108 backbend experience.... at the annual IYIGNY "Yogathon" Fundraiser, on Sunday, June 3, 2007significance of 108
A humble note of gratitude to my Iyengar colleagues: I see every day, every breath as a re-birth, but at the brink of my 50th year, it has taken on some unexpected significance. I want to thank all of you who have such dedicated, strong and disciplined practices. It has helped me step up to the plate of my own infinite possibility. It has been a privilege to witness and be inspired by all of you! Due to your trail blazing, I have set new standards for myself. You are all my teachers.
Sutra I.14 Long, uninterrupted, alert practice is the firm foundation of restraining the fluctuations.
Sutra II.43 Self-discipline (tapas) burns away impurities and kindles the sparks of divinity.
Thank you letter to my yoga teacher and mentor, Aadil Palkhivala:
Dear Aadil,
Good yoga news....
Much with memories of your many stories of 250 backbends, etc., and stories of 75 backbends (Urdhva Dhanurasana) for Iyengar's 75th birthday, I chose to ready myself for 50 backbends for my 50th birthday (this first week of June) to perform at our annual NYIYI fundraiser. I figured by the time I'm 75 I will be able to do 75, demonstrate them with more grace, and perhaps even all in a row. The difficult part for me had been going into and coming out of the pose, with the biggest challenge being lack of strength in my quads.
I built up from 20 (two days after the first 20, my quads - my previously weak area, were sore) in the last few weeks to 30, 35, 40, then 45, so I knew I could manage 50. After each incremental increase of 5, about two days later, I "felt" my quads a little walking downstairs.
When I first studied with you in Bellevue, Aadil, I was shocked during class when you nonchalantly instructed, "okay, everyone, do 8-10 UD to warm up." "8-10!!!" I thought to myself! Up until then, I had thought 5 was a big accomplishment. I struggled in the class to do 6-8, and gradually, on my own, was able to do 8-10 as an easy warm up.
In a later class, we had warmed up and focused on intricate details in UD. Then you said, casually, "okay, everyone, we'll hold for 2 minutes." "2 MINUTES!!!" I thought to myself.... "Blah blah blah," my mind said.... So, in my own practice, I started with one minute. Gradually, I built up to two minutes, with struggle. Then I worked to take out the struggle. I arrived at two minutes of (mostly) 'effortless effort' in UD. At the time, these were lofty accomplishments. This method of non-violent goal-setting carried me with grace to greater levels in my asana practice, especially being on my own much of the time. So, I had you and your calm voice very much in my thoughts during these last few weeks' build-up for the "big event".
In preparation for my big feat, I used these Sunrider foods*: Every day about a week before: 5-7 Sportcaps and 1 Sunrise prior to yoga practice, the basics, + my daily usual which have lately included: one 1-2 Evergreen, 1 Electrosport, Metabooster (15 - 5, 3x a day), JOI, BP, etc. On the day of the event, I had 5-8 Sportcaps almost every hour from the late morning (about 5x total), 3 Sunrise and 3 Evergreen spread out that morning until the event. The day after, 5 Sportcaps every other hour the first half of the day. Hardly any soreness at all in my quads afterwards, just a little in my left triceps, about 2 days later. Amazing!
During the event, the last 10 (to reach 50) were so easy, with all the cheering, that, in honor of Mr. Iyengar (and for a few more funds raised) I ventured to do up to 75, (previously unthinkable for me!). Fairly easily accomplished!
I wondered, when else would I have the opportunity to have this energetic support? - so I went for the 108! A piece of cake! I'd never done anything like this. I felt like I could have continued with 108 more, so much was stirred up and awakened...In the stillness afterwards, I had a beautiful and profound meditation, fanning the tremendous tapas present into various areas of my life. I arose quite calm, with a wonderful feeling of entering this new phase of life beginning at 50, a quiet and humble knowingness. From the known to the unknown, we can all do almost anything!
Thank you for being part of my inner inspiration.
Namaste,
Much with memories of your many stories of 250 backbends, etc., and stories of 75 backbends (Urdhva Dhanurasana) for Iyengar's 75th birthday, I chose to ready myself for 50 backbends for my 50th birthday (this first week of June) to perform at our annual NYIYI fundraiser. I figured by the time I'm 75 I will be able to do 75, demonstrate them with more grace, and perhaps even all in a row. The difficult part for me had been going into and coming out of the pose, with the biggest challenge being lack of strength in my quads.
I built up from 20 (two days after the first 20, my quads - my previously weak area, were sore) in the last few weeks to 30, 35, 40, then 45, so I knew I could manage 50. After each incremental increase of 5, about two days later, I "felt" my quads a little walking downstairs.
When I first studied with you in Bellevue, Aadil, I was shocked during class when you nonchalantly instructed, "okay, everyone, do 8-10 UD to warm up." "8-10!!!" I thought to myself! Up until then, I had thought 5 was a big accomplishment. I struggled in the class to do 6-8, and gradually, on my own, was able to do 8-10 as an easy warm up.
In a later class, we had warmed up and focused on intricate details in UD. Then you said, casually, "okay, everyone, we'll hold for 2 minutes." "2 MINUTES!!!" I thought to myself.... "Blah blah blah," my mind said.... So, in my own practice, I started with one minute. Gradually, I built up to two minutes, with struggle. Then I worked to take out the struggle. I arrived at two minutes of (mostly) 'effortless effort' in UD. At the time, these were lofty accomplishments. This method of non-violent goal-setting carried me with grace to greater levels in my asana practice, especially being on my own much of the time. So, I had you and your calm voice very much in my thoughts during these last few weeks' build-up for the "big event".
In preparation for my big feat, I used these Sunrider foods*: Every day about a week before: 5-7 Sportcaps and 1 Sunrise prior to yoga practice, the basics, + my daily usual which have lately included: one 1-2 Evergreen, 1 Electrosport, Metabooster (15 - 5, 3x a day), JOI, BP, etc. On the day of the event, I had 5-8 Sportcaps almost every hour from the late morning (about 5x total), 3 Sunrise and 3 Evergreen spread out that morning until the event. The day after, 5 Sportcaps every other hour the first half of the day. Hardly any soreness at all in my quads afterwards, just a little in my left triceps, about 2 days later. Amazing!
During the event, the last 10 (to reach 50) were so easy, with all the cheering, that, in honor of Mr. Iyengar (and for a few more funds raised) I ventured to do up to 75, (previously unthinkable for me!). Fairly easily accomplished!
I wondered, when else would I have the opportunity to have this energetic support? - so I went for the 108! A piece of cake! I'd never done anything like this. I felt like I could have continued with 108 more, so much was stirred up and awakened...In the stillness afterwards, I had a beautiful and profound meditation, fanning the tremendous tapas present into various areas of my life. I arose quite calm, with a wonderful feeling of entering this new phase of life beginning at 50, a quiet and humble knowingness. From the known to the unknown, we can all do almost anything!
Thank you for being part of my inner inspiration.
Namaste,
joni
disclaimer about my photo, which is the only one I have, taken at the event - it was definitely not the best moment to snap the shutter, as i am probably not all the way in the pose, or perhaps on the way out - with photos, we must practice vairag (detachment) :)
*Sunrider foods are highly concentrated live foods with enzymes, anti-oxidants and wholeness intact. I eat and drink them every day for extreme health. more on them in other posts, by request.
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