Le Yoga Journal Paris S/S 2014

Journal I N S P I R AT I O N , C O N V E R SAT I O N S , E X P LO R AT I O N & YO GA

Closing the Circle – A Conversation with John Scott

NOW:

The In-Between

O P E R AT I O N S H A N T I , M YS O R E , I N D I A

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The Supershow of the NOW – An Essay on Presence, the Now and Atha

Joseph Beuys – The Modern-Day Shaman

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HOW SOON IS NOW A very wise man, BKS Iyengar, says that the present moment is timeless and still. It is when the moment slips from our attention, that movement arises and the moment disappears.

And Movement is time.

Stillness, the lack of movement, allows us a direct experience of NOW – and this is the theme for this issue of Le Yoga Shop Journal.

We have asked some of our favourite photographers, curators and writers to share their experiences and discussions on the present moment, the stillness of the in-betweens and the transition of time.

Chris Patmore investigates the evolution of a tradition in Mysore – Ashtanga Yoga (p. 42) while Kia Naddermier and John Scott discuss the precious and precarious relationship

between student and teacher and the transition from dependence to independence and finally to dependability (p. 12).

Tina Magnegård-Bjers explores the complex universe of Joseph Beuys, the German artist who belived that a broken society could be healed through rituals/performances (p. 36).

We invite you to stop for a moment and join the discussion.

Kia & Magnus Naddermier Paris, spring 2014

Kia & Magnus photographed

by Agathe Philbé.

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CONTENT S/S 2014

CONTRIBUTORS We are proud to introduce some of our contribuors in this issue of Le Yoga Shop Journal.

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36

THE SUPERSHOW OF THE NOW – An Essay on Presence, the Now and Atha.

Words by Perrine du Chaffaut. Photography

by Ola Rindal.

JOSEPH BEUYS THE MODERN-DAY SHAMAN Tina Magnergård-Bjers about an artist who belived that rituals and performances was the bridge between the spiritual world and the present.

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THE SOUND OF NOW – A 12-Song Soundtrack

by Thomas Erber. Photography by Jan Welters.

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AN INSIDERS GUIDE TO SAN FRANCISCO Green beauty activist Caroline Wachsmuth reveals some of her favorite spots in the city of love.

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CLOSING THE CIRCLE – A conversation with John Scott in words and images

by Kia Naddermier.

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THE EVOLUTION OF A TRADITION What does it mean to stay true to tradition?

Chris Patmore speaks to dedicated teachers and students Jeff and Harmony Lichty, Kia Naddermier and Mark Robberds.

IN-BETWEEN DAYS A presentation of Le Yoga Shop Paris’ springsummer 2014 collection.

Photography by Kia Naddermier. Styling by Annemarie Sheridan.

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CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS A presentation of the designers and the creatives behind the collections in Le Yoga Shop Paris.

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF & CREATIVE DIRECTORS Kia & Magnus Naddermier ART DIRECTION & DESIGN Studio Naddermier

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FRIENDS OF LE YOGA SHOP Talented friends and collaborators who help spreading the message.

A LETTER FROM MYSORE We are grateful to share a letter from from our friends at Operation Shanti in Mysore, India

PHOTOGRAPHY Kia Naddermier, Agathe Philbé, Ola Rindal, Jan Welters, Caroline Wachsmuth

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Anne Palmer

WORDS Perinne du Chaffaut, Thomas Erber, Tina Magnegård-Bjers, Kia Naddermier, Chris Patmore, Caroline Wachsmuth

FASHION EDITOR Annemarie Sheridan

CASTING Lise de la Brosse

HAIR & MAKE UP ARTISTS Laure Dansou, Tanya Koch SPECIAL THANKS Lovisa Burfitt Anne Palmer – Olivia Varasso Alex Kummerman, Cristina Fojo and Olivier Saier at Clicmobile Kajsa Leandersson at Agent & Artist Alexandre and Marie Thumerelle at OFR Jessica Bradbury at Shoot Europe

Ann Ringstrand at Hope The Welters-Pinter family – Chris Ebbe Laure Gaston-Guillot at Walter Schupfer Agathe, Helene, Jerome, Lise, Sandra and all the students at Mysore Yoga Paris The Operation Shanti Team Uma & Devi Naddermier – our biggest inspiration!

Please follow Le Yoga Shop Paris on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without permission from the publishers.

Published and produced by Studio Naddermier for Le Yoga Shop Paris © Le Yoga Shop Paris, 2014 www.leyogashop.com Printed by Newspaper Club, Glasgow, 2014

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CONTRIBUTORS 1.

1.

Perrine du Chaffaut Translator, yoga teacher, writer. London.

Other projects/collaborations you are proud of: I would prefer to mention the people or readings that triggered a transformation in my life, such as Richard Freeman, Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda and the writings of Khrishnamurti.

About your contribution to Le Yoga Shop Journal: Around the time that Le Yoga Shop launched their theme ’How Soon Is Now’, I observed that the Now became a leading theme in other art forms. Le Journal, – avant-gardiste for sure!

When do you find yourself most present in the NOW? When I concentrate or meditate, for example during my yoga practice.

2.

3.

4.

5.

2.

Caroline Wachsmuth Skin/Spa Designer and devoted Ashtangi! San Francsisco Other projects/collaborations you are proud of: Among my dearest ones is the website Smile and Save the Planet and Seasons, a book on how to take care of ourselves in each season, using natural beauty recipes.

At the moment, I am creating a new beauty brand.

Taking all the time needed to make something beautiful and meaningful.

About your contribution to Le Yoga Shop Journal: With Le Journal, it is only

6.

about Love. Meeting Kia a few years ago, having a heart connection and mutual passion for Ashtanga Yoga.

When I moved to San Francisco, it came naturallyseemed completely natural to createmake a personal guide toon the city for the journal.

When do you find yourself most present in the NOW? It is the hardest thing...

This is what I use my daily yoga practice to train for.

Every-single-day. After all these years, I am starting to have blissful moments of presence. But it never lasts, the mind needs constant training. It is very powerful!

5.

3.

Ola Rindal Photographer. Paris.

Other projects/collaborations you are proud of: To collaborate with Magnus and Kia. About your contribution to Le Yoga Shop Journal: What are you really missing now? Said the master to his pupil…

When do you find yourself most present in the NOW? Now.

Other projects/collaborations you are proud of: Some of my early work for Purple magazine comes to mind...

About your contribution to Le Yoga Shop Journal: This work is all about the every day. Pictures which comes to me, not pictures that I have been chasing.

It is about observations and experiences. It is about time... split seconds from a life.

When do you find yourself most present in the NOW? When I take pictures.

Thomas Erber Writer, Curator and Creative Consultant. Paris

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7.

vations and open-minded people. Have also written for Swedish magazine Icon, among others.

About your contribution to Le Yoga Shop Journal: In constant love with the Le Journal-family. Have known Kia since we took a dance class in Stockholm 1986.

Proud to be contributing to a project that is imbued with creativity and goodness.

When do you find yourself most present in the NOW: When focusing on the breath – and hugging my kids.

Tina Magnergård Bjers Editor at the Foreign desk at The Swedish News Agency TT. Stockholm.

Other projects/collaborations you are proud of: Happy to be following US politics at work – and happy when I write about art, inno-

6.

Chris Patmore PR consultant and writer.

London.

Other projects/collaborations you are proud of: I’ve had a long and varied

career in PR. Whether it’s championing health promotion campaigns or representing clients as a financial technology specialist, it’s an industry that continues to fascinate me.

About your contribution to Le Yoga Shop Journal: It’s a joy to write for Le Journal and share discussions and experiences from my annual trips to Mysore in India. I’m fortunate to have met many interesting and inspiring people in the Ashtanga community and I hope my writings are a helpful and informative source for debate.

When do you find yourself most present in the NOW? In the fast-paced London PR world, perhaps the only true moment of presence I have each day is in my yoga practice. And I cherish it for that all the more.

7.

Tanya Koch Hairstylist, hair lover. Paris.

Other projects/collaborations you are proud of: Hair for Emmanuelle Seigner, Wunderkind, The Kooples...

