One day Krishanamacharya was conducting a "rare" demonstration-class where he mentioned that there are thirty-two variations of headstands. The class was silent. A.G.Mohan doubted him but did not say anything, however, the muscles in his face betrayed him and showed his feelings. Krishnamacharya looks at him and says:
"What? It looks like you don't believe me. Fold that mat and place it here". He then demonstrated the 32 variations of headstand. He was 85 years-old.
----
Note: All these stories come from the book -left- Krishnamacharya His Life and Teachings
, which is highly recommended. A.G. Mohan studied with Krishnamacharya one-on-one for 20 years and up until the Master's death.
---
On one accassion a student comes to him for healing and poses this question to TK: "What fees do I need to pay?"- "How long have you had this desease" asks T.K. - "more than 20 years" comes the reply - "Then it will cost you one hundred rupees, bring them next class" (that was the equivalent of about US$ 5000 of today).
When the student returns the next week with the money, T.K. says: "I don't want a hudnred rupees from you. You can take it back. I only wanted to know if you had enough committment to follow the disciplines and restrictions I am going to suggest to you"
---
Another day practicing asana, in the warrior pose, Krishamacharya says to A.G. Mohan:
"Keep in mind that you are in the service of the Divine. As you extend your arms and look down, bring the feeling that you are above the world and its various concerns but close to the Divine. As you bring your arms by your side with the palms facing upward, feel that the feet of the Divine are resting on your hands"
Mohan inquiries further: "This is relevant to me but what if a practitioner has no religious beliefs?
"Still the imagery is valuable. Instead of thinking of the Divine the practitioner can bring the feeling that "I am without fear or burden. I am not troubled by the future or the past, flying above wordly pressures"
----
On an interview in 1970 -age almost 90- the question is posed: Who taught you to stop your pulse and heart beat?
"All happened automatically. What is amazing in that? I did it by practicing pranayama, vishama vrtti and nadishodhana pranayama. And meditation as well"
---
One time Mohan asks T.K. about a very advanced sequence he had had his youngest daughter, Shubha demonstrate... "How could a yoga teacher teach these asanas to an ordinary person who comes with health issues? He replied:
"It ws a demonstration for propaganda!. You should not take it literally. Shubha can do it, but for others you must suggest appropiate asanas. Only the principle is important"
On another ocassion A.G. Mohan was to give a talk on pranayama in Switzerland, in 1979. Krishnamacharya advised: "Propagate yoga wisely"
----
One day Krishnamacharya got curious about A.G. Mohan teaching a group of students, upon inquiring "how is it going" he proceeded to give "brief but invaluable advise":
"There is a saying that poets and women should never be coerced. It will only result in suffering, and the desired result will not materialize. Similarly, never use force in teaching or practicing asnanas"
----
After many years of studying and surrendering to Krishnamacharya, being in awe at the master, A.G. Mohan finally gets the guts to ask the guru to be initiated in a mantra. To his surprise T.K. agrees, then A.G. asks how many times should he repeat the mantra, Krishnamacharya replies:
"Traditionally one round of meditation is considered complete when you have repeated the mantra one hundred thousand times for each syllable, your mantra is twelve syllables, so that is twelve hundred times".
Mohan was speechless, Krishnamacharya went on to say:
"But in these days few people can do it. At the very least, ensure that for the rest of your life, every day, you repeat the mantra 108 times, slowly, with complete concentration."
---
A few days before he died A.G. Mohan asks: what is most important in life?:
"Money is not important. Health, Longevity. A tranquil mind."
---
A.G. Mohan studied with Krishnamacharya for almost 20 years, one on one. He has authored two books on yoga and conducts workshops. I hear that I just missed him when I went to Mysore earlier this year as he gave a talk at the shala. Was anyone there? please tell me if you were. He is also planning on conducting online workshops. You can visit his website.
What do you think of Krishnamacharya saying: "you can't coerce a poet"?
What do you think he meant?
"What? It looks like you don't believe me. Fold that mat and place it here". He then demonstrated the 32 variations of headstand. He was 85 years-old.
----
Note: All these stories come from the book -left- Krishnamacharya His Life and Teachings
, which is highly recommended. A.G. Mohan studied with Krishnamacharya one-on-one for 20 years and up until the Master's death.---
On one accassion a student comes to him for healing and poses this question to TK: "What fees do I need to pay?"- "How long have you had this desease" asks T.K. - "more than 20 years" comes the reply - "Then it will cost you one hundred rupees, bring them next class" (that was the equivalent of about US$ 5000 of today).
