Name that Pose
Posted in ashtanga yoga on 01/21/2008 10:01 am by karenAs we rounded the bend into the seated poses this morning, I thought it might be time to start saying the names of the poses so The Cop can learn them.
“Janusirsasana A. Dakshina. Right side.”
I have my own names,” he said abruptly.
Um, okay. We vinyasana and start on the left side.
“Pre-gooch pose,” he announces. “Second side.”
I laugh.
“Janusirsasana B. Dakshina,” I say as we start the next pose.
“Gooch pose. First side.”
This, of course, is followed by “Gooch pose, second side.”
Then there’s “Broken toe pose, first side,” and “Broken toe pose, side that really hurts because I actually broke that toe a little while ago.”
Next?
“Pre-burp pose.”
I was laughing until I couldn’t breathe. And the next pose?
“Regret my dinner pose.”
And then?
“Two more poses about increasing regret…”
01/21/2008 at 10:06 am
Oh my gosh, that was so funny!! I will be thinking about those names during my next practice!
01/21/2008 at 10:31 am
When The Editor started practicing, he didn’t want to know the names. I said if you don’t have the name, you don’t have the pose. He said, you’re right, I don’t have the pose. Let me make these shapes myself and let them be about my own experience for a while, ok? Don’t give me a bunch of structure up front or it will compete with my internal experience. I’m not interested in what it is supposed to look like now.
Less workable in a group mysore setting, but awesome, I thought.
01/21/2008 at 11:51 am
The Cop will be missed, if you go private.
Think of it this way: in the ashtanga blog world, what niche do you occupy? What do your readers find in your blog that they will not find in other ashtanga blogs?
My answers would be:
- zen meets ashtanga
- an lucid account of mental thoughts during self practice
- a steadfast determination to do things Guruji’s way, even though you practice on your own and attend a liberal shala
- an in depth exploration of the backbend
- entertaining (and often heartwarming) stories about the Cop, the Gift and VBG
- riveting accounts of workshops and other yoga shalas. Your posts on Singapore and Annie Pace were great!
Totally your decision of course, but by going private, you would be depriving many blog lurkers of your unique perspective.
01/21/2008 at 12:49 pm
Forget about your loyal following (myself included) for a second. Is writing the blog beneficial for your practice or has it become an obligation? Are the comments enhancing your experience or adding too much drama to your life? How will having a private readership affect your writing?
Over the years I’ve often though that in addition to being a smart and interesting writer that you provide a calming influence on the e-ashtanga world. There is much to learn from your approach to interacting with people online.
I conclude by saying that, as always, I have no point. Except that I’ll still read you and the Pats are so good that they can still win even if Brady has a terrible game!
01/21/2008 at 1:10 pm
the cop needs to come up with a cheat sheet so the rest of us can learn those names! so funny!
01/21/2008 at 2:16 pm
The Cop merits devotion of more ink. Could be a Cop Fan Club in the works. People in shalas worldwide, wearing “The Cop Rocks” tshirts.
01/21/2008 at 4:00 pm
The Cop rocks (albeit ever so slightly) only because of DZM’s calming and benevolent spirit. Otherwise, he’s bitter and hostile. Oh, and he’s still regretting last night’s guacamole and margaritas …
01/22/2008 at 8:59 am
I would wear a Cop Rocks shirt.
Never, ever regret guacamole and margaritas! Food for the soul! : )