About your contribution to Le Yoga Shop Journal: We had two wonderful days of shooting with an amazing team, lots of fun! All about the 80’s, Buffalo Stance, Neneh... yeah! And of course when Jan Welters shot Kia in her yoga postures for the last issue – that was absolutely amazing for me...

When do you find yourself most present in the NOW? Last week when Kia invited me to a yoga class in her shala...

W W W. S U P E R F I N E L O N D O N . C O M

Words by Perrine du Chaffaut

Photography Ola Rindal

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The Super Show of

the NOW – An Essay on Presence, the Now and Atha

of duration. However, even if time is INTRODUCTION 1. a human concept, it is undeniable that Some time ago, in Mysore FROM TIME… (1) time has effects on phenomena that are Lying on my bed, I look at the Mysore The concept of Time is often linked external to us, regardless of our Mind. sky. It is raining that hot and waxy rain or even amalgamated with Presence.

Thus the world is subjugated to a in which my soul finds such sweetness. For all that, the former is a concept, progressively unfolding order, forward I close my eyes and reflect on this curwhilst the latter is a state. movement, cycles (such as the cycle of rent obsession spoken of by both real

What is Time? day and night, the passing of the seand virtual tongues: ’be in the Now’,

The Italian journalist, Doasons, the stars). Indeed, time is a way ’Live the present’, ’There is only one menico Quirico, a former hostage in of measuring physical phenomena (for time, the present time.’

Syria, said after his release from capexample the time required by the Earth Why is this subject such a topical one? tivity last September: ’I also had my to turn on its axis). We cannot see time; What does it conceal? Does it actually notebook and each day I wrote down mean anything to still be thinking about such a tired theme? ”The concept of Time is purely a product of the Mind, as time is what can be numbered and There is no doubt therefore engages an organisational abillity and an awareness of duration.” that humankind is currently living through one of its we are able to see physical phenomena. most profound changes as a result of what happened. I had almost finished the technological revolution caused it. I had two pages left. On the last day It is movement that, by modifying the appearances and positions of things, by the internet, social networks and they [the kidnappers] took it off me. It so demonstrates the action of time: access to online information sources, helped me, above all, to keep track of the bud that becomes a flower, the all of which is occurring at a speed that the days and months. Losing sense of snake that leaves its tracks in the sand. can leave homo sapiens astounded, time would have pushed me down a curious, hesitant, discouraged, isoladeep well from which I might not have Aristotle defined time as ’a number of change in respect of the before and ted, enflamed or inspired to activism. ever escaped.’ after.’ Einstein, in his theory of relatiThis revolution in the fields of tech Human beings define themselnology and information is having a ves by their relationship to Time, a con- vity, concurred with Aristotle insofar as he stated that we perceive time as direct impact on human relationships cept constructed around three pillars: a function of movement and further in all their forms, and human beings the past (which is remembered), the feel a natural and intuitive resistance present (which is happening to us now) that each movement has its own temporality. There are three inter-related (1) We are speaking here of a concept, to this all-encompassing whirlwind, and the future (which is projected). even if Kant preferred to speak of the ’times’: ’the present related to the past’ which resistance takes the shape of the The concept of Time is purely a provery form of all of our intuitions, that is (memory), ’the present related to the cry’Let us live in the present!’, as if in duct of the Mind, as time is what can to say the form in which our minds necessarily perceive things. In any case, an attempt to slow down the passage be numbered and therefore engages an present’(perception) and ’the present Time, just like Space, pre-supposes the and intoxication of time. organisational ability and an awareness related to the future’ (anticipation). involvement of our Mind.

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’By witnessing the Now, there no longer exists any conceptual limitation of Time. It becomes possible to embrace all of Creation, to become one with the Universe, and our inner journeys and personal transformations can unfold.’

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10 2. …TO PRECENCE AND THE NOW 2.1 Description: a Mala of present instants constituting one continuous and global movement Let’s forget about this concept of Time, the creation of the Mind. What remains? There remains what IS, the state of each present instant framing each breath, each pulse, one after the other, one present instant after the other, and so on, creating a limitless and continuous succession of present instants. Each one of us exists wholly and specifically in each one of our breaths; with the next breath, there will be a different being who will never be able to return to the state in which he or she existed with the preceding breath. What has gone before is irreversible. Only our perceptions of Time can change. A comparison with the ocean is apposite: each wave has its own uniqueness, whilst contributing to the creation of a continuous and

We have seen that witnessing the Now pre-supposes a detachment from any concept of Time (which is itself the result of our organisational ability, as explained above) and that in order to detach oneself from any concept of Time, one cannot remain within the context of a vertical or horizontal approach. Therefore the only approach that would appear to make it possible to witness the Now is a transcendental approach.

Transcending should be understood as transcending temporal concepts (the same applies for any spatial concept: there is also no more Space) and more generally as dissolving all that the 2.3 The Dance of the Mind has constructed. Such transcenTranscendental Now to the Self dental movement is uncoupled from – From Emotions-Awareness to the structures of Time and Space: it is Self-Awareness neither vertical nor horizontal, neither Even if Presence is the path to personal backward-looking nor forward-lootransformation, it should be acknowking, neither above nor below, and has ledged that human beings generally neither content nor structures capable define themselves as temporal beings of containing. All subjective concepts disappear; the experience of each moment, and the voyage ”You cannot go back, nor be in the future, only in the here and now. The present is the only time you have. through each Such a meaningful word, because it is all your life. Your are in the now, continuously, forever.” Osho layer of Consciousness occurs in a transcendental manner. and reflect by referring to the past and permanent progression, infinite and There is no other way to experience the future. So let us try nonetheless to universal, with the waves preceding the Self that is per se pure and incapasee if we cannot draw a useful concluand following it. ble of change and therefore may not be sion from this. experienced within the restrictive and 2.2 The ultimate spiritual sense: paradoxical context of each subjective Atha, the channel for a fully respon- In the context of a linear approach spatiotemporal concept, be it vertical to anything, be it horizontal (walking sible life and for transformation or horizontal. along a tightrope)or vertical (climbing The first Sutra of Pattanjali states: up a knotted rope), there is always a Atha-yoga-anusasanam. The words CONCLUSION straight line, defined, delineated and ’Now’ or ’Presence’ are attached to the Whether one speaks of Emotional spiritual idea born by the Sanskrit term correlated on the basis of the concepts (subjective) awareness or Self-awareof Time. There is also a moment before ness, what is ultimately important is to Atha. By being fully present and by concentrating on and devoting oneself and after. This still implies an ability to grow. This process of reflection is only organise Time on the part of Mind. to – that is to say by putting all of our enriching if we all ask ourselves how

This horizontal or vertical apabilities and capacities (our body, enwe can transform ourselves, without proach is however of real interest at ergy, breath, mind, etc.) at the service any value judgements. Each experience of – each breath, each instant, each one numerous levels, such as at the emotio- can contribute to this process. Each of us takes his or her life into his or her nal level and in terms of awareness of one of our subjective movements can own hands, assumes full responsibility life and community. open a wider window into ourselves.

The past, memory, experience and can achieve a heightened level of Self-restriction can led to self-liberaand emotions, even if they are suprepresence and can live his or her life tion; ’becoming’ can result in ’being’; mely subjective, represent an incredibly ’conceptualising’ may conceal the more consciously and with greater rich source of imagination, knowledge, purity of ’witnessing a state’. awareness. sensations, energy, stories, perceptions

With each breath, each one of It is like being a Yogini Yeti. and intelligence. The future is a clean us creates the possibility of dissolving With full presence in each breath, the all of our subjective layers (Ego, mind, page to be covered with our writing, practice of yoga is a fascinating journey the bearer of hopes and dreams into experience) that cover and conceal the for the Yogini, the ride of experiencing and in which the mind may project Self, and of experiencing and witnesthe whole of Creation, with all its itself, wander and confront, imagine sing the Self. imperfections, dysfunction, ugliness, and lose itself.

With each breath, each one as well its beauty and grace. The

of us breathes all the breaths of the Universe, of all living beings, whatever their form, morality or actions, who have existed up until the precise moment of such breath.

With each breath, each mother becomes the mother of all the world’s children, regardless of ties of blood or soil; all suffering becomes universal suffering.

