Back to Zero

Trying to find the stillness as I go back to zero.
Still reeling from the "incident" last week and losing lots of sleep because of it. I realise that I could have been one of those people other people will know to have died senselessly. "Did you hear about Tong's daughter?", I imagine would be the conversation piece. Having grace under pressure was one of my best assets at the height of my career. But I have lost those nerves of steel after coming so close to danger on a highway that is notorious for robbery and bloody road mishaps, usually staged and perpetrated by the police some say. Oddly, the German car I used to drive never attracted criminal minds, who last weekend picked on my nondescript Nissan sedan. This is "karma" for what, I really don't know. Just grateful for the wonderful memories of the John Scott workshop which take my mind off the horrible, harrowing, traumatic experience. Slowly, I hope to find peace and the stillpoint. Om.

Blindfold Yoga

I have always dreamt of doing yoga blindfolded. To my mind, yoga with your eyes closed would mean that as a practitioner, you have acquired the mental fortitude to control your body's movements. Minus the sense of sight, I also imagine that paying attention to the breath would not only be facilitated but enjoyable as well (just like during seated meditation?).

So it was so gratifying to learn from my teacher Connie Ponce that one of my all-time Ashtangi idols--John Scott--practises in this manner. Watch John during a recent workshop in Oslo where he demonstrates the Sun Salutations and other Primary Series poses blindfolded. Later, John conducts the class and instructs participants to keep their eyes shut.

Can't wait. Am counting the months, weeks and days. Om.

The Gateway

Mind. Power. Grace. Breath. Yoga Manila teacher Rebecca de Villa embodies all these when dropping back then standing up from Urdhva Dhanurasana, which is considered the gateway to the Intermediate Series. Rebecca had the privilege of training under John Scott and his wife Lucy at Stillpoint Yoga, New Zealand. John Scott is one of few Ashtanga yoga instructors in the world certified by the late, great Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
Isn't Rebecca amazing? Om.