On Brachmacharya - and Split Pants...

So, in my first blog I promised to convey what I talked about in my yoga classes....

Earlier today I was teaching a class where I was really focused on the deep front line of the body - where the neurotransmitter chassis meets the internal organs - as Rolf Gates says. When you open the deep front line, it leads to better digestion and elimination... as well as helps you to develop your communication skills and your sexuality. We were doing plenty of back-bends... and I helped each student, individually, with full bow. Several had never even attempted full bow before, and so they were grabbing my ankles and I was lifting them up...

A few hours later I was taking a break, getting reading for an Ashtanga yoga class with my favorite teacher and good friend, when I noticed.... there was a split in my pants. Specifically, a split in my crotch. Evidently Virgil, my wonderful Pit/Lab mix, had gotten to my pants at some point and chewed out a seam. So, you know, that bit of lint that I thought was on my pants during boat pose facing the mirror wasn't exactly lint....

This is not, exactly, how I want to build up a following of students.

Needless to say, I bailed on the Ashtanga class and ran home to rip off and throw out the pants, yelling at Virgil in the process.

Afterwards I went out to a restaurant to meet a girlfriend. While I was waiting I read about Brachmacharya - and thought what irony! On a night when I am emphasizing healing the front of the body and opening yourself I wear pants that are literally ripped open - surely God does have a sense of humor! :)

I know some yogis who are striving for actually becoming on all levels a TRUE yogi - including the full adherence of Brachmacharya. After my last post, and some people who I admire who have told me how heavy it was, I admit that I'm not there yet, and don't know if I will ever be there in this lifetime.

I enjoy good food, good sex, good wine, and good fun.

At the same time, I've found that I had to give up drinking before the nights before Mysore in order to really feel OK doing dwi pada sirsana. In fact, the first day I was able to do the pose was also after the first night after having no alcohol...

Yah, I know a lot of you have thought I've drunk the yoga cool-aid. Maybe I have.... but all I can share with you is my experience. And the fact that when I stopped indulging, I started opening. And, at the same time, there are wonderful and hysterical things happening... can you imagine doing your first full bow pose and wondering why there is so much lint on your teacher's pants???? :)

Wishing you all blessings during the full moon tomorrow.

Peace out.