By witnessing the Now, there no longer exists any conceptual limitation of Time. It becomes possible now to embrace all of Creation, to become one with the Universe, and our inner journeys and personal transformations can unfold.

11 roller-coaster of the practice of Yoga merges with the roller-coaster of life and ultimately the whole of Creation, to be a celebration of light and grace on occasion and a journey of suffering at other times, when embracing the darkness and violence of Humanity.

This is the brightness and painful dance of spiritual growth and personal transformation.

Therefore although the word Presence is tired these days, it should not be forgotten how full of meaning this word can be, as summarised so well by Osho: ’You cannot go back, nor be in the future, only in the here and now. The present is the only time you have. Such a meaningful word, because it is all your life. Your are in the now, continuously, forever.’

Today, lying on my bed, I look at the London sky. It is raining that fine and bone-soaking rain that gives birth to introspection. Maybe one day, human beings will come to life with the unaffected and continuous ability to witness and experience the Self. What would the humanity be like in a realm free from subjectiveness, I-ness, Ego, the past, the future and Space? I close my eyes and think of that dream of a resplendent and pure world where harmony and divine gentleness enfold the Earth in their protective embrace.

It all started with the Super Show of the Now. Words by Perrine du Chaffaut, Ashtanga Yoga practitoner, teacher, writer and translator based in London.

In the last issue of Le Yoga Shop Journal Perinne wrote an essay on Freedom.

Read it here: www.leyogashop.com/ blogs/lejournal Photography by Ola Rindal, photographer and motorcyclist based in Paris.

Journalist Frédéric Bonnet wrote the following about Ola’s work: ’...The scenes captured by the photographer instill an ominous feeling that something has just happened, or is about to happen. Some sort of restrained violence endows the picture with efficient energy, even more so since the possibility – or probability – of a continuation we won’t ever know anything about instantaneously occurs. In Ola Rindal’s work the image, far from revealing its secrets, expresses itself with an uncertainty that eventually makes intensely present what is never represented.’

The SOUND of NOW

A 12-song soundtrack by Thomas Erber Photography Jan Welters When Magnus and Kia asked me to create a playlist and to write a short text around the theme of ”now”, I had to give it some serious thought... It felt like I was playing with fire.

I’m just realizing that no words can ever express the astonishing power of NOW better than a song can.

A whole universe in 3 little letters… An

1 – Willis Earl Beal (featuring Cat Power) ’Comin Through’ Nobody Knows (XL Recordings 2013) 2 – Johnny Cash ’One’ American III: Solitary Man (American Recordings 2000) 3 – Leonard Cohen ’Story Of Isaac’ Songs From A Room (Columbia 1969) 4 – Wim Mertens ’Houfnice’ Music and Film (EMI 2009)

apparently simple word or idea, but so hard to experience in reality. NOW – perfectly poised between nowhere and everywhere – the only place on earth where we can really live – all else is illusion.

So, let’s not move any further away from NOW, and instead just listen to these 12 tracks which allow me to completely drown in the essence of NOW…

5 – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ’And No More Shall We Part’ No More Shall We Part (Mute Records 2001) 6 – Nina Simone ’Baltimore’ Baltimore (CTI 1976) 7 – Damien Jurado ’Everyone A Star’ Maraqopa (Secretly Canadian 2012) 8 – Phosphorescent ’Wolves’ Pride (Dead Oceans 2007)

9 – Sophie Hunger ’Ne me quitte pas’ The Danger of Light (Two Gentlemen Records 2012) 10 – Townes Van Zandt ’To Live Is To Fly’ High, Low and in Between (Rhino/WEA 1972) 11 – Peter Sarstedt ’Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)’ Peter Sarstedt (World Pacific 1969) 12 – Cat Power ’Free’ You Are Free (Matador Records 2003)

Thomas Erber, journalist and curator. Among many things Thomas is running the innovative Cabinet de Curiosites de Thomas Erber. Photographer Jan Welters recently moved to Topanga, LA. His work include fashion, beauty and portraits. Read a conversation between Thomas and Jan and listen to Thomas’ Spotify playlist in Le Yoga Shop Journal on-line: www.leyogashop.com/blogs/lejournal

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Closing the Circle – A conversation with John Scott in words and images by Kia Naddermier

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14 – A conversation with John Scott in words and images by Kia Naddermier London in the mid-nineties. I’m in my early twenties, fresh out of photography school and have been sent off to the big city to report on the budding ‘alternative scene’ there – all vegetarian restaurants, eco-fashion and of course yoga. My then boyfriend has just returned from an extensive trip to Mysore to study with Pattabhi Jois. Said boyfriend directs me and Lisa Strömberg, my journalist colleague and friend, towards the Ashtanga teacher John Scott, who was teaching at City Yoga, a small yoga studio in east London.

Neither of us has any idea what is Ashtanga Yoga or who is the teacher we are going to meet for that matter.

But something magical happens during that shoot. Through the lens of my camera, I have my very first introduction to the practice of Ash-

Directly after that first class, I took up a daily yoga practice.

pendence out of which, we hope, the child will develop dependability. You can look at it as a child growing up or The photos from this first encounas a student´s development towards Twenty years after ter became significant for both me becoming a teacher. The teacher too their first encounter, and John. They also turned out to be was once a student, totally dependent John Scott sits down with the beginning of a book, ’Om Yoga’, on their teacher. I can acknowledge Kia Naddermier for a published in 2000.

It was the first yoga that I was totally dependent on my discussion on being book of its kind and in many ways teacher, but my teacher encouraged me a student, a teacher contributed to a new way of discusto become independent. If you don’t and all that happens sing and visualizing yoga in books and achieve that independence you cannot in between... media. In ’Om Yoga’, which contains become dependable, someone that can interviews and photos of many of the be counted upon.” most influential yoga teachers in the

He continues: ”So in that west, John and his partner Lucy talk middle category the teacher needs about how parenting small children to give you the resources to become while maintaining a yoga practice independent. In this system of yoga should be considered the 7th series! it is so simple: learn the count! Learn the count and the names of the postuParis, September 2013. Life has res. Learn the mala of the postures, as taken many turns since that evening at Guruji called it. You become independent of the teacher, and are then on your own journey ”The teacher or Guru should be a signpost pointing in a direction beyond themselves. A Guru who tells you through which you ‘It´s here, this is it, I´ve got all the answers’ may attract many devotees – but can end up getting smothered by them. gain the experience The fat man is sitting on top, the sign is gone and the direction lost!” to become dependable.

When you look at City Yoga. John is in Paris for the first society there are still so many people tanga Yoga. I witness something that time to give a workshop at my yoga who haven´t managed to become indeis beyond words and perhaps even pendent. People are consumed by the beyond what my camera is able to cap- shala, and we decide it is the right moment to close the circle by doing conditioned existence of society and ture. What I see through my lens is not another shoot, some twenty years after end up being held there by the system.

John performing postures, but pure The system wants to be dysfunctioenergy and breath manifesting as form our first session.

And the same magic happens nal. That is how we keep the division through the instrument of his body. again, between John, me and my between the haves and the have-nots, The steadiness and grace, the energy camera.

Eyes and object have matured; and how we keep people in the place and yet complete stillness of the practice moves me deeply. When the shoot things are softer, gentler and perhaps a of dependency. Yoga is meant to bring little less idealistic... As I crawl around balance between the haves and the is over and I reluctantly put my Pentax John, taking photographs, I hope that have-nots because in the end, the haves down, John invites me to join his class the passage of time will manifest as are still suffering.” that same evening. gracefully in the photos as it has in his

The rest of the day is busy with Kia My friend Danny (Paradise) said shoots and interviews all over London practice. to me once that a good teacher does so when Lisa and I finally make our not seek to create as many students as way back to the yoga studio both of us After the four-day workshop ends, John and I finally sit down to talk possible but as many masters as posare stressed, tired and late. Embarrasabout the relationship between teacher sible. What do you consider is the role sed over our late arrival, we sneak in and student, about the development of the Guru or Teacher? but find ourselves warmly welcomed. that takes place and how it reflects in a As I take my first fumbling baby-steps person as well as in society.

