13 Comments

1. 

   Katie Pervan on July 4, 2012 at 9:14 pm

   a lovely read Mike. Thanks for your honesty and inspiration. Very cool.

2. 

   Diane Holbel on July 5, 2012 at 1:29 am

   I, age 73, do the Astanga practice because it works. Maintaining range of motion, balance, circulation, endurance…allowing me to enjoy new career as film extra with its 15-hr work days. Mental and spiritual benefits supercede physical as I’ve experienced through surgeries and chemotherapy six years ago

3. 

   Mike on July 5, 2012 at 8:09 am

   Thank you Diane. That is it exactly. It works on all levels, it works.

4. 

   jhulanyatra dasi on July 6, 2012 at 12:57 pm

   Thank you for this sweet post Mike! And thank you Diane for your inspiring story!

   I am only 31 🙂 but it is challenging to have a regular 5-6 day practise a week. You need to get up early (5:20amish…), spent 1-2 hours on the mat and then get on with your day. Also, you have to watch your diet to the tiniest details. Being a full vegetarian (living a yogic lifestyle that is), you need to get your energy, vitamins and nutrients. Otherwise you cannot do the practise not speaking of teaching and other physical work (I am also a massage therapist). You need to buy fresh ingredients, always prepare your food at home, you go to bed early etc.
   Basically, doing yoga, you never become lazy and there is a great self-discipline… as Guruji said: yoga is for anyone but the lazy person…
   So tapping into the yoga thing, from wherever angle you start it, it sorts out everything about your life and yourself. And this is so fascinating about yoga- you do yoga, sincerely and everything else will fall into place sooner or later- depending on how serious we take the process. You become a healthy and happy person all around. Who does not want this? 🙂

5. 

   Mike on July 6, 2012 at 1:09 pm

   Thank you for the great comment, Jhulanyatra. Yes, discipline is required. The important thing is to make it fun and make it feel good, then you want to practice, and the discipline is easier to achieve.

6. 

   jhulanyatra dasi on July 11, 2012 at 2:37 pm

   Mike… would you be inspired to write something about (Ashtanga) Yoga and the use of props? Also what Guriji thought about it?
   I was exposed to a few Iyengar style and other style classes and I noticed the extensive use of props and in a way it seemed to nurture a great emphasis on ‘things we cannot do’ and ‘issues’ in our body. Of course I see the point of using props especially with elderly people or disabled people of whoever likes to use them.
   But what about this saying that yoga is for everyone?
   And how can you reconcile Ashtanga yoga with this?
   We do not use any props but I often notice that it is very intense for people who have never done yoga before or any form of physical activity.
   Is there such a thing as a restorative Ashtanga yoga class?
   In terms of teaching yoga?
   Just a few thoughts…
   thaaaaaaaaank you Mike!!!! haribol Jyd

7. 

   Donna on July 20, 2012 at 8:13 pm

   Massive. Thank you.

8. 

   Amber on July 21, 2012 at 6:21 pm

   Oh how I miss you & Victoria & ur wonderful teaching Mike!

9. 

   Deb on July 23, 2012 at 10:28 am

   Thank you Mike, for taking time to express so clearly all the wonderful reasons for continuing practice. I too am in my 50s and I keep learning so much through my practice, this is why I find it endlessly inspiring and compelling. I have learned so much from you and Victoria, you always seem to be able to say just the right thing at the right time to help move my practice forward and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to practice with you both. Similarly, you deserve enormous credit for creating such a wonderful environment in class. I love the energy of the morning classes and the sunday talk through and feel very sad when work keeps me away, there is always a good energy in the room from all of the participants and I find it really helps my practice and focus.

   So I would like to thank both you and Victoria and hope that you will both continue to inspire us all.

   I also really enjoy the opportunity you create to bring other teachers into class, with Peter Sanson’s regular workshops and John Scotts recent class. I love what Peter said, which brought Guruji’s words to life for me, that the thing is to practice every day whenever you can and not worry about how much or when, just do it and everything comes.

   Thank you! 🙂

10. 

    Mike on July 23, 2012 at 11:03 am

    Thank you for the wonderful comments, Deb. You know I will have been practicing Ashtanga for 20 years soon and still feel like I have only just dipped my toe into the deep waters of this amazing practice. So much more to learn…

    Mike.

11. 

    Mike on July 23, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Thanks Amber. Good to hear from you. Trust all is well with you guys.

    Cheers,
    Mike

12. 

    Deb on July 23, 2012 at 12:09 pm

    Hi Mike
    I also wanted to say a big thank you to Nick who is also a wonderful and inspiring teacher. I really appreciated the opportunity he gave us to practice together on a Saturday morning. Thanks Nick!

13. 

    Olivia on July 23, 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Age is just a number. 🙂