Yoga Report

Can you teach an old dog how to sit ? I feel a big difference in the days when I start with yoga in the morning.  When I wake up late and dwell in sensual dreams I miss the clarity and focus I get from Pranayama and Asanas. Since I got back to Copenhagen I have had a loose schedule. One way to focus my thoughts is to write this blog and running on the beach is another way.

Everyone knows there is a big difference in reading a book and teaching somebody how to read. I have made a few attempts in teaching yoga before I began the TTC.  I like personal teaching since it gives the possibility to discuss as well as do more practical work. I feel that even if I do not charge a lesson I expect something back. This is not really honest and I find it better to teach for money since then it is clearly defined what the exchange is all about. The urge to teach in a clearly defined setting grew stronger during the course and I understand why some teachers appear distanced to their students. As a human being we need a space which is free from yoga and the yoga teacher role. Vishnu-Devananda regularly drew himself away from the crowd in silence to fill up the batteries once more.

Something we discussed during the course and which struck me really hard is Brahmacharya, the sublimation of sexual energy. The romantic dream of sharing the spiritual path with somebody of the opposite sex is strong in me and maybe it is stopping my development ? Maybe a year in an ashram and teaching to many people will solve this ? I feel a lot of admiration for spiritual giants like Sivananda, Vishnu-Devananda, Gandhi, Jesus etc.

I was to see my physiotherapist today and he really encouraged me to start teaching yoga full time !

His take was that yoga is really good for flexibility and the only thing to look out for is that you work those inner tummy muscles and build up the core stability. The small stabilising muscles that keep our joints in place and work on balancing the spinal cord demands care. He advised me to not do the leg raises to far since it becomes a hip rotation then.  When it comes to the shalabhasana, locust pose, it is important that the hip does not rotate to the side.

His advice was that you take a break every 30 minutes when you work in front of a computer and change working position. If you have a table which can be raised then you should vary between sitting and standing all day long. You can use an egg alarm to remind you about this. If you sit for too long the body gets into a position which is no longer good and it is to late to change when you start to encounter pain.

it is good if the office chair have a slight tilt in the bottom part