved rest. We had a very interesting trek from Orlando to Mysore, one that I will never forget. This is technically Kaiden's first trip, but he was in my tummy when I came in 2010 so I like to think it's his second. It's also Kwang's second trip, he hasn't been here since 2006. I know he has been looking forward to returning for some time now, and I'm really grateful he was able to come with us this year.

Overall our trip here was good, the usual delay getting out of Orlando, and delay taking off the runway in Frankfort, but those are always to be expected making a long journey like this. But, I must say I'm really used to such hicups, Kwang isn't, but he didn't seem to mind at all. Kaiden did awesome the first leg of the trip! He was in good spirits until he passed out, and he managed to sleep a couple hours on the plane.







We had a quick stop in Frankfort and very quickly boarded our flight to Bangalore, but then we sat, and sat, and sat as they needed to check out an issue with the plane. That's when Kaiden started to get really antsy and his poor little body started to really get exhausted. He was still quite good and still ended up getting a few more hours of sleep on the second leg, but I felt so bad for him. He's a real champ though!

When we finally landed in Bangalore all three of us were so ready to get to Mysore. We got our luggage, went outside to our car waiting for us, and got on the road. It was very dark and extremely foggy at 3am in the morning in Bangalore. Poor Kaiden got wicked motion sickness about 1 1/2 hours into the car ride (it's quite a bumpy and crazy ride from Bangalore to Mysore) and threw up all over me. We stopped and got cleaned up, then back in the car....About 45 minutes later he threw up all over me again. Luckily it was just motion sickness and nothing else, luckily he didn't throw up in the car, just on mommy, and luckily I had extra clothes easily accessible for both of us. Poor little guy!! But once we arrive in Mysore and were out of the car he was great!

First day was wonderful and extremely rough all at the same time b/c I was so exhausted. Normally I'd be uber tired from the journey but this trip was different, I think b/c I had to be 150% all eyes on Kaiden and all about Kaiden in the airports, planes, car. For all my mommies out there planning your trip to Mysore, it is doable, it is well worth it, but do try to really mentally prepare yourself and know you will not get any sleep your first few days.

Once we got in the house and unpacked, showered up and dressed, we headed over to Tina's for breakfast. She happens to be one of my favorite people in Mysore and her food is delicious! Kwang and Kaiden were able to get some really good sleep in during the day and night yesterday, but I had to get the house clean and organized and all of us unpacked, and get items we needed from the store and exchange money, pay for car, house, shala fees, register, etc....... And because I'm super clean freak Krista and as Shanna calls me, Swifta, I couldn't put any of that off til tomorrow and get sleep instead, I had to do it day one. Sitting here on my bed day two with my men napping next to me, I'm really glad I got all that done yesterday :) and hopeful I'll be able to fall asleep easily and get some good rest this evening.






I registered yesterday afternoon and felt so much comfort walking into the shala, seeing Saraswati and Sharath. It made me take a big sigh. I had trouble sleeping last night, partially jetlag I'm sure, partially fear that a different alarm would not wake me, and partially because I was afraid if I slept too deeply I'd not get up for practice. But Kaiden woke up around 2am and was up to party hard so I got up too. He played and played and played well past when I left at 4:15am for practice. He and Kwang walked me out and Kaiden said bye bye as I walked to the shala :)

Practice was wonderful but awfully hard this morning. I felt so shaky from lack of sleep, and my body felt really weak. Nonetheless is was amazing to take practice in the shala this morning being immersed in the energy of the institute, Guruji's spirit, and Saraswati and Sharath. Since I practice alone 99% of the time I never get that sweaty because it's only my heat in the room, but man oh man how nice it is to sweat buckets doing primary in the shala here - felt wonderful! Sharath did very gentle ankle binding with me this morning, and I was rather grateful for that. He's worried about my energy at the moment and can obviously sense my exhaustion. He seemed concerned yesterday when I registered, and told me yesterday to come to primary on Sunday if I felt I needed to. You are supposed to do primary your first full week at the shala regardless of what series you work on normally, as you travel such a long distance and the body needs yoga chikitsa - yoga therapy - primary series. But since I'm starting on a Wednesday that is only three days of Primary before day of rest on Saturday and led intermediate on Sunday. I'm playing all that by ear and will see how I feel come Sunday.

Well, I wish you a wonderful afternoon, morning or evening - wherever you are in the world :) more updates soon.