John ”For me the Guru thing is crazy. on my mat, I experience my body imThe teacher or Guru should be a signmediately energized and mind stilled John ”From where I am right now as post pointing in a direction beyond by the the Ujjai breath filling my body themselves. A Guru who tells you ’It´s and the whole room. My very first Ash- a teacher, what I have discovered is that we evolve within our societies. here, this is it, I´ve got all the answers’ tanga Yoga class – it changed me and Newborn babies arrive totally depenmay attract many devotees – but can my whole life. For me Ashtanga Yoga dent on their parents. Good parenting end up getting smothered by them. was a direct experience, awakening guides our children towards indeThe fat man is sitting on top, the sign in me some kind of deep recognition.

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16 is gone and the direction lost! My job as a teacher is pointing.

He continues: ”Evolution continues beyond an individual teacher – it doesn’t stop with you, you really want your students to surpass you.

Innovation is what feeds the tradition, allowing it to grow. You can´t replace Krishnamacharya but his work was extended and improved by the innovations of Iyengar, Deshikachar and Pattabhi Jois. They respected and maintained the traditions but at the same time developed them through their own insights and experience.

I felt Guruji was one of those teachers who didn´t hold his students back, he wanted us to surpass him. I’m the same, I give my all to the students.

And they are lucky to be receiving it

we have as westerners. I was so lucky I got those years of study without it affecting anybody else. So when I got to the phase of being a ’householder’, I was able to drop it all and slowly bring back a maintenance level of practice. By then I had 2 children and a wife who were dependent on me, so I had to travel more and teach more.

It was tiring and I couldn´t practise when doing international workshops.

I would get a few practices in between but it´s not until now that I´ve got the time and the space to become selfish again. Today with you, is actually the first time I´ve practised 3rd series in eight years!”

who are working, who have family and other commitments – only the primary series, or half the primary series may be appropriate. I’m not going to force them to teach – their practice is about their health and sanity.

Sting for example – his yoga is singing. The yoga practice is what keeps him energized and productive.

Madonna has a mind that achieves things – she is focused. She needs to have something behind her to keep John and Kia that mindset... in Berlin, 2011

If the student´s Dharma is not to be a teacher then there is no need to pressure them to do Marichasana C like this or Marichasana D like that, and in this particular order, unless We both smile at the experience, the it is appropriate for that individual. two of us practising in my living room What the teacher gives to the one who is going to be a teacher is different to the person who ”Innovation is what feeds the tradition, allowing it to grow. You can’t replace Krishnamacharya but his work was is doing it for their extended and improved by the innovations of Iyengar, Deshikachar and Pattabhi Jois. They respected and maintained own health and the traditions but at the same time developed them through their own insights and experience.” development – the latter may even benefit from a persoat an early stage in their own yoga to an old film John brought with him nalised sequence. But if they are going journey. If I could have been my own of Guruji counting some senior practo teach, they need to learn the series, student back then it would be great... titioners through the advanced series to be able to pass it on. haha!” in Mysore. Not a single chance for an

We need to take away the extra breath – leaving no choice but to judgement of peer-group Ashtanga We continue to talk about the challentranscend any self-doubt and complepressure – that it must be done in a ges that may arise from being a yoga tely surrender to his count! certain way. Guruji didn´t do it like practitioner and teacher, while raising that. He would let that go and do a family and maintaining your responJohn ”Jung calls the Bramacharya some-thing else for that person. We sibilities towards them and society... state the Athlete. I was an Athlete and should really be able to take someone *Under the Ashram system, the I wanted to win! First series, second who has another important role in human life was divided into four periods. The goal of each period John ”I was lucky that I was 36 before series, third series... I went through society and help him to look at his was the ideal fulfillment of each of becoming a husband and a dad. By them like an Athlete. This is a western health. He is not going to be a teacher the four consecutive stages of life. that time I’d had nine years of practimentality. The next stage Jung calls so we are not going to put him down Bramacharya, until 24 sing with Guruji.

Nine years of being the Warrior.

I got to the top and I had that path. And this is where it is not The male child would live with his to defend my position by becoming one size fits all. It’s one size fits all of family till he was 5 years old. He would a Bramacharya*. In the Indian system then be sent to the house of the Guru this continues up to 24 years of age. a very good and respected teacher. the teachers. A good teacher looks at (teacher) and typically would live with From age 24 to 48, Grihastha is the And it was a fight to keep that posithe individual.” a Guru, acquiring knowledge of science, philosophy, scriptures and logic, ’householder’ phase. In this phase you tion among the Swensons, Millers practising self-discipline and evangelihave done your practice so you are able and Freemans! We were all warriors We decide it´s time for us to wrap calism, learning to live a life of Dharma (righteousness). to let it go and just do maintenance. defending our respective positions! up and let John get down to Gare du So in the Indian system, by the time Now we are states-persons David, Nord for his train. Before he leaves, he Grihastha, 24-48 you are 24 and are moving into the Chuck, Richard and I, we are all going downloads onto my phone the film of The ideal householder life is spent in enjoying family life, carrying out one’s phase of being a parent, you are no around being states-persons. We are Guruji´s counted classes. Making sure duties to family and society, and gainful longer learning the practice, simply teaching teachers.

We hold the knowthat I will l hold and, in my turn, pass labor. The man in this Ashram has to shoulder responsibilities of the other maintaining it. Those nine years of ledge of Guruji´s work, and there will on the knowledge of Guruji´s work three Ashrams. practice with Guruji were like putting be a point when we let it go, allow it to that he has passed on to me over all Vanaprastha, 48-72 (retired life) money in the bank. I had built up the drop away. This is the natural order of those years.

After the completion of one’s house– strength and stamina needed to teach things.”

I like the idea of carrying a little holder duties, one gradually withdraws from the world, freely shares wisdom this system. of Guruji´s work in my pocket. with others, and prepares for the com The challenge in the west is John talks about how we need to plete renunciation of the final stage. that many people arrive in the practice consider each student´s aim with their Words and photography by Kia Sannyasa, 72- (renounced life) already a ’householder’. If you are in practice. Not everyone practises in Naddermier‚ photographer and founOne completely withdraws from the that phase but still doing all that study order to be a teacher. der of Mysore Yoga Paris, Ashtanga world and starts dedicating to spiritual pursuits, the seeking of Moksha (freeand practising, it is, in a way, selfish.

”Guruji did all of the asanas for Yoga Shala. Also co-founder and creadom from the cycle of rebirth), and You are putting yourself before the those who were going to be teachers. tive director of Le Yoga Shop Journal practising meditation to that end.

Source: Wikipedia rest of the family. That is the difficulty However, for some students – those and Le Yoga Shop Paris.

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LIGHT V-NECK T-SHIRT IN WASHED GREY BY SUPERFINE, PRAYER SHAWL IN SNOW WRAPPED AROUND HEAD.

INBETWEENDAYS Photography Kia Naddermier

Styling Annemarie Sheridan

19 LIGHT TANK-TOP IN DUSTY ROSE BY SUPERFINE WORN OVER YOGA BRA TOP ’EKAM’ IN MULBERRY BY SATYA. ’FREEDOM’ TROUSER IN WASHED GREY BY SUPERFINE. BRACELET WITH HEALING STONE BY SARITA.

SHINY SWEAT PANT AND SHINY SWEAT TOP IN BLACK BY FILIPPA K SOFT SPORT WORN WITH BOMBER JACKET IN GOLDEN SAND BY FILIPPA K.

FANNY TOP IN WHITE BY HOPE WORN WITH SWEAT POET SHORT TROUSER IN BLACK BY SUPERFINE.

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BOMBER JACKET IN GOLDEN SAND BY FILIPPA K WORN OVER YOGA BRA TOP IN JET BLACK

BY FILIPPA K SOFT SPORT AND YOGA SHORTS IN BLACK BY BURFITT FOR MYSORE YOGA PARIS.

BIKINI MINI TOP AND BOTTOM IN BLACK

BY FILIPPA K WORN WITH ’SWEAT POET’ SHORT TROUSER IN BLACK BY SUPERFINE.

BIKINI TOP AND HIPSTER BOTTOM IN NAVY/ BLUSH PRINT WORN WITH ’LUCY’ SATIN KIMONO JACKET IN BISQUE ALL BY FILIPPA K.

