Tuesdays with Hanumanji  
I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such an incredible group of individuals. Tim and Carol invited the community over to their house this evening for a wonderful meal and a chance to relax and to get to know everyone outside of the studio environment. There are 40 people involved in the training and each person is so incredibly interesting to talk to. I found myself in such good conversation that when left I was a bit on cloud nine. Tim and Carol are so gracious and it is a treat to go to their home and have “fellowship” outside under the beautiful Encinitas night sky. What I am finding very interesting about this training is that everyone here expresses so much enthusiasm and dedication to the practice and have done so for such a long period of time it is causing me to feel as if I am a part of something much bigger. 

  
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we sang two incredible Hanuman Chalisas today. The Hanuman Chalisa has this ethereal ability to help dispel some of the inhibitions that block our creativity and sense of achievement. Every Tuesday Tim sings the Hanuman Chalisa after the morning Pranayama and Led Primary Series class. Today there were over 50 of us in the room with everyone participating in the singing of the Chalisa. I am going to go out on a limb here and say I think may have been the best one I have experienced yet. However I am a bit prone to feeling that way when it comes to yoga practice so I wouldn’t be surprised If I feel the same way tomorrow.

  
This mornings’ Pranayama session was “extra spicy” today. Tim turned up the “heat” a bit and gave a couple of long breath holds that got the day started with a solid jolt to the old nervous system. After Pranayama I sat and observed Tim teach the Led Primary Series class. The energy in the room so palpable because Tim worked the practice in a way that I have never seen before. I found myself so glad I was observing because it looked like everyone was so in the zone and focussed and yet people started to quiver and shake and melt down and a few tears were even shed and it got me teary eyed. I caught myself thinking how could watching a yoga session bring me to tears? I am telling you it was that intense. I felt a bit of a headache come on. You know the ones that start when you begin detoxing from intense sweat and focus? What better way to work through a good headache than to practice a Mysore session! So that is what I did. I am being a bit facetious but it did actually help. I had a great realization during practice today. I have noticed that a competitive nature in this environment is really not very beneficial at all. I started to let go of that nagging sense that I needed to perform. I had the thought, “perhaps I could advance by letting go of wanting to advance.” So there is this incredible dance of working harder than one has ever done before and simultaneously letting go of any inclination toward thinking it is possible to move forward without the entire group doing so together. Kind of like knowing you could push to try to be better that your neighbor but it is so much more fun to help your neighbor and both move forward together. Yet how do we do this when no words are exchanged and we are simply moving through our routine silently next to each other? This is where I think it possible to do this by really becoming aware of what our motivation is and then by cultivating a compassionate position it just emanates and that is all there is to it. There was a point where one of the practitioners across from me smiled and joked by saying, “what are we doing this for?” I thought about that for a moment as we were soaked in sweat and working so intensely. This is such an important question! We know the answer to this by this stage in the game. We are dong this because we LOVE it! 

  
Speaking of love, that brings me back to the Hanuman Chalisa. We had a second go at playing and singing it in the afternoon and guess what? It was even better than the one before! 🙂

