Aotearoa - 2007-06-05 5:25 AM

Hi all

After that amazing experience in John Scott's retreat, I decided to keep up the good work and resume daily practice once I got settled in Christchurch. I rested for a week and then started on the Primary Series last Sunday. At first it was okay-ish but earlier today I had a breakdown. I don't know what came over me but a lot of things must have come together and resulted in my crying like a baby. All of a sudded these bizarre thoughts were in my head and utterly annoyed me, for instance the coldness of the room, the fluffy carpet, the slippery mat, the fact that nothing really worked and I thought I had taken more than one step back and the realisation that there are things I will simply never be able to do physically.

Is that normal to occur at some point? It must sound very silly but I had this outburst of frustration that didn't stop for a while. I did get to finish the Series but it just felt unconnected and not right. Has anyone of you ever had such a fit?



Om Shanti

Aotearoa

kulkarnn - 2007-06-05 6:19 AMBeing non emotional should be part of your Yoga Practice.

Hehet - 2007-06-05 3:29 PM

Neel, remember when you were looking for instances with how you answer students asking questions?  Remember what slowpie advised about the succinctness of your answers sometimes?
===> Agreed. As for the points made, they are great. As for succintness, I am helpless. I thought about it and wish to continue succint response. I am open to further questions or discussion, though.

 

this post is such an example.

I agree with you that one should strive to be non-emotional in one's practice (to push away both good and bad feelings and guide oneself in asana through the breath),
===> No, that is not what I meant. What I meant is: Yoga Practice = Doing Staning Poses + Doing Inversions + Doing Ashtanga style flow exercise + Shavasana +++++ Control of Emotions. What I am saying is Control of Emotions is one practice he has to do, may be even he starts the Standing Poses!!! ( For more explanation, Refer to Preparation For Meditation Audio from Neel Kulkarni).

but what i think Jess is reaching for is a way to understand why her feelings would come out in such a way and what to do when that happens.
===> Agreed, thank You.



I understand where you're coming from, but in this post it seems as if from on high.  You have such deep study and understanding of the fundamentals, maybe here it would be nice to include an excerpt from a book or through some experience you personlly have had.  I have yet to start extensive reading (all my time is taking up with finishing school), so i try not to advise too much unless i've personally experienced something and look instead to posters like you.
===> No comments.




I love how you want to share your knowledge and that's why i'm speaking up, in the hope we can all share and learn from one another.
===> Agreed.


===> overall: Agreed + Thanks + Peace + Love



@Jess, this happened to me a long time ago and felt like i wanted to cry through the practice.  Since a part of yoga suggests to me the idea of 'detachment', it's a good idea to try to understand, if you can, why you felt the way you did.  it may have nothing whatsoever to do with your practice, asana was but the vehicle. 

i don't know that helped any, but i want you to know you're not alone

@ Jess,

jonnie - 2007-06-06 2:46 PMIt's an example of the mind/body connection.The human body stores emotions in muscles and organs and they may stay repressed there for years.Anyone who has experienced deep tissue body work like Thai massage or Rolfing may have experienced a similar emotional release. Yoga asanas have a similar effect on the body as the muscles are massaged and stretched...Jonathon

tourist - 2007-06-08 6:11 PM

jonnie - yes, I have indeed had emotional release during practice, though very rarely. The most dramatic was after I came back from a very busy one week trip to England during which I got very little practice in and had a migraine that required a trip to the emergency room.