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’FREEDOM’ ROUND NECK T-SHIRT IN ROSE WORN WITH LEGGINGS IN BLACK ALL BY BURFITT FOR MYSORE YOGA PARIS. PRAYER SHAWL IN SNOW WRAPPED AROUND HEAD.

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YOGA LEOTARD IN GREY MELANGE BY SATYA FOR LE YOGA SHOP PARIS WORN WITH ’HOPE’ SWEATER IN GREY MELANGE BY HOPE.

’HOW SOON IS NOW’ ROUND NECK T-SHIRT IN CLAY BY BURFITT FOR MYSORE YOGA PARIS WORN OVER YOGA BRA TOP ’EKAM’ IN GREY BY SATYA. BIKINI HI-WASTE BOTTOM IN BLACK BY FILIPPA K.

27 ’HOPE’ SWEATER IN GREY MELANGE BY HOPE.

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’SLOPPY’ RIB PULLOVER IN BRITTANY MELANGE WORN WITH BIKINI HIPSTER BOTTOM IN NAVY BY FILIPPA K.

YOGA STRAP TOP IN NIGHT BY FILIPPA K SOFT SPORT AND FLUID YOGA SKIRT IN BLACK BY FILIPPA K WORN OVER LEGGINGS BY BURFITT FOR MYSORE YOGA PARIS. ’SLOPPY’ RIB PULLOVER IN BRITTANY MELANGE BY FILIPPA K DRAPED OVER SHOULDERS.

SWEAT CARDIGAN IN GREY MELANGE AND LEGGINGS BY BURFITT FOR MYSORE YOGA PARIS, YOGA STRAP TOP ’DVE’ IN MULBERRY BY SATYA.

YOGA BRA TOP AND CROPPED YOGA LEGGINGS IN NIGHT WORN WITH NET JERSEY TOP IN LIGHT GREY MELANGE BY FILIPPA K SOFT SPORT.

MEDITATION SCARVES IN DUSTY BURGUNDY AND ELEPHANT GREY WORN WITH ’MYSORE YOGA PARIS’ TANK TOP IN DUSTY BURGUNDY, ALL

BY BURFITT FOR MYSORE YOGA PARIS.

MEDITATION SCARF AND ’STRIKE A POSE’ ROUND NECK T-SHIRT IN ELEPHANT GREY BURFITT FOR MYSORE YOGA PARIS WORN WITH YOGA LEOTARD BY SATYA FOR LE YOGA SHOP PARIS IN LIQUORICE.

PHOTOGRAPHER KIA NADDERMIER / WWW.NADDERMIER.COM STYLIST ANNEMARIE SHERIDAN HAIR TANYA KOCH MAKE-UP LAURE DANSOU @ WALTER SCHUPFER CASTING LISE DE LA BROSSE MODEL MARGA @ PREMIUM MODELS. WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES MOVIE BY AGATHE PHILBÉ AT WWW.LEYOGASHOP.COM GRAND MERCI À JESSICA @ SHOOT EUROPE. ALL CLOTHES AVAILABLE FROM W W W . L E Y O G A S H O P . C O M – SUPPORTING OPERATION SHANTI CHILDRENS’ HOME IN MYSORE, INDIA.

’HOW SOON IS NOW’ TANK TOP IN WHITE AND SWEAT CARDIGAN IN GREY MELANGE

BY BURFITT FOR MYSORE YOGA PARIS WORN WITH SHINY SWEAT PANTS IN BLACK FROM FILIPPA K SOFT SPORT.

34 ”WE BELIEVE FOR MODERN WOMEN LEISURE TIME IS THE ULTIMATE LUXURY...”

— Karin Segerblom FILIPPA K Soft Sport

THE CREATIVES Photography Kia Naddermier Meet the designers and creatives we collaborate with. For more about their ideas and visions please visit ’Designers’ on our website: www.leyogashop.com/ blogs/designers

“MY PASSION IS DESIGNING TO EN– LIGHTEN EVERYDAY LIFE, BECAUSE THAT IS REALLY WHAT LIFE IS ABOUT.” — Ann Ringstrand HOPE

“SATYA YOGAWEAR WAS BORN FROM MY NEED FOR NEW YOGA CLOTHES!” — Donna Rossiter SATYA

”I MET THIS MAN WHO HAD NOTHING. HE HELPED ME TO SPEND ALL MY SAVINGS, AND THEN TAUGHT ME HOW TO SURVIVE BY MAKING MACRAMÉ JEWELRY!” — Sara Hamdi SARITA

35 FRIENDS OF LE YOGA SHOP PARIS AND DISTRIBUTORS OF LE YOGA SHOP JOURNAL

”I LIKE TO DEVELOP MY OLD IDEAS, THEY NEED TO ’COOK’ FOR A WHILE, AND THEN THEY EXPLODE INTO CREATION...”

”WHEN THE ONLY CONSTANT IS CHANGE, YOU’D BETTER BE OPEN FREE AND READY! QUOTIDIANO BRILLANTE MEANS ”BRILLIANT DAILY LIFE” IN ITALIAN, AND EXPRESSES THE IDEA THAT DAILY LIFE IS IMPORTANT, THAT TRAVELLING IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN ARRIVING, AND THAT IT CAN ALL BE BRILLIANT.” — Alexandre Thumerelle OFR/ QUOTIDIANO BRILLANTE

— Lovisa Burfitt BURFITT for Mysore Yoga Paris ”...WHY SHOULD YOGA NOT BE STYLISH? PEOPLE WHO LOVE GOOD CLOTHES USUALLY UNDERSTAND GOOD FABRICS AND TO ME IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT BREATHES WELL AND IS SOFT ON YOUR SKIN WHILE PRACTISING. EVERY OTHER ASPECT OF YOGA IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE CALM AND CLOTHES CAN BE AN EXTENSION OF THAT...”

— Lucy Pinter SUPERFINE

Le Yoga Shop Paris would not exist if it weren’t for our amazing friends helping us spread the message.

We love you! xox Ashtanga Yoga Oslo (Oslo) ayo.no

Lotta Agaton Shop (Stockholm) lottaagatonwebshop.com

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Karin Björkegren-Jones (Sweden) yogavita.se Rosina Bonsu (Glasgow) rosinabonsu.co.uk

Mysore Yoga Paris Ashtanga Yoga Shala (Paris) mysoreyogaparis.com Danny Paradise (Int.) dannyparadise.com

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Purple Valley Yoga (Goa) www.yogagoa.com

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Radha & Pierre (Crete) yogaplus.co.uk

Kjersti Borgen (Oslo) www.solhilsen.no Lise De La Brosse (Paris) mysoreyogaparis.com Helene Couderc (Paris) mysoreyogaparis.com

John Scott (Uk & Int.) johnscottyoga.com Annesophie Sjöblom (Stockholm) yogakungsholmen.se

Tanya Forcellini (Zürich) yogatanja.com

Gretchen Suarez & David Keil Ashtanga Yoga Miami (Miami) ashtangayogamiami.com

Laurence Gay (Paris) laurencegay.com

Maura Tarus (Paris) mauratarus.blogspot.fr

Eleftheria Lagoudaki (Athens) omstudio.gr

Ofr (Paris) ofrsystem.com

Sassa Lee (Stockholm) sassaleeyoga.se

Josefin Wikström (Askersund) www.askersundyoga.com

Joseph Beuys

Words by Tina Magneg책rd-Bjers

The Modern-Day Shaman

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In the creative, political and challenging world of German avant-garde artist Joseph Beuys a broken society can be healed through rituals and performances. Armed with felt and fat, Beuys wanted to build bridges between the spiritual world and the present – and he never stopped believing that everyone is an artist.

It was the winter of 1944 and snow was falling on Crimea. The young Luftwaffe-pilot Joseph Beuys airplane had just been shot down and a merciful darkness prevented him from experiencing the crash. What happened after that is a subject of discussion, but of uttermost importance to the great artistry to become. While German authorities say that Beuys was recovered by a search commando and taken to a military hospital, Beuys himself writes in his biography that he was saved by nomadic Tartar tribesmen. They wrapped his broken body in felt and animal fat and helped him heal.

”I remember voices saying ’Voda’ (water), then the felt of their tents, and the dense pungent smell of cheese, fat and milk. They covered my body in fat to help it regenerate warmth and wrapped it in felt as an insulator to keep warmth in” he said to art critic Caroline Tisdall who published a book on him in 1979.

