Guest blog- Brandi Braun- My Morning Mysore Love Story

After taking various yoga classes over several years, I built up the courage to attend an “ashtanga beginner’s drop in” class. The work was hard, but the passion of the teacher and the energy I felt from the practice touched me.  I knew deep down inside that I loved this practice.  I continued to attend classes as I could and as they were offered – around two nights per week.    As much as I enjoyed the practice, I didn’t love practicing at night – I left class energized and uplifted and then had to quickly calm down so I could sleep.  I knew this was meant to be a morning practice and was asking around for morning class options to no avail, so I kept up with my evening practice.

I will never forgot the day in May 2012 when I received the Facebook group invite to join the “Morning Mysore Club” – an early morning Ashtanga practice group, taught by Taylor Hunt from 5:00 – 8:00 am.  Joining the club required a commitment of attending three classes a week for one year.  I didn’t even have to THINK about it.  I knew in my heart that this program was for me and that the dedication needed would be good for me.  I signed up and came to Yoga on High for my first morning class on June 1, 2012. 

I was so nervous parking in the dark lot and walking up to the studio.  As a 31 year old woman, I felt like a teenager on the first day of school.  “Who will be here?;  Will they know me?; Will they like me?;  Will I be the most inexperienced student?;  Will Taylor like me?; Who the hell is Taylor?”.  I took a few deep breaths, walked into the studio and unrolled my mat in the second row.  I still remember who I was by…..Teresa…… who has a beautiful practice and one that can look intimidating to a newbie.   I remember her being so nice and smiling at me several times, which made me feel welcome.  I still get to practice next to Teresa now…we are both teachers and friends.

I won’t lie.  Waking up at 4:00 am for yoga was not an easy transition.  First of all, it required a HUGE lifestyle change for me: no more late dinners and drinks, no more closing down bars, no more last minute evening social plans.  I had to establish a firm bed time and, even harder, I had to inform my group of very fun and very social friends. Also, for the first few weeks, I was TIRED during the day – I wasn’t sure waking up at 4 was sustainable.  But, it got easier….much easier as I fell in love with the practice of Ashtanga.  In fact, three days a week of practice turned into 4, then 5, then 6 days a week as traditionally prescribed.  I reached a point where practicing made me feel better; it grounded me for the day to come.  I wasn’t the same person without it and “skipping” was no longer an option.  I have practiced sick, injured, sad, heartbroken, mad, stressed, tired and hung-over  (I don’t recommend that last one – it is never fun).  It’s not always easy to “bring my ass to class”, but I do and I NEVER regret it.  In fact, I leave feeling better than when I arrived 100% of the time. 

I leave practice knowing that I have just done 60 – 120 minutes of the hardest work I will do all day; work that challenges me on a physical, mental and spiritual level.  I have fallen, cried, cursed, smiled and laughed.  But when I’m done, I roll up my mat and drive home with a fresh perspective on my day.     

I leave class every morning believing in myself. 

I didn’t always believe so greatly in myself though.  In fact, I was very unsure of who I was.  Not to mention, nothing about the practice came easy to me.  I see some people come to class who were gymnasts, dancers, athletes and the physical part of the practice seems to come naturally.  This wasn’t me.  I have worked incredibly hard for every pose and every “yoga breakthrough”.   Although my practice hasn’t advanced as quickly as some, I am glad.  The hard work, focus and dedication that I have been forced to cultivate has changed me…changed me for the better.

I couldn’t have done this alone, though.  I owe my practice and its benefits to the person who has believed in me more than I believed in myself – my teacher, Taylor Hunt.  Honestly, the simple act of writing this fills my heart with gratitude and brings tears to my eyes.   Taylor, like any gifted teacher, gives the student what they need even if the student doesn’t know they need it or want it– compassion, love, encouragement and sometimes a big swift kick in the ass. 

Ashtanga yoga has taught me about love; how to truly love myself, those around me and life in general.  I can’t imagine my life without it. 

Morning Mysore Guest Blog - Kirsten Carroll

When people first hear about what my mornings are like, they tend to look at me like I'm crazy.  Yes, it's possible that before you have even considered waking up, I have already done around an hour and a half of hard work in a room full of people doing strange poses and breathing funny. Sounds like a good time, right? Honestly, it's the best way to start the day.

Before I started to spend my mornings in the mysore room, I didn't know much about Ashtanga.  In fact, all I really knew was that I liked the idea of a class in the morning before I had to go to work. I'm pretty sure it's the earliest yoga class offered in Columbus, so I decided to try it out. I had done yoga before at my gym and in my living room, but never yoga like this.