Sweat Like There is No Tomorrow  
5:00am ~ It was a full day to say the least. I am so lucky to have Tamara’s grandma living right here in Encinitas and for her to be sweet enough to have me as her guest while here. 5:00am start isn’t so bad really. It is an hour later than 4:00am so it is kind of like sleeping in.
6:00am ~ Pranayama with Tim. Back in the day when I first started practicing pranayama with Tim the other students used to make joke that it should be called suffocation class. In the “Traditional Ashtanga Pranayama” routine we practice breathing very rhythmically and using breath holdings after inhales and also exhales. First question is usually why would you want to do that? Patanjali says that it “removes the veil that hides the inner light.” All in all it helps to restore vitality to the nervous system. It also creates a situation that usually invokes panic and our job is to somehow override this panic and face the challenge with equanimity. When I practice pranayama on my own of course I don’t push the envelope so extreme. Tim is a master in pranayama however and what is easy for him is very advanced for beginners. And oh yes I feel like a beginner in the pranayama realm. Today I thought, just chill Todd, no big deal, you know the practice well, just be chill. For the first half of the routine I had the thought, perhaps I am starting to get this. I feel quite relaxed. Then it switched over into full on sweats over my whole body and a couple of cheats(sucking air in as quietly as possible) just to slide through. It was so awesome though. I love practicing pranayama with Tim! It is such a treat to have someone so good at something lead the pace and to try to keep up as best as possible.
7:00am ~ Mysore with Tim and assistants. 51 people squeezed in wall to wall, 3/4 of which practicing 2nd, 3rd and some 4th. The energy was through the roof! The focus of the group was so smooth and even it was a such a treat. I feel like I thrive in this environment. I also sweat so intensely and it got so hot in the room that I was completely drenched and it just kept pouring out of me. I made it through 2nd and a portion of 3rd and was so happy to make it to backbends. When someone left and opened the door it felt like a cool breeze of fresh energy washed over me and gave me one last burst before drop backs with Tim and into the finishing series. A nice long savasana or ‘take rest’ period and then peeled myself off the floor and outside into the beautiful 70 degree Encinitas air. Quite heavenly I must say. I love the morning vibe here so much.
9:00am Shower, laundry, breakfast, more green tea and a bit of rest. 🙂
12:00pm – 5:00pm ~ Teacher Training. Like all good trainings with Tim we start at the beginning. Here are a couple of observations:
Surya Namaskar A & B ~ Samasthitihi means “complete steadiness.” I like this translation. When moving through the vinyasa and we completed the 5th breath after the downward facing dog at 6, Guruji would always say Sapta(7) Jump-Inhale. Tim’s interpretation is jump while the lungs are empty and then begin the inhale once you land in Ardha Uttanasana and lift the head up. As opposed to trying to inhale all the way from down dog mid air and keep inhaling all the way through. That seems very intuitive to me and it makes sense and it is always nice to observe Tim’s practical reasoning when analyzing the finer details. The same rule applies in Surya Namaskar B when traveling in the 7th and 11th vinyasa where we step forward into Virabhadrasana or Warrior pose. Guruji would say Sapta(7) Right legnhale. Tim took this to mean keep the breath out while stepping forward and then once the foot is planted take inhale as the arms move over the head. This also make practical sense if you try it.
Kirtan – We took a 30 minute break and then came back and Tim got out the harmonium and it was time for some philosophy and kirtan(devotional songs). I have really grown to love this over the years. I was shy in this arena at the start but this is one of my most favorite parts of practice with Tim. One thing that becomes apparent when studying with Tim is that you are going to traverse a wide landscape in the yoga globe. Tim brings all of the elements to the table so that you feel as if this truly is not just about asana. He weaves the asana, pranayama, philosophy, mythology, sanskrit, chanting, song and meditation into one continuous experience so effortlessly that you feel as if you are experiencing yoga in its true authenticity. A couple of quick notes here:
In ancient times there were three main branches of study in the realm of self realization. There was of course yoga which cultivated self knowledge. Ayurveda to generate good health and Jyotish which could help one understand the universe and our relationship to it. There is a beginning and an end process in yoga. The fire is first and foremost and the last stage is surrender. Guruji would say “Isvara is the only Guru.” Isvara is always trying to teach us which is the good news. The bad news is we are not always listening. Isvara Pranidhana is surrender to the “Big Guru.”
Today is Monday which is ruled by the moon and therefore the presiding diety is Shiva. So we sang some Shiva songs to the rhythm of the harmonium and drum and it was quite pleasant and a nice way to relax and digest after some lunch.
Padangusthasana & Padahastasana ~ question: Should elbows be out to the side or in? answer: Personal preference. Bringing the elbows in enables us to broaden the shoulder blades.

also: If the toe tips turn white due to the blood rushing out, this demonstrates inappropriate effort and a more balanced approach is necessary. 
Utthita Trikonasana & Parvritta Trikonasana ~ question? Should we grab the big toe no matter what? answer: If in the zeal to reach the toe we throw everything into gross misalignment then it might be more appropriate to catch the ankle. Of course there was a lot more than this however it is getting late and another pranayama session awaits early in the morning. 🙂
5:30pm ~ 7:00pm Intro to Mysore class taught by Tim. Each day we are encouraged to take a class and then to also observe or help assist in a class. Today I sat and took detailed notes of the sequence Tim uses to introduce the Ashtanga practice to his students. I have sat and observed him teach this class several times as well as taken quite a few times and this is truly one of my favorites. Tim begins the session by talking a little bit about the history of Ashtanga and explains the 8 Limb practice in a way that it doesn’t seem to overwhelming. Beyond the actual mechanics of how he creates a very effective beginning routine I think it his passion to still be teaching this beginning class however many years later that is the most appealing. Sometimes we forget how wonderful the foundation it. By just taking it slow and breaking it down step by step we actually can feel more connected as opposed to thinking that by going more extreme with the postures is the only path to further growth. It is Tim’s patience and good sense of humor that I found so endearing since day one. It got really hot in the room and Tim said, “it is getting hot in here, should we turn on the a/c?” One of the students replied with an astounding “Yes!” To which Timji replied, “Fat Chance!” I laughed out so loud!! Whether beginner or advanced, Timji had us sweating like there is no tomorrow.