True or not, the story came to influence Joseph Beuys life and art.

Several years later he made the felt hat and the felt suit his signature look and wood and animals kept coming back

One of Beuys most famous performances was staged in 1965 at a gallery in Düsseldorf. In it, Beuys covered his head in honey and golden leafs, put on an iron sole and carried a dead hare from drawing to drawing while whispering into its ear. The audience was first locked out, left to view the process through the gallery windows, but could later come inside.

How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare is filled with symbolism: Honey fascinated both Beuys and Rudolf Steiner, as it is a living substance produced by the bee society, a symbol of equality.

Gold and the hare have symbolic meanings in many religions and societies.

And the actual explaining to an animal ”conveys a sense of the secrecy in the world” according to Beuys – who also questioned the word ”understanding”.

In another well observed performance in 1974, I like America and America likes me, Beuys flew to New York and was taken by ambulance – on a stretcher, covered up in felt – to a gallery on East Broadway. Beuys then spent several days in the gallery room with a felt blanket, a flashlight, a shepherd’s staff, daily delivered copies

and aware work? One of Beuys goals was to create an atmosphere where the intuitive, passionate soul of the viewer was united with his or her intellectual mind, thereby paving way for spiritual evolution. Between 1963 and 1986, the year of his death due to heart failure, Beuys created and staged about 70 performances.

Throughout his life Beuys was fascinated by the relationship between myth and reality, he integrated symbols and ancient cultural traditions into his art.

But his work was also centered around concepts of humanism, political activism and social philosophy – and he formulated an extended definition of art often referred to as ”social sculpture” or ”gesamtkunstwerk”. It it society is regarded as one large work of art and each person can contribute creatively (hence: Everyone is an artist).

When entering Beuys world, I feel like I´m getting to know a gentle, very creative and very aware mind.

Many of his theories later in life – such as Social sculpture and Everyone is an artist - are about creating an inclusive ideology far from the Nazigermany where he grew up.

Beuys took in the oak tree, a symbol ”By performing self-invented rituals, Beuys believed that he could take on the role of a modern-day shaman, used by the Nazis, affect the world around him and heal a sick society and – if needed – create revolutionary change” for one of his most praised works of art: 7000 Oaks. It consisted in 7000 of Wall Street Journal and – a wild oak tress that were planted in Kassel in his art, also echoing his childhood coyote, an animal that is of spiritual in Germany – new trees that were to fascination with nature. Maybe equally significance for Native Americans. As grow on top of the bad old Germany, important for Beuys artistic expresthe hours passed, Beuys was someaccording to art critic Caroline Tisdall sion was his early interest in Rudolf who later became Beuys collaborator Steiners anthroposophical philosophy, times leaning on the cane, wrapping himself in felt, occasionally making and travel companion. The trees are in which one believes in the existence symbolic gestures.

The animal circled still there. And Joseph Beuys fight for of a spiritual world that can be accesarts raw existence and place in society sed through inner development. Beuys him and chewed on the felt but eventually grew tolerant of him. At the end is very much alive today. found anthroposophy to be a practical of the performance Beuys hugged the

way to take in reality. coyote and was taken to the airport by Words by Tina Magnergård-Bjers, ambulance, without having set foot on journalist at the Swedish news agency Grasping Beuys huge artistry can American ground.

TT – dedicated yoga practitioner, art be somewhat overwhelming, since he

While watching the black and lover and cross-country skier based in was extremely productive and worked white images, an echoing testimony Stockholm. In the last issue of Le Yoga in many fields. Educated at Kunstakaof the performances, I think about Shop Journal Tina wrote a piece on demie Düsseldorf – were he was later Joseph Beuys belief that performance abstract pioneer Hilma af Klint. appointed professor of monumental sculpture – he was a painter, a sculptor art was a medium that could lead to Images from Caroline Tisdall’s book and a graphic artist as well as a perfor- self healing and social transformation.

By performing self-invented rituals, Coyote (Thames & Hudson, 2008 – mance artist, a theorist and a teacher.

Beuys believed that he could take original ed. Schirmer/Mosel, 1976).

He was also a central part of the antion the role of a modern-day shaman, Published with kind permission from art, anti-commercial fluxus movement affect the world around him and heal Thames & Hudson Ltd, London. Works together with George Maciunas, a sick society and – if needed – create

by Joseph Beuys © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn.

Nam June Paik and Yoko Ono. They arranged festivals and performances in revolutionary change. What can we Sources Walker Art Institute, Dia Art Foundation, learn from this approach today? On many cities in Europe and the United New York Times, Guardian, Magasin 3, Guggenheim States during the sixties and seventies. what arenas do we see such intense and National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.

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An INSIDERS GUIDE to SAN FRANCISCO

Green beauty activist Caroline Wachsmuth guide us to some favorite hang-outs in her new hometown San Francisco.

The very first day I arrived in San Francisco, I remember feeling that this could very much be home. I’ve lived in many places that I loved for different reasons, but this wasthe one – this ’beautiful city by the sea’ that I fantasized about as a child.

San Francisco is almost as a big charming village – green, colorful, vibrant. People are very cool and some are still ’wearing flowers in their hair...’ It feels like a lot is about freedom and re-invention.

As a beauty, yoga and anything-about-greengoodness passionate, I am picky with my hang-outs.

Below I have listed some of them and I am very happy to share them with anyone who happens to come to the Bay area.

GREEN FOOD Plant Café Check the one that is at Embarcadero for the beautiful terrace over the sea. Kale salads, green smoothies, it’s a bit of a vegan/vegeterian girl paradise.

Jane This is the kind of spot to go and drink a fabulous freshly blended green juice, fresh salads with kale, avocados and all kind of healthy veggies.

It’s in Pacific Heights, which is kind of the posh area in the city but nice to stroll around for fashion and deco places.

Samovar A very impressive tea menu and amazing vegetarian dishes. They have 3 restaurants in the city, all of them have the same menu but different vibes, my favorite is the one in Hayes Valley for the cosy atmosphere and super friendly staff.

Ferry building Farmers’ market This is a landmark and a must-see! One of the biggest

organic farmers’ market ever.

A true destination/experience for those who like it green.

BEST COFFEE The Mill On Divisadero and Grove, which is totally opening up with many cool stores and restaurants, the Mill is a huge brown stone space that serves only the best coffees, bread and treats. Very stylish and elegant and must definitely be a destination for all coffee lovers.

FAVORITE BAR Absinthe It’s a brasserie before being a bar. The vibe is very relaxed and there is a little terrace on the busy Hayes Street, perfect for starting an evening out.

YOGA For all ashtangis, there are a few studios in the city that teach Mysore style. I practice at Yoga Garden with Sidney Huang who is an excellent teacher and I highly recommend his classes.

There is also Asta Yoga, which has Ashtanga classes

and is a very nice studio with good teachers.

At the Mindful Body they offer a Mysore program. The teacher you want there is Jennifer Dougherty, I only hear excellent things about her teaching.

BEST PAMPERING International Orange Spa – Yoga Lounge Finding the best spa is critical for me and I know that this is the case for most yogis and anyone trying to take care of their body. I tried many of them here in the city and always come back to International Orange. Very ’intuitive’ massage therapists, amazing space, peaceful atmosphere and on top of it all, very green friendly. I must say it’s an overall healing experience each time. Thumbs up IO! Earthbody The smallest spa in town but also the most ’organic’, super cosy, brilliant massage therapists and only hand made awesome organic products. It is right in the heart of Hayes Valley, so it is a must-go!

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BEAUTY I love In Fiore! It’s a local beauty brand that has been around for more than a decade and creates luxurious yet timeless beauty products made of the most refined botanicals and natural raw materials.

BEST FASHION La Boutique, l’Art et la Mode A stunning space nestled in a pretty elegant part of town, Jackson @ Montgomery. Founder Carole Harari calls it a multi-disciplinary space. And that’s exactly what it is as the best of Margiela, Valentine Gauthier, Jerôme Dreyfuss, Collection 66 or Patricia Blanchet co-exist with young artists’ work.