Like a lot of people, I was pretty intimidated at first.  I read a little bit about mysore style and Ashtanga before going to my first class, so I had a vague idea of what I was getting into.  On my first day, I learned sun salutations A & B and then the final three poses.  I am almost amazed now that I got even that far. But I struggled through and Taylor, who I would soon come to refer to as my teacher, told me that if I kept coming, I would learn more. So I kept showing up. And he was right: I have learned a lot more.

Most of what I've learned, though, is not asana.  Don't get me wrong: I have learned plenty about the Ashtanga primary series. But what I've really taken away from the practice is not simply that. I have learned a lot of other things, including things about myself. 

One of my favorite and most unexpected lessons has been how to laugh at myself. I think it really started when I was learning shoulderstand.  I could not for the life of me figure out how to get my legs up. Things were just not clicking.  Normally when I can't learn something quickly or can't figure something out, I will eventually get frustrated and get down on myself about it.  Not then.  I started laughing.  I realized that not only did I look utterly ridiculous at that moment, but that it was okay and I might as well embrace it.  I laughed so hard I cried.  I laughed so much that Taylor could not keep it together either. I laughed myself right into a better sense of humor that day, I think.

I don't laugh every day in my practice. Some days are hard. It can take a lot just to show up. But every day that I practice is worth it. I'm grateful that I get the opportunity.

Ty Burhoe - Angel's Prayer

Yoga in New York!!! With Sharath

Some of you may know that I have recently gotten back from New York. I went there really as a precursor to my trip to India. I seriously think that Sharath couldn't of pushed us any harder. I am not kidding we held headstand for every bit of 5 minutes and my shoulder were screaming "no mas, no mas". Oh Yeah and just when I thought I was a badass at Navasana, i was humbled. It was a five count and again like a half hour long ;)

and just for the record don't talk to me about Utplithi the last pose in the primary series. By that time I was in a trance and crying inside. not jk.

My overall experience was amazing! Everyday I was in the middle of the room and Sharath hung out right in that area. I didn't have my glasses on so I couldn't see anything but  every day he would say something directed at my vicinity about " no catching, no catching. I assumed it was to me I was the only one catching in Navasana! ha!  There was about 300 people in the room and through out the week I probably got about 6 adjustments. I was really surprised at that. I think he may have liked my Ganesh on my chest and the Shiva on my back.(tattoo) That may have been why I got a lot of adjustments.  Another crazy thing is when I got adjusted  they were soft but very effective and intelligent. My body did what he asked!

When I went up to pay my respects the first thing he said to me was " Where did you get that shirt?" I said "What?" He said "that shirt very interesting for a yogi".  hmmmm! I said. I was going to explain but I realized quickly that he was teasing me.  In just a weeks time it was sort of like the forming of a relationship. Pretty amazing if you ask me. I love my life

Welcome video

Bewilderment

Everyday I get up at 3am to work at a job that I half like. My job tends to be super stressful. I manage or I guess you could call it "babysit" 50 employees who roughly make between $8 to 15$ an hour. Some of these employees struggle with reading others with listening and others just show stupidity all the time. I don't know why I am telling you this other than sometimes I just want to say enough is enough. It is to much!!!! I get paid a descent amount but the amount that I give..... you would think that I own the place. I do not! I tend to take this job home and wrestle with it and let it effect all of my other relationships. My wife said to me the other day " Calm down! Taylor, you don't need to boss us around your not at work anymore". Wow, Not cool. Obviously, my switch is broken. The switch that turns work off and turns on my home life.  Sometimes, it just wears on me to much. Through all my soul searching and Yoga, I have found that it is not the job that's the problem. It is me. About a year ago we/ I had to lay off about half of the then 75 person crew. Boy did I feel the grim reaper. I remember looking in the mirror and just wishing that I get back in bed and pull the covers over my head and wish that all my problem would disappear. The problems didn't disappear as a matter of fact they got worse but my outlook got better. I had somewhat of a epiphany....... as I sat in front of the mirror wishing i didn't have to go in I realized that I was creating my own misery.... I was creating this suffering ..... I was creating this pain in my body.  I practice yoga on a daily basis and  for some reason when I was practicing,  I realized that I was blocking it all out. I was using my yoga as a form of escape. So instead of using my yoga practice to soften the issues I was having at work. I was actually creating a bigger one by not dealing with it. My practice began to dull and my body felt like I was carrying around bricks as I jumped around on my yoga mat. The pain of practice almost became unbearable every joint in my whole body cracking and popping.  I was creating my own misery and suffering and I was carrying it around with me all the time. Everywhere.  I broke through to the other side.......... On my yoga mat standing in Samasthit and  I was building my breath and awareness standing at attention.  Tears coming down my face. The bricks were lessened  the heaviness slipping away to the light.
You know managing these guys and having to lay people off. It Sucks 
Some days this job of mine is unbearable but they don't pay me enough to take this shit home with me.
Freedom

The Basics of Pranayama Yoga w/ Richard Freeman