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.

Shitali Pranayama

This video was posted by Berta Feliciano on the Yoga Manila Facebook site. If you want to hear what a roomful of Ashtangis practising sounds like, watch this clip from Greenpeace titled "Breathe in, breathe out". It can also be very useful to remember the images and soundtrack during practice.

I've been practising quite regularly already and have been attending Mysore classes thrice a week. As a result, I've finally memorized the primary series (hooray!). One side effect though is that I've developed a man-size appetite, especially after yoga.

One of my yoga teachers suggests doing Shitali Pranayama to curb my appetite. Shitali means cooling. It is a pranayama which cools the whole body so it is best done in hot weather or at the end of a vigorous yoga session.

1. Sit in a comfortable cross-legged position in a well ventilated room free from any distractions. Keep the waist, back, neck and spine straight.

2. Take two or three deep inhales and exhales through the nose to prepare.

3. Open your mouth slightly, in such a way that the tip of your tongue should be closer to both lines of the teeth. Now roll the tongue, curling the sides in towards the center to form a tube. Stick the end of the tongue out between your pursed lips. If you can't roll your tongue, just purse the lips making a small `o` shape with the mouth.

4. Inhale through the tube of the tongue.

5. Exhale through the nose.

6. Repeat 5-10 times as you feel the cooling effect.

Benefits of Shitali Pranayama

1. It has great energizing, soothing, relaxing and cooling effects on all the nerve channels and on the whole body.

2. It has a pacifying and relieving effect for various troubles such as headache and fever.

3. The Pranayama purifies the blood expelling the toxins.

4. Shitali pranayama is also highly recommended as an immediate remedy for nervousness.

5. Diseases like tumor, jaundice, skin diseases, fever are cured and it also corrects indigestion and constipation.

6. It quenches the thirst. Hence if one feels thirsty and hungry at a place where water and food are not available, this pranayama could be tried.

7. It activates the liver and improves digestion.

Caution

This Pranayam should not be practiced in case of heavy cough or cold, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and low blood pressure.

Will explore this pranayama technique more and see how effective it is. Big thanks to Maritoni Tordesillas for sharing this tip and giving new insights into Janu A, B and C.