"Wax in, wax out."
These words were immortalized in the teen pic Karate Kid which I caught on betamax back in the ‘80s. For many, the movie brought stardom for lead actor Ralph Macchio. But for me, Karate Kid was more memorable for making the late Pat Morita a household name.
Anyway, this movie came to mind recently during Mysore class. I had finished Marichy C and was preparing for the disappointment of not being able to bind by myself yet again in Marichy D.
These words were immortalized in the teen pic Karate Kid which I caught on betamax back in the ‘80s. For many, the movie brought stardom for lead actor Ralph Macchio. But for me, Karate Kid was more memorable for making the late Pat Morita a household name.
Anyway, this movie came to mind recently during Mysore class. I had finished Marichy C and was preparing for the disappointment of not being able to bind by myself yet again in Marichy D.
Marichyasana D
I had been seriously working on this pose since January and was beginning to lose confidence in my abilities and began to find fault in my anatomy. Marichyasana D has been my waterloo in the Primary Series along with Urdhva Dhanurasana--the backbend--which I can’t sustain for more than 5 breaths at a time and Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana simply because I’d like to bring my face closer to my shins.
I also began to worry about whether or not my teachers had grown impatient over my lack of improvement. At the same time I began to question the hands-on mode of instruction: is it really necessary to physically touch and adjust students or is it more effective to verbally coach them step-by-step?
The answer came just before my teacher was to bind me in Marichy D. His attention shifted momentarily to another student and as he stood up to assist her, I decided to work on my own and—surprise! surprise!—one arm wrapped around my bent knee and both my hands met at the base of my twisted back. I didn’t get the pose perfectly—I still need to close the gap between my knee and arm, relax my shoulders after binding, and breeeaaathe—but I realized that I was able to bind on my own because my body had gotten used to being compressed in Marichy D. The best part is, nothing hurt: not my knee, my back, nor my injured ankle tucked in half-lotus.
The scene from Karate Kid then flashed before me. Mr. Miyagi teaching Daniel-San how to properly polish a car following “wax in-wax out” strokes, which teacher and student did ad nauseum and which was beginning to bore the young apprentice who was only eager to learn high-flying karate chops. Fast forward to a defining moment in the film where the bully was about to descend on Daniel, who surprised himself by instinctively deflecting blows in wax in-wax out fashion. Then and only then did student appreciate the wisdom and teachings of his mentor.
As for me, I have renewed respect and deep gratitude for my Yoga Manila teachers—Jon Cagas and Connie Ponce (a.k.a. “Mother Superior” for deftly combining no mercy with compassion during LED class) who both patiently bind me in Marichy D every single time. In case you're interested in trying yoga in YM Ortigas, Jon and Connie's teaching styles are very complementary. Both were certified by Paul Dallaghan and share a passion for teaching yoga and its philosophy both on and off the mat.
So bless you Pat Morita, you are not only a shining example of Asian-American actors making it big in Hollywood but also now a symbol for my triumph over Marichyasana D. And if you aspire to be like the “Karate Kid”, then welcome your teacher’s adjustments, resist your body’s urge to stiffen, and allow your teachers to mould your body into the pose. Success will come sooner or later.
I also began to worry about whether or not my teachers had grown impatient over my lack of improvement. At the same time I began to question the hands-on mode of instruction: is it really necessary to physically touch and adjust students or is it more effective to verbally coach them step-by-step?
The answer came just before my teacher was to bind me in Marichy D. His attention shifted momentarily to another student and as he stood up to assist her, I decided to work on my own and—surprise! surprise!—one arm wrapped around my bent knee and both my hands met at the base of my twisted back. I didn’t get the pose perfectly—I still need to close the gap between my knee and arm, relax my shoulders after binding, and breeeaaathe—but I realized that I was able to bind on my own because my body had gotten used to being compressed in Marichy D. The best part is, nothing hurt: not my knee, my back, nor my injured ankle tucked in half-lotus.
The scene from Karate Kid then flashed before me. Mr. Miyagi teaching Daniel-San how to properly polish a car following “wax in-wax out” strokes, which teacher and student did ad nauseum and which was beginning to bore the young apprentice who was only eager to learn high-flying karate chops. Fast forward to a defining moment in the film where the bully was about to descend on Daniel, who surprised himself by instinctively deflecting blows in wax in-wax out fashion. Then and only then did student appreciate the wisdom and teachings of his mentor.
As for me, I have renewed respect and deep gratitude for my Yoga Manila teachers—Jon Cagas and Connie Ponce (a.k.a. “Mother Superior” for deftly combining no mercy with compassion during LED class) who both patiently bind me in Marichy D every single time. In case you're interested in trying yoga in YM Ortigas, Jon and Connie's teaching styles are very complementary. Both were certified by Paul Dallaghan and share a passion for teaching yoga and its philosophy both on and off the mat.
So bless you Pat Morita, you are not only a shining example of Asian-American actors making it big in Hollywood but also now a symbol for my triumph over Marichyasana D. And if you aspire to be like the “Karate Kid”, then welcome your teacher’s adjustments, resist your body’s urge to stiffen, and allow your teachers to mould your body into the pose. Success will come sooner or later.
