MahaMondo

Sankrit vs. English

Stephanie B.'s introduction of the above topic on Wellsphere generated  quite a flurry of comments from all sides of the fence. Nirmala R.'s response was well put :

"To reiterate, I can see how the usage of both English and Sanskrit may benefit the unseasoned practitioner, but personally, I don't need to replace "SURYA NAMASKAR" with "Sun Salutation" simply for the purpose that I am a predominantly English speaker. I think I have a preference for the Sanskrit words not only for their BEAUTY and POETRY, but because of the HISTORICAL CONTEXT of the practice.

To me, it's similar to Latinate taxonomy--we don't go around back-translating medical/scientific terms into English willy-nilly because they'd be easier to understand. Respect for the annals of human experience, in addition to the simple need to acknowledge that English itself is an extremely hybridized language, make me that much more open to embracing life, even when it's in an unfamiliar tongue."

And here's what I had to say on the subject 2 years ago (archives?,heh heh) via Julie Diefe of LA YOGA Magazine :

"As proposed by Jivamukti NY’s David Life and Sharon Gannon, a class is a vigorous, physical and spiritual practice that incorporates bhakti. “ Sanskrit is the language of yoga”. It is a vernacular of healing and sacred sound vibration and as such is the dialect of mantra. Encoded in its alphabetic structure are subtle shifts of energetic resonance.

And this via the Indian Mirror: Asanas are the physical faces behind the yogic balance of body mind and spirit. Most asanas have Sanskrit names, which often signify a resemblance to a creature of nature. Some denote vegetative life; others are named after deities, sages, insects, reptiles or mammals. When performing asanas, the body assumes many of these life forms.

Through asanas, human organism is brought several steps closer to nature.

For practitioners who would like to deepen their knowledge of Sanskrit asanas, there are several resources available:

Sanskrit Studies Online: Manorama, the director of the School of Sanskrit Studies in NYC, provides a CD entitled “ Learn to Pronounce Yoga Poses “.

Santosha.com is an online resource for the practice of yoga postures that has an easy index interface.

Nicolai Brachman’s “ The Language of Yoga “ is an interactive book + 2 CD set which includes more than 200 asanas with illustrated yoga postures & 300 Sanskrit definitions.

My own personal resource is Christina Brown’s “ The Yoga Bible “. Christina is a teacher from Sydney, Australia; and has come up with a comprehensive guide to yoga postures. Each posture is titled in English with accompanying Sanskrit name, image, explanation, adjustment, sequence – It is all here.

Perhaps the most comprehensive title available in major bookstore chains is  “ The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga “ by Srivata Ramaswami. Ramaswami is one of Krishnamacharya’s long time students. He seeks to codify his guru’s teachings via the book.

Ultimately, a consistent practice is inspiring, challenging and transforming.

The best way to connect with this powerful force and energy is to understand the language of yoga, open the body, open the heart and communicate.

The resulting ability to fathom a vinyasa like “ SURYA NAMASKAR “ in its totality eventually leads to one’s ability to, just like the Sun, dispel darkness."

Self-Practice :DJ Mark Ronson

This re-worked cut by Mark Ronson of THE SMITH's classic "STOP ME" , has been kick starting my practice after heading in from work. It has enough soul, groove & texture to flow into 6 rounds of CHANDRA NAMASKAR. I'll mix in some Groove Armada & the new Gnarls Barkley for segueing into the asanas : yogi bicycles, HANUMANASANA, PINCHA MAYURASANA, SIRSASANA B , URDHVA DANURASANA & when the spirit is willing, EKA PADA SIRSASANA.Then it's time to can the tunes for surrendering into MEDITATION. The chattering mind is pretty much chilled after vinyasa -

Sri Dharma Mittra :The True Purpose of Asana

Dharma Mittra was travelling when I endeavored to meet him at the Gramercy Park area Dharma Yoga Center (www.dharmayogacenter.com) last year. He left the Brazilian Air Force early on in order to dedicate & devote his life to a guru, Swami Kailashananda. As a dedicated sannyasi & brahmacharya , he created the "Master Yoga Chart of 908 Asanas" as a vehicle for karma yoga. A number of people are of the thought that GENUINE GURUS and the GURU /STUDENT relationship are an anomaly in the 21st CE; that only teachers & instructors remain. Watching Sri Dharma & seeing the light & inspiration he has provided to his devoted students cancels that premise. Jai Sri Dharma , I will learn from you soon - Vid via www.myyogaonline.com.

Darlene d'Arezzo : Prana Tokyo & Joshua Tree

It was good to finally catch-up (and, exchange gifts and eat, eat, eat! *** I can still remember the look on the face of  the bartender as she saw us inhale all the veggie food @ Buddha's Belly. And my look when I saw the coconut tapioca pudding had evaporated into thin air, heh heh : MM )!

I had just gotten in from hosting my annual (and, sold out, btw) family yoga/rock climbing/camping retreat, Yoga Rocks!, when you called.  This year, we had an Easter egg hunt in the rocks and through the campsite .

The I Love Yoga /MahaMondo tee fits perfectly -- it's a snug, comfy fit -- obviously designed for a woman's body.  It's also so soft.  I love it -- maha thanks again!

I know you asked for a tee from my travels to Prana Power Yoga Studio.  But, they did not have any men's shirts in stock.  Naomi (PPYS's owner) thought you might like the eco-bag instead. 
As for my time there, it was AMAZING and I'm loking forward to returning.  Naomi was so gracious and generous.  I fell in love with all my students, big and small. 

Maha blessings,
Darlene

Darlene D'Arezzo
Founder and Director
Santa Monica, CA 90404
www.kidsyogacircle.com

Inner Athlete Yoga : Gordon K.

The recent posts from this blog have started to generate comments on Wellsphere.