When the student returns the next week with the money, T.K. says: "I don't want a hudnred rupees from you. You can take it back. I only wanted to know if you had enough committment to follow the disciplines and restrictions I am going to suggest to you"
---
Another day practicing asana, in the warrior pose, Krishamacharya says to A.G. Mohan:
"Keep in mind that you are in the service of the Divine. As you extend your arms and look down, bring the feeling that you are above the world and its various concerns but close to the Divine. As you bring your arms by your side with the palms facing upward, feel that the feet of the Divine are resting on your hands"
Mohan inquiries further: "This is relevant to me but what if a practitioner has no religious beliefs?
"Still the imagery is valuable. Instead of thinking of the Divine the practitioner can bring the feeling that "I am without fear or burden. I am not troubled by the future or the past, flying above wordly pressures"
----
On an interview in 1970 -age almost 90- the question is posed: Who taught you to stop your pulse and heart beat?
"All happened automatically. What is amazing in that? I did it by practicing pranayama, vishama vrtti and nadishodhana pranayama. And meditation as well"
---
One time Mohan asks T.K. about a very advanced sequence he had had his youngest daughter, Shubha demonstrate... "How could a yoga teacher teach these asanas to an ordinary person who comes with health issues? He replied:
On another ocassion A.G. Mohan was to give a talk on pranayama in Switzerland, in 1979. Krishnamacharya advised: "Propagate yoga wisely"
----
One day Krishnamacharya got curious about A.G. Mohan teaching a group of students, upon inquiring "how is it going" he proceeded to give "brief but invaluable advise":
"There is a saying that poets and women should never be coerced. It will only result in suffering, and the desired result will not materialize. Similarly, never use force in teaching or practicing asnanas"
----
After many years of studying and surrendering to Krishnamacharya, being in awe at the master, A.G. Mohan finally gets the guts to ask the guru to be initiated in a mantra. To his surprise T.K. agrees, then A.G. asks how many times should he repeat the mantra, Krishnamacharya replies:
"Traditionally one round of meditation is considered complete when you have repeated the mantra one hundred thousand times for each syllable, your mantra is twelve syllables, so that is twelve hundred times".
Mohan was speechless, Krishnamacharya went on to say:
"But in these days few people can do it. At the very least, ensure that for the rest of your life, every day, you repeat the mantra 108 times, slowly, with complete concentration."
---
A few days before he died A.G. Mohan asks: what is most important in life?:
"Money is not important. Health, Longevity. A tranquil mind."
---
A.G. Mohan studied with Krishnamacharya for almost 20 years, one on one. He has authored two books on yoga and conducts workshops. I hear that I just missed him when I went to Mysore earlier this year as he gave a talk at the shala. Was anyone there? please tell me if you were. He is also planning on conducting online workshops. You can visit his website.
What do you think of Krishnamacharya saying: "you can't coerce a poet"?
What do you think he meant?
Like I need another book on my TO READ list! ;) But this one is going toward the top. Excellent. I love Krishnamacharya teachings and his son's continuing teachigns as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this.
Yogiclearbear, I hear you, my list is pretty big too, there is a lot of interesting literature out there these days, we are lucky! :-) enjoy
ReplyDeleteYes what did he mean, will be mulling this over all day tomorrow. Wonderful post, I have the book, but so good to read the stories again, thank you for spending the time on this to share them.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Grimmly, it was a pleasure. on the "poet" thing, I can't get it out of my head, this is a master speaking, he would not chose his words at random, why poet? why indeed....
ReplyDeleteby the way, just got the printed copy of the Makaranda, which today found out means "honey", on a project now but will be looking at it before bed...
Perhaps he meant that you can't force someone to be creative, you can't force a poet to write. And in a more amusing way you can't force a woman to do something- she will either do what she wants and or she will do what you force her to do but you will pay coz she will never forget that you forced her.
ReplyDeleteIn the same way you can't force an asana - by adjusting too hard you can injure yourself or your student. By focusing on asanas that we want to achieve we create desire in our minds...the desire to get this asana because the person infront of you can do it so well, the desire to move forward. What yoga teaches you on the mat is a reflection of your life off the mat. We can push and fight and still not achieve things, whilst at other times things happen effortlessly. Our duty is to watch this ebb and flow without attachement. In the same way our duty on the mat is to focus and achieve what we can on the mat with ahimsa (no violence to our bodies) and aparigraha (no greed, or desire for more)
I think that's what he meant....
yes good points Rani. You cannot force an artist.. I wonder why not say "men" as well... fascinating stuff ha? and I agree wholeheartedly on achieving what we can with ahimsa, oh yes! :-)
ReplyDelete