The General store This is a little gem in an unexpected area of the city (not where it is busy and commercial) featuring most of the coolness in terms of magazines, fashion, decor and jewlery. They have an online store too.

VINTAGE Verunica Chic vintage in the city is definitely here. From extravagant Louboutin to Courrèges must-have, 60’s Gucci belts and art deco jewelry among a new hip designers selection. They have another shop down the street with a bit of a wider choice for men.

Tantrum In Cole Valley, not far from the mythical Haight & Ashbury corner, there is an incredible vintage store for children.

The cutest garments for little ones, adorable antique toys and ceramics, jewelry, this is all local and really worth a visit.

PRESS AND BOOKS My two favorite bookstores in the city: Juicy News Needles and Pens I go there to find all my favorite international magazines.

They cover art, fashion, decor, travel and more. And on top of it all, they are super friendly and knowledgable.

FLOWERS Flora Grubb A kind of green temple in a huge ware-house, a little bit out of the center of the city, but it’s worth the adventure.

Flora, the creator, can turn the tiniest piece of moss into an artwork. The most enchanting flower arrangements and plants I have seen in the Bay area.

Birch I love this small black super discrete boutique. It’s a little bit like an art gallery with exotic flowers, an edgy international magazine selection and an ever changing collection of design objects and jewelry.

FUNNY SF SOUVENIRS Sanfranpsycho This is a destination if you come to SF and want to buy some fun, edgy souvenirs.

They only stock brands created by local artists, ranging from beauty, jewelry and streetwear kind of fashion.

STAY Cavallo Point This is one of the most beautiful hotel/restaurant/spa around the Golden Gate. It is Gold Level LEED certified and awarded ’New Green American Landmark’ by Travel & Leisure. You should go there to enjoy a massage in their fabulous spa (book ahead – three days in advance). They have some of the best therapists in town and it’s worth every penny. Being surrounded by nature and enjoying their hot pool is the ultimate treat.

Hotel Vitale The perfect place to stay in SF if you want to make sure you unwind. I love this hotel for its zen vibe (wood, clean, minimal décor) and also because it’s right by the sea.

Words and photography by Caroline Wachsmuth. After many years studying natural therapies including massage and aromatherapy, Caroline moved to Paris where she launched her first beauty brand, Doux Me, in 2002.

Now based in San Francisco, Caroline is designing and creating a new, expanding awareness about green beauty and cultivating her ashtanga practice.

Links and contact info. in Le Yoga Shop Journal on-line: www.leyogashop.com/blogs/ lejournal

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While the practice of ashtanga yoga is firmly routed in India, cultures across the globe have taken it to their hearts and continue to embrace its teachings. ‘Traditional ashtanga’ is a term often used by teachers and students so, as the practice spreads, what does it really mean to stay true to that tradition? With ashtanga gaining more devotees, are we entering a new phase in its evolution? Chris Patmore spoke to dedicated teachers and students Jeff and Harmony Lichty, Kia Naddermier and Mark Robberds to get their views.

Words by Chris Patmore

The EVOLUTION

The term ‘traditional ashtanga’ is used in different ways and can have different meanings. What’s your take on it?

Mark Robberds One definition of ’tradition’ is something that is handed down from teacher to student, from generation to generation. I think this represents what ashtanga is in the traditional sense – it has been handed down through the generations, from Krishnamacharya to Pattabhi Jois to Sharath and now to us.

Harmony Lichty It’s a hard term, ’traditional ashtanga yoga’. You could say it’s traditional if it is the way

Sharath is teaching in Mysore right now. But others say the practice has evolved from how Guruji was teaching in the 80s, and more so the 70s. It’s really hard to say ’this is traditional ashtanga yoga’. I like that David Swenson points out how much of the asana practice has stayed the same – this is huge! Perhaps there have been little changes here and there but in general it has largely stayed the same practice for decades. So I don’t know if we can really put it in a box with a stamp that says ’this is traditional ashtanga yoga’.

So for asana, we’d do well to take our cue from Mysore. How about if

we look further back and at a broader context..?

Jeff Lichty I think it is Patanjali yoga. This is the way I look at it – ashtanga yoga is Patanjali yoga. What we do daily on the mat is a specific asana practice that’s been given to us

by Krishnamacharya, Guruji and now Sharath, and has largely stayed the same. But it’s still inserted into the bigger picture of ashtanga yoga, which includes the yamas and niyamas. To me this is really the most important part for us to be working on, those first four or five limbs. And with this asana, you can’t get a more thorough system.

of a TRADITION Krishnamacharya’s Ashtanga Vinyasa Krama Yoga. A very young Pattabhi Jois supposedly being stood on by Krishnamacharya while in Kapotasana. From the book ’The Yoga Of The Yogi – The Legacy of T Krishnamacharya’

by Kausthub Desikachar.

Published by Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, 2005.

If you pursue it well, it’s going to open up a whole bunch of things. To me it’s Patanjali yoga. That’s what I’m interested in studying and that’s why I’m here in Mysore – it gives us this chance to practice.

MR If we are talking about ashtanga yoga in the broader sense, we are talking about yoga according to Patanjali. So then it is something that goes back thousands of years. I still believe that what we are doing here today is connected to that. If we keep thinking of ashtanga yoga in terms of the asana then it just becomes this strand, which is very limited. We have to think about

it in terms of the whole lifestyle. When we come to Mysore and we see the way that Sharath is living his life, the way that he is, we learn a lot more about what the practice of ashtanga yoga really is – that it’s not just on the mat.

Kia Naddermier I think we must be careful using the word ’traditional’ as it’s often confused with fundamentalism. It’s important to remember that the ancient yogis were freedom thinkers – looking to free themselves from all boundaries. Yoga is first and foremost an experiential science, which has been developed over thousands of years and is built on just that – the

yogi’s own experience. Yoga is not static – it’s organic and constantly evolving. Our own experience on the mat is part of the evolution of yoga. That doesn’t mean that we should disrespect the lineage or need to invent new yoga poses or styles to fit our liking. What it does mean is that within the practice we need to move with incredible gentleness and openness towards ourselves and our own experience in the practice – never forcing something upon us because of ’tradition’, which would ultimately be to ignore the very fundament of all yoga practices being ahimsa – or non-harming.

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44 There are also some interesting discussions around ashtanga as an ancient tradition and as a modern practice…

MR These books have come out saying that ashtanga yoga is only something created by Krishnamacharya and Pattabhi Jois in the twentieth century. When Guruji or Sharath have spoken about it, it’s a 5,000-year old tradition. We’re not just talking about what we are doing on the mat. It’s how that is connected to this lineage, this tradition. We can also look at the whole yogic tradition, not just in terms of Patanjali but also the Upanishads and the Baghavad Gita. Sharath indicates a lot when he talks about the Baghavad Gita and union of the jivatman, the individual self, with the paramatman, the universal self. Sharath usually defines yoga in two ways – the union of the jivatman with the paramatman, and Patanjali’s definition, yogas chitta vritti nirodhah – the ceasing of the fluctuations of the mind.

On one hand, there are students becoming more knowledgeable about higher levels of ashtanga yoga. On the other hand, yoga is becoming more popular in gyms where it is often presented as a form of exercise.

Can these two approaches co-exist or are they forever going to be in conflict with each other?

MR I think they can co-exist.

Cream rises to the top, right? As more people practice ashtanga, whether as an exercise form or something else, there will be those among that who will gravitate towards the deeper aspects of yoga. And good teachers will always be there to share that.

HL I think it’s like a big funnel.

They have to co-exist. So many people come to the practice for the physical benefits, or the stress relief, and as they start to experience their breath and their body something very subtle starts to change in them. Some will go a little deeper and see it as having a spiritual purpose. A lot of people will keep doing their practice as a workout once a week and keep it at that. Maybe they just want to stay limber. That’s where they are at and they are happy staying there – maybe they don’t really want to go deeper into a daily practice.

JL Who of us can invalidate someone else’s experience? Eventually they all get here. That’s the interesting thing. They all get here. The really sincere seekers of yoga truth end up at really important places to study and practice. I’m not saying Mysore is the

only place. I think there are other places. There is this very superficial level in some presentations of yoga. The word yoga has become very popular and the meaning has not kept up with the popularity. Probably if some people knew the real meaning they wouldn’t be interested in the yoga. So who’s to say which is better?