Here is one from yogi & teacher based in Seattle,WA ,Gordon K. :

"Anyone who owns a home can have a dedicated yoga room. It's merely a choice or priority. It is not an ultimate luxury. Though it may very well be exactly that in the application MahaMondo outlines.

I have cleared space in my small loft apartment here in seattle. It is not a dedicated yoga room but there is a dedicated human in it. think it's outstanding that someone places enough value on their practice that they would carve out a dedicated space for it, hovel or mansion not withstanding.

But I am curious what "bad manners" and what "yogic tests" he is referring to. ( Chattiness & loud , disrespectful conversation prior to class - best summed up by Wellsphere PRO Stephanie B. as : " Then I realized that everyone was talking really loudly about inane stuff as if it were a high school hallway." )

Students being mindful of each other and behaving accordingly in a yogic context is part of the responsibility the teacher has to impart yoga to the student. There's no issue at all of bad manners in my classes. And when there is an occasional issue I do not hesitate to step in and do my job politely and with compassion."

Thanks for the MAHA comment Greg, I dropped by your blog @ Inner Athlete, and enjoyed the post on the use of Sanskrit  in class.I concur with you that there is no other descriptive (and magical ) way to call an asana.

Team Tibet : Tibet Will Be Free

My introduction to the plight of Tibet ,the concept of re-incarnation and  KUNDUN ( HH, The Dalai Lama )  was via a copy of the classic "Seven Years in Tibet" which I found in my grandfather's library. Subsequent exposure to the Dalai Lama's teachings &  yogi Mike D. of the Beastie Boys championing of the Tibetan cause deepened my connection to the culture & religion.

It is pretty heavy when the headline of my homepage says " Tibetans Expect Little Help from the World". That is mind blowing .Richard Gere and the Thurmans ( Uma, Robert & Dechen) should be conjuring up a benefit shortly.This makes me want to treat the Beijing Olympics as a non-event.

Students for a FreeTibet is an organization that is endeavoring to look beyond the overwhelming clouds of darkness. They have an online store touting "Team Tibet" merch as a reminder to the world . Sale proceeds will fund a series of creative, non-violent campaigns to highlight the situation in Tibet. If you can also avoid buying anything "Made in China", that would help the cause immensely. The Ts & jackets from Team Tibet are American Apparel blanks.

&  Many happy meals to the good folks @  Eater LA for picking up my SBE post yesterday -

Brent Kesell : It's Not About The Money

I had a MAHA but short & long deserved "re-connect"session with my teacher early this evening. It brought me back to a year ago when I was able to practice during the week with him and others. So one of his parting comments was regarding BALANCE , as I  probably looked frazzled from rushing across town and endeavoring to stay on the steep pitch of this treadmill called work .

So as Sting puts it "I have only come here seeking knowledge " , and this title " It's Not About the Money" spoke to me from a search @ Barnes & Noble. Brent Kessel's company, Abacus Wealth Partners,was named one of the top 250 wealth management firms in the US by Bloomberg.

Dubbed a "Financial Soul Searcher", after meeting the Dalai Lama & Mother Teresa as a  young man, Kessel began practicing yoga & meditation & continued on to a career that uniquely combines spirituality & wealth management.

It was also serendipity to find his pic in the Yoga Journal ASANA book recently published by Universe several shelves over. I intend to read the book for the knowledge,clues & roadmap towards INTEGRATION & ABUNDANCE . The dream is possible -

Brent Kessel will have a signing & discussion on April 3rd , Barnes & Noble Third St. Promenade,Santa Monica. ( Image via www.cdn.harpercollins.com.)

Duncan Wong : Yogic Arts

I love this clip of Duncan Wong channeling Bruce Lee in a Hindu Temple -

WellSphere & Yoga Dan @ Lululemon Santa Monica

    There are times when there is just not enough time to allocate or find sources of inspiration for this blog. So I really appreciated it when I received this email from Larisa @ WellSphere as I was waiting for my bags by the carousel @ DFW Airport:

"I came across your blog and think your postings are fantastic!  I love the
way you break down the various elements of yoga and meditation by providing
your readers helpful tips and videos.

  I especially liked your "The Dedicated Yoga Room" entry, and can relate to this because I look forward to someday having a dedicated meditation room.  I work for Wellsphere (www.wellsphere.com), a fast-growing online community for people who want to get active, eat better, and unwind.  I think your professional knowledge combined with your passion for yoga would be really helpful and inspirational to our members ! "

Thanks very much Larisa . Your email was a respite for my weary eyes at midnight Dallas time . The use of the word PASSION is key. Great reminder -

& the dude with the tats above isYoga Dan who I had the opportunity to practice with several times during MonthlyYogaDVD's vid shoot with Cindy Lee last December. YD will be teaching a free class tomorrow ( 03-18)  @ 7PM, Lululemon Santa Monica. You can visit his cool website, www.goodyogalive.com for more info.

SBE Group :Fred Segal Santa Monica

Am back from almost a week in DFW (Dallas / Fort Worth y'all) and as is my wont on Saturday mornings, I head over to  Caffe Divine @ Fred Segal Santa Monica for coffee. As I walked in, had to do a double take as the caffe' had morphed into a "day lounge" , like something you could hang out in South Beach, Sydney or Seminyak.

Turns out those purveyors of " the lifestyle & entertainment experience" SBE Entertainment Group have taken over management. So the tunes, ambiance,vibe & coffee have been tweaked for the better. The manager, ex  Montana Lounger, provided the info. that chef Jose' Andres , who has worked with Ferran Adria of El Bulli in Spain, will be consulting on an organic menu for the cafe' & restaurant. Jose'  will also be partnering with SBE for a restaurant at the SLS Hotel on La Cienega.