Two Weeks with Timji
Today I am traveling to San Diego to participate in a two week yoga training titled “Third Series Teacher Training” with Tim Miller. I am so stoked beyond belief right now because I have been planning for this trip for quite some time. 
Tamara and I met Tim at his shala back in 2004 when he was located on “E Street” in downtown Encinitas. We had just returned from a trip to Mysore, India in which we met and practiced with Sri K Pattabhi Jois. We were both blown away with Tim’s devotion and dedication to Ashtanga yoga and I can safely say we knew we had found “our teacher.” 
We completed Tim’s First Series Teacher Training in 2005 and that was the catalyst for our return to Florida and the subsequent opening of Native Yoga Center in Juno Beach. With some diligent practice of the First Series and the opportunity to teach it on a daily basis naturally led way to moving into the Second Series. 
In 2009 I had the privilege of attending Tim’s Second Series Teacher Training at his new shala in Carlsbad. I was a fledgling in the full Second Series and I have to admit it was a life changing experience for me to say the least. I learned so much on so many different levels! Prior to that experience I had overworked my desire to improve. I pushed to hard and paid the price physically. One thing that is positive about experiencing pain and suffering is that it can help encourage one to stop and look at the cause of the misery. This can be a challenging task but the growth I experienced from slowing down and really investigating my intentions has helped me to put clear focus ahead of unrestrained ambition. A process in the works I must admit.
Now 10 years from my first training with Tim, here I am, going back for Tim’s first time ever Third Series Teacher Training! For those of you not familiar with Ashtanga yoga or the Third Series I am not sure how exactly to explain this. It needs to be seen to be believed. The first time I saw someone practice Third in person was on my first trip to India. Noah Williams set up in front of me and moved so effortlessly through the most incredible display of strength and control I was left dumbfounded! I was meandering through the quagmire of my early experience with the beginning of First and seeing that display of Third blew the doors off of my narrow perspective of what was humanly possible. I remember feeling so inspired in that moment that I think that spark is part of why I am here now embarking on this journey. In essence, yoga for me, is a quest to expand our horizons. This is a key to what inspires daily practice….the dream to move beyond the ordinary by becoming completely ordinary!
The reality is that the Ashtanga practice requires continuous practice over a long period of time. I feel like the words ‘Teacher Training’ hold various connotations. I think a more apt title in relation to my own experience is “Student Cultivation.” Someone had asked me last week if I really needed more training? My wholehearted answer is Yes! I feel like the more I can cultivate my experience of being a “student,” the better I can serve in the role of “teacher.” The moment we think that we have learned everything and that we are beyond the experience of learning we loose interest in our subject and all meaning is lost. Once our passion losses meaning then we start searching for meaning outside ourselves which typically leads to a dead end path. Moral of the story, a competent teacher is of utmost importance.
I love being a student. There is a sense of surrender that helps me transcend my own limited perspective that comes with taking refuge in the practice. In many respects it is the confluence of like minded individuals into a focused session that leads to discovery. I remember seeing Guruji and Tim together and having a hard time distinguishing who had more respect for each other. Mutual respect for each other, be it for our friends or our family, is the foundation of a sound society and culture. It can all come back to the golden rule, treat others you would like to be treated yourself. It is that simple!
Right now, taking two weeks to be a “student” and to step away is monumental for me. To be away from family for so long is hard. It requires my wife to be ultra on duty and I love being with my children so much I don’t like to be away from them. I am so appreciative of my extended family for helping out to make this possible. My dad and sister are covering my Mysore classes and my mom helping with the kids brings light to the saying ‘it takes a village.’ I appreciate our incredible team of teachers that hold down the fort at Native Yoga and make possible the ability to maintain a busy studio schedule run smoothly. I am extremely thankful for all of the tremendous support! 
I feel as if I am standing atop a precipice. My intention is to learn from my teacher, to be safe and to grow. Two feet on the ground, except when upside down. 🙂