25/05/2020
Earlier on this spring, I decided to film myself practicing one of my go-to yoga sequences - the Primary Series from the Ashtanga school of yoga (though a much shortened version of the full sequence). I felt moved to share this practice with you because it's become an important part of my yoga lifestyle.
I used to really dislike Ashtanga Yoga, believing it to be too rigid and hard on the body (I have quite a few issues with my spine and some muscle damage), so I dismissed it for years. Then, a few years ago, my family decided to start a big fundraising campaign for my brother, who had been ill for many years with a sever form of ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, so he could try stem-cell therapy. I knew I needed a strong daily yoga practice to take on as a challenge for the duration of the campaign, so I chose the Ashtanga Primary Series.
I started the challenge on the Autumn Equinox (21st September), the same day the fundraising campaign went live, and practiced the full sequence everyday (about 1.5 hours or so) - although I couldn't actually manage some of the postures, as they were too advanced for my body! The 3 months were full of pains in my body, a pulled muscle or two, and a feeling of strength and purpose! I finally completed the challenge on the Winter Solstice (21st December), which was the exact day the fundraising campaign met the target! It felt like the strong intention I'd set with the Ashtanga practice has seen the campaign through from start to finish, it was quite miraculous.
Even though I had completed the challenge, I didn't really want to stop. I had fallen in love with the Ashtanga practice and it felt so good having a familiar sequence to turn to whenever I wanted to. I have modified the sequence a great deal, mainly leaving out the complicated, contortionist poses, and I've settled for the surya namaska (sun salutations), the standing sequence, half of the primary series, and the finishing sequence. I don't tend to practice the headstand (at the end of the finishing sequence), unless I have a wall handy, as my funny wonky body wont stay upright and doesn't really like it. I certainly don't practice this sequence everyday anymore, often choosing more gentle yoga and my own sequences - but when I do it's like coming home to an old friend, one who I might not have seen for a while, but they are still so familiar and the friendship is still very strong.
I really hope you enjoy this yoga practice - let me know in the comments how it was for you, I'd love to hear. I will make a few variations on the Primary Series in the future.
My brother did go and have the stem-cell treatment over in Germany, and it was quite a powerful experience for him. The main benefit came from his experience of the massive out-pouring of love and support for him from friends and strangers, people wishing him well and desperately hoping for his recovery. I think this gave him a reason to carry on and has helped in through the past few years. Sadly the treatment itself didn't seem to heal him in the way we'd all hoped and we're still looking ways we can support my brother back to health. It's been 18 years now of sever ill health, but he still has that spark that shows us that he's open to new ideas and the possibility of really living once more.
Check out my website all things yoga that I'm doing and to see what's happening at the beautiful Angel Hall: https://www.totnesyoga.co.uk
If you wish to donate to support me making these videos, you can follow this link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=W1LQSJwK-D2wsjeeL2O0PO1zwAJ29XQcWWFQfOBBueKmNDKhj1i_SD5N6S4bO0iUfACQ40&country.x=GB&locale.x=GB
https://youtu.be/tjbXCaHpvTA
Earlier on this spring, I decided to film myself practicing one of my go-to yoga sequences - the Primary Series from the Ashtanga school of yoga (though a mu...
