My Return to Mysore (class)

Back on track. What a relief to know that it wasn't as troublesome to resume my Ashtanga yoga practice. It certainly helped that I attended a Mysore class at Chi last Saturday, my first in almost 3 months. I got cold feet and was worried my memory would fail me, true enough I forgot probably 4 asanas including Navasana (and that's why my abs didn't hurt the next day). I rocked around more than 9 times in Garbha Pindasana and went straight to walking the wall after Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana. I was worn out taking so many vinyasas but at least I kept my hands flat in trini and ashtau throughout the series. Felt a little spoiled after being adjusted by my teachers. I had gotten used to getting into problem poses on my own during self-practise. And boy, was it magical to perspire so much and hear that collective, sibilant ujayii breathing again. ONE breath, together as Becky would say.

To re-connect with my teachers, friends and familiar faces at Yoga Manila was sooo comforting. I soon felt like I was back to my old self. Had a delicious lunch of Salmon sa Miso and Okoy with Lyn and Sash at nearby Heat at the Shang. Then checked out the new Certified Calm merchandise. By bedtime I still had leftover adrenaline that kept me awake. My mind was filled with familiar feelings: contentment, gratitude, some relaxation, a lot of mentally dissecting asanas. I don't have that feeling of being "gone" just yet. But I am definitely looking forward to it. Om gate gate, para gate, parasam gate, Bodhi svaha.

First yoga of the year

I was very happy to see my teacher, Peachie Kilayko, at my first Led class of the year. I had missed about 4 classes in December to attend to deadlines and a yaya who fell ill and had been hospitalized.

So I was raring to yoga more so because I knew I would see my yogini friend Lyn and other classmates again.

Peachie and I didn’t expect Hoze Arando to walk in. Today he was not teaching just practicing, said Hoze who handles the morning Mysore classes in Makati during the week.

One by one, the expats trickled in: Rica who is Japanese and a regular Yoga Manila practitioner on Saturdays; Silvina Gall from Argentina graciously hosted the YM Christmas party; Onanchi Chappett and her husband; and Bob, the newbie from Britain. With Margo Lao, Hoze, Lyn and I, there we were only nine practitioners in all. I guess I was buoyed by the company I found myself in because practice was wonderful! Hoze is a YM founder and has been "practicing yoga longer than anybody”; Margo Lao is YM’s instructor in Ortigas and who will teach at YM’s newest shala in Chi Spa located at the Shangrila Hotel by February; Rica, Silvina and Onanchi are all hardcore primary series practitioners; and Lyn and I still exchanged energies despite being at a distance from each other.

Margo Lao photo by Rheia Ramos - Yeo

I was anticipating being more sluggish than usual after having had my fill of holiday food. But I was charged right from the Suryas all through the finishing sequence. Though I admit I couldn’t roll around as smoothly after Garbha Pindasana and actually rolled back and forth about a dozen times before settling into Kukkutasana.

That morning yoga was almost like the first day I tried it. Unconsciously I must have heeded Hoze’s words when I shared with him my apprehension over being in pain the next day. He said to just let go and practice as if I was experiencing Ashtanga Yoga for the first time. And it was magic. I’m hooked more than ever. Om.