Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Emotional pit.

Was incredibly tempted today to stay home and have an extra hour of sleep. Went anyway. Was just as angry as yesterday. What is funny, though, I am having the best practices of my life during all this turmoil. It feels like anger fuels the practice, makes me more determined and less prone to slacking off. So much for the tranquility of the mind and the cessation of the fluctuations and so on. This energy does not last long though. I collapsed yesterday at 8:30 and barely made it to the pillow.

It is sad that we do not have much choices in DC in terms of Ashtanga. The only other studio does not have a very early Mysore, so it would not work for me. Sigh. I am being silly, of course. I love David and Keith, and me being mad just reflects more my own shortcomings, and less theirs. Sigh again. OK, I think I am done with the tantrum. Sorry, everyone!

15 comments:

ashtanga en cevennes said...

Chin up, Alfia!

That's funny that your teachers are named David and Keith. How Six Feet Under! They're not a couple, are they?

Natalie said...

Hi Alfia,

I am located in DC and I highly recommend you try out one of Antonella Accinellis' Ashtanga classes. She teaches at Georgetown yoga and Woodley Park Yoga. She gives great adjustments and she is a caring and supportive teacher. I practice mysore style at home because of my work schedule but I go to Antonellas' led classes when ever I need some inspiration.

alfia said...

I haven't thought about it, JS! And I love Six Feet Under.
No, they are not a couple. They are as hetero, as one can be. Very masculine...

alfia said...

Hi, Natalie!
I will definitely try her classes. Thank you for the suggestion! :)

Boodiba said...

Oooh Angry Practice. I think that'd be preferable to my Confused Sad Sack rendition.

Jeez.

Hollywood needs to release one good comedy per week?

alfia said...

Do you think a comedy would help? Sex didn't. Food didn't. Sleep didn't. Need to try a comedy, I guess. :)

Anonymous said...

I don't know, I actually really understand where you are coming from. Even though we all have things to work on - no one's practice is perfect, when you're stuck at the same pose for what seems like ages (a year, a year and a half, whatever) we need a new challenge. We get BORED. Maybe I'm just a bad ashtangi because I can't sit there and get excited about freaking breathing and what not.

I say take a kick ass, amazing, great music vinyasa class where you do things from third series. HA!

xxxx

alfia said...

Oh, thank you, Anna! You do understand me.
Need to find a class. Wait, I teach a class like that! Without music, but quite kick-assy. :D

susananda said...

Well, looking at the bright side... at least you got to TRY sex and see if it worked??

I have practices where I'm just fuming as well.

He may observe for a few days and not find a reason to hold you back, you know...

Anonymous said...

Obviously I'm biased on this...

David and Keith's students are some of the strongest, most focused, and traditional practitioners I've met. There are of course many other teachers that also seem to have a knack for strong devoted students: Eddie, Hamish, etc.

During the best of times you tend to just appreciate how strong their making you, how they really are taking you so far beyond the asanas. Of course, that kind of teaching comes with certain "hurdles" as well as benefits. So, at other times, "pit" times let's say, it can certainly feel like their simply being unnecessarily harsh or that they don't "really" know our practice.

What ever you do, just keep practicing. You've got a strong, focused, dedicated practice.

ashtanga en cevennes said...

Eddie or Keith, is that you?

Just kidding. Feeling any better today, Alfia?

alfia said...

Hi, Anon:
Thank you, you are right. I should feel privileged to practice in a place like AYC, among so many wonderful and inspiring yoga practitioners. I feel kind of stupid now after this public outburst.

Hi, JS:
I am feeling vastly better! I should mark my calendar for the "danger zones" and always look there when I have the urge to lash out. :)

Natalie said...

I always assumed Keith and David were a couple. I don't get it? Why do they teach together? Why is David the one giving out postures when Keith is the authorized teacher?

alfia said...

Morning, Natalie!

David is married and Keith is a little bit of a player (at least that is what I heard), but he is into girls, too. I saw his latest girlfriend the other day - very lovely lady. David has a seniority in the studio. First of all, he is the owner. Also, if I am not mistaken, he taught Keith early in the days. So he decides who gets a pose and who does not.

Anonymous said...

"Why is David the one giving out postures when Keith is the authorized teacher?"

Parampara.

 

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