Hi Swamis Shabdavani and Priyaratna,
I enjoyed seeing your newsletter and seeing the sorts of things you are
doing in your studio.
I have read various things about yoga nidra. Can you tell me more about
the practice? Is it the same as savasana or is there a special technique
to it that takes you deeper into a sleep-like state? I always felt that
there was something more than savasana to yoga nidra, but I've never been
instructed in it. I came to this belief from an explanation in the 5
Tibetans (have you read that book?) on yoga nidra. The first time the
author really got into yoga nidra he heard himself snoring. This, to me,
sounds different from just deep relaxation...more like lucid dreaming
without the dreaming.
I currently take a Kripalu class, which focuses on emotional states and
tuning within. I love the class, but feel that the lack of physical
challenge takes out part of the thing that I find in yoga, which is
testing my limits...learning to tune out the negative thoughts in the mind
so I can go deeper into a pose than I ever dreamed. In that class I found
other kinds of interior limits, though, that needed exploring...softness
and loving myself. Soon I am studying Ashtanga and Sivananda styles with a
new teacher, when I move. I have never been particularly drawn to
Ashtanga, but I have heard good things about it from others and I am sure
it will handle the physical challenge part for me. The teacher seems
really good so I think I will take regular private sessions with her in
order to get the kind of practice I need, as well as group lessons. I'm
looking forward to getting deep into my yoga practice. I am ready for it
and now I have a wonderful opportunity to experience a new level of yoga.
Thanks for writing back. It's good to hear from you again.
Can you tell me more about the title of Swami? When did you take on the
title? Does someone have to designate you a swami or do you decide in your
heart that this is a title you are ready to take on?
Jai Bhagwan!
Suzanne
--- Gladesville Yoga wrote:
>
> Dear Suzanne,
> Our classes could be described as Hatha yoga asanas and breathing with yoga nidra and meditation practices.
> Most students come to reconnect within, often prompted by a challenge in their lives.
>
> In yoga,
> --
> Swamis Shabdavani and Priyaratna for
> Gladesville Yoga Association Inc.
-- Priyaratna (graceofaum@yahoo.com.au), April 25, 2000
Om Shanti!
Thanks for the sending the files. I glanced through them and I will
work
with this on my own soon. I am sure I'll have more questions about
yoga nidra once I start working with it. I feel lucky to have you to
talk to about this. Yoga really is kind of secretive and still passed
along by word of mouth more than books.
So, if you are from the Sivananda tradition, we will soon have
something in common since my new teacher is Sivananda trained. As I
learn more about Sivananda, I will be glad to have you to talk to. I
read a book about it but it is hard to glean the subtle differences
between different schools of thought from just a beginner book. My
impression of Sivananda has always been that it is more about bringing
spirituality into your whole life, not just focused on asana...more of
a holy practice than some of the other styles.
Iyengar, which I was trained in, I am coming more and more to the
conclusion is primarily a health practice. At least, the more I look
at it from that perspective, the more sense the style makes to me.
Iyengar himself is very spiritual and I have a huge respect for him.
He is correct that good health is essential for happiness, I think, so
there is a solid foundation to his approach. I think it resonnates
here in the U.S. because we need to take care of the basics of
learning to care for ourselves before we can plunge more deeply into a
spiritual practice.
Namaste!
Suzanne
-- Priyaratna (graceofaum@yahoo.com.au), April 25, 2000.