I was able to make it to Chad Herst's morning Mysore class at Mission Ashtanga shortly after 6 AM.
As I rolled down the still dark streets of the Mission in the cab , it felt like I was back in Ipanema . The Mission still has a distinct Latin American vibe to it . The commercial building where Mission Ashtanga is located has the same feel as the space where Blyss Ipanema is housed. It felt like home.
It was also the first time that I got to start while a teacher was doing his own practice. And that was how it was this morning , with Chad halfway through his series & myself in the initial Surya Namaskars. The Sun Room was still dark , but slowly , more students trickled in & their sounds of ujjayi started to fill the room.
Chad describes Mysore-style on their website as " the equivalent of a private master class with the support of group energy. In other words , a student has the opportunity to be inspired by the intensity of the class & the direction & support of the teacher . When a student finds his or her yoga home , indeed it is like coming home. Both the relationship with the teacher & the class as a whole cradles & supports them in achieving yoga , however the student chooses to define that word. "
And as I caught another cab back to my hotel near Union Square , I felt comforted after class. Comforted by the welcome I had received at the shala & by the after effects of the practice itself. Calm enough now to deal with the three meetings I had today & deal with the flight back to LA.
I am also looking forward to performing SEVA for Maharaja tomorrow as he had asked me mid-week when I could come for darshan. And that will also feel like coming home, albeit a spiritual one.
Image of the Sun Room via Chad Herst.