KN I agree with Jeff, who can be the judge of someone else’s journey? What resonates with me may or may not at all resonate with someone else. One must always stay away from rigidity and a mind-set of ’us and them’ in yoga. In the end the truth is One, although the methods are probably as many as there are souls on this planet.

HL It’s a scary thing. If someone says to a student ’come do this, it’s going to change you and transform your life – you’re going to become totally different’, the student might be resistant. Then some people start to taste that and they keep going further and further with it.

MR There is something about this yoga that you can’t really put a finger on. I got an email from a 70year old woman who I taught in 2007 expressing so much gratitude. It was a very touching email. It struck me that we don’t always know the way we’re affecting people and the change we can create – just by teaching what seems like asana on a physical level. How can you put that into words?

Does the progression from physical asana to broader aspects of yoga have to come from the student or the teacher? How much is from the teacher trying to guide the student in that direction?

KN I think that a student will choose a teacher who transmits whatever it is that particular individual is looking for. So naturally a person looking only for the health-benefits of yoga may not end up with the same teacher or method as someone ready to go beyond those aspects. As a teacher I try to be as open as possible with the little information I have, knowing that I wouldn’t have been given it in the first place if it wasn’t to share it with others.

MR It’s not necessarily from the student. Sometimes a student will come to a workshop or a retreat and the teacher will share some deeper aspects and the student might not have realised they can get that.

HL I think a lot of it has to be initiated from the student. I feel there has to be that desire and thirst, which comes from within the student, for dee-

’The Yoga Of The Yogi – The Legacy of T Krishnamacharya’ by Kausthub Desikachar.

Published by Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, 2005.

’The Art of Yoga’

by BKS Iyengar.

HarperCollins Publishers India, 1993. (Above) ’Yoga Mala’ by Yogasana Visharada Vedanta Vidvan Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Published by Eddie Stern/Patanjali Yoga Shala, 1999. Cover photo by Holton Rower. (Right)

45 per knowledge or experiences. When that’s there, the right teacher will show up to help them go further.

As amazing as a teacher might be, they can’t force somebody to yearn for that deeper experience. It has to be something that comes up naturally.

Maybe they seek out the teacher or maybe the teacher has been there all along. There could be many scenarios.

There’s no time limit – everyone is going at a different rate.

Mysore in India is the home and origin of the ashtanga tradition. It’s where Pattabhi Jois taught the practice and where his grandson Sharath continues to teach it today. This being the case, just how important is it for ashtanga students across the world to visit Mysore?

JL I think if you’re really deeply interested in what this practice is about, you go and connect with it at the source. It’s brilliant and things shift here for people. I think it’s really important – not necessary for everyone though. It’s something that people have to want. If they feel the calling, they should come.

HL If they have an interest and they ask about it, they need to go. It’s amazing – I’ve seen students who come for their first time to Mysore and then they have a different understanding of the practice.

MR It’s great if they can and if they can’t, it’s ok. David Swenson has said that Mysore is a state of mind, not just a place. I like that. I think you can access it through teachers that have been. To go for a month is a long time for some people.

KN Again this is something that is completely individual. Pattabhi Jois said that ashtanga yoga is for everyone.

I think that claiming one must visit Mysore to progress on the yogic path would be to make this yoga incredibly exclusive. There are so many people who are very sincere yoga practitioners but might not have the possibility nor the means to go to Mysore for the minimum one month.

We have to remember that this yoga was originally developed for householders – with families, full-time jobs and other responsibilities that might be just as honourable as someone else’s calling to go to Mysore. The roots of this particular method of yoga are definitely here and for some people it is a gift to experience – but it is not something we can take for granted as given to every sincere practitioner of ashtanga.

”Who of us can invalidate someone else’s experience?

Eventually they all get here.

That’s the interesting thing.

They all get here...”

Jeff Lichty

So for those who do visit Mysore, what’s the attraction and what do they get from it?

MR Practicing in India and practicing at the source – there’s something powerful about that. Being in the room with Sharath and with so many other dedicated practitioners – I find the energy is very calm and still but there’s this intensity.

It terms of developing anything in your life, whether it’s a talent in music or art, or it’s with yoga, you surround yourself with other people who have that same passion.

You can be with a teacher who is able to give you feedback and who will test you so you can develop. And you can be in an environment where you have discussions with other students, like we’re doing now, talking about the practice. We go all day thinking about what we’re going to eat, what time we’ll go to sleep – so all our focus is channelled into the practice.

JL It’s about the totality of yoga and this method of transmission. I’ve seen at the pool when they have kids’ swimming lessons, the Indian men would be tossing these kids in the water and yelling ’move your arms’. And then you’ve got this context – this is how Guruji was taught! They just yell at you and you flail and you just do it.

Sometimes we mystify this into some

big puzzle. Just get in the pool and get swimming and you’re going to figure it out.

A final thought…

MR For me, the spirit of the practice and the spirit of the teaching is more important than the method.

I’ve seen when some people just focus on the method they get very dogmatic, which can be very exclusive and judgemental of everyone else. It’s like Sharath says in conference – why are we doing this? It’s about self-transformation. If you’re really teaching from the heart, that becomes your motivation to teach the method, rather than trying to be a fundamentalist.

If ashtangis can’t get along, what hope is there for the rest of the world?

Text by Chris Patmore who is a yoga student, freelance writer and a regular contributor to Le Yoga Shop Journal based in the UK. Jeff & Harmony Lichty are ashtanga yoga teachers based in Canada and founders of Ashtanga Yoga Victoria.

Mark Robberds is teaching ashtanga yoga internationally, giving retreats and workshops world wide.

Kia Naddermier is based in Paris, teaches ashtanga yoga and is the founder of Mysore Yoga Paris.

”If you’re really teaching from the heart, that becomes your motivation to teach the method, rather than trying to be a fundamentalist.

If ashtangis can’t get along, what hope is there for the rest of the world?”

Mark Robberds

Patanjali.

46

A LETTER FROM MYSORE

We are very grateful to share this letter from from our friends at Operation Shanti in Mysore, India Part of all profits from Le Yoga Shop Paris is donated to Operation Shanti. Read more about our cause here: www.leyogashop.com/ pages/the-cause

Dear Friends at Le Yoga Shop Paris, We wanted to share with you a birthday card that one of our kids wrote to his house mother. She was touched to have received the card, and we think it reflects the effort that she and our other house mothers make to care for the 44 kids at our children’s home.

One of the challenges that we’ve had in the past is finding the appropriate staff, including house mothers, to help care for our kids at Karunya Mane. For one thing, it’s not an easy job (for parents with two or three kids, you know what we mean – think about taking care of 44 kids at once). For another thing, many shy away from working with street or slum kids. Moreover, anyone could simply ’do’ the job and be a passive, warm body in the room to monitor the kids.

It takes special people to be effective house mothers and actually make an effort to improve the lives of kids like ours (or any kid) – not just materialistically by providing them with what they need on a daily basis – but also by taking the time to teach each of them good life lessons, values, and ethics, 24/7.

We are lucky to have two such women. They are incredibly positive influences on the lives of our boys and girls.

A few days ago, our boys’ house mother had her birthday. Surya, one of our ten-year-old boys, left a birthday card for her on her bed as she slept. When she awoke, she said it was the first thing she saw and she read it. She wept out of happiness.We share this card in honor of all of the great teachers, parents, and caretakers who dedicate their lives to improving the life of a child or children. Thank you so much, and thank you for your continued support from Paris!

The Operation Shanti Team

Translation (left page) Dear Teacher, You are always my teacher.

I am always your student.

(right page) Respected Teacher, Wish you a very happy birthday.

You are the teacher who has given me education and knowledge. You have taught me that we should always be merciful towards others, we should love all, we should not hate anyone. Your wish is that I should become a good human being and take care of all and that I should make a name for myself. I will behave as you wish and make you proud one day. I will see to it that you will become very happy on seeing me and my success.

Respected teacher, I can never forget you. I think of you every second.

Surya J.

Surya

Sulochana (girl’s house mother), Yogavathi (cook), Kavitha (house– keeper), Mehar Banu (boys’ house mother)