Dear Yogi Marlon
I am a yoga teacher and have been quoting this for many years; a student of mine wondered where this quote was to be found? I have mistakenly been saying that it was BKS Iyenger’s assertion, but after many hours of reading and research I came across your ‘Zen and Now of Running’ but I still can’t find the source for this quote.
Could you help me please? Do you know if and where this was written? Meantime I am still going through my many yoga books in the hopes that I may track this down for my student who wishes mention it in an article she has to write and who needs the references if she does.
Thank you for your time and patience.
Yours in the spirit of yoga
Om shanti – Namaste
Rosina
Hi Rosina,
I heard the comment with my own ears in about 1993, when I was sitting with the man, who was the teacher of a few of my teachers. His name is Kavi Yogiraj Mani Finger. He may well have been quoting one of his teachers when he said, verbatim, “Heh! Running is for horses!” but I think not. It was Mani’s way to scoff at what he perceived as nonsense, and truthfully, I’ve never found anything he dismissed, to be worthy of more. Mani was controversial particularly in his expression, but I’ve found joyfully, that his seemingly impolite nature consistently cut through the fluff of the New Age thinking, and revealed truths that otherwise may have taken years longer to assimilate. I think it is with little risk, that we can fairly attribute the quote to dear Mani.
By the way, I am told that on his 85th birthday, Mani did a 45-minute headstand to celebrate the occasion. This vision and my memory of his sense of true mirth, I expect will continue to inspire me through all my years. It was a privilege, an honor and a lovely piece of grace to have sat before him. I wish for you that someone of such unique inspiration will cross your path equally as indelibly.
Mani also said that same day, "The intellect is over-rated," which is a concept I've learned through and through. So much of our culture focuses on the mind, when it’s such a fraction of the totality of our existence. Ask many and they will agree that we are not our bodies, but ask more, and they will tell you we are the stuff of our thoughts and personality. They'll say it is our ideas that make us who we are. If one looks at the kind of work that is valued today, physical labor is looked down upon as inferior to "brainier" jobs. Why? Who says using your brain or mind is superior to using your body, and if so, why? Our culture has a judgment that it is more admirable, but to my eyes it’s merely a single step more subtle or refined. I don't agree it makes it necessarily better. It's clearly more desired in our culture and perhaps even for me, but better? No.
To take the point further, Mani said, "Believe everything until proven untrue." For many who think of themselves as intellectual beings, this idealogy refutes logic. For them science is the sole indicator of truth. I say that's even more absurd, because the scientific theory as a method of proving what is true or false has only existed for about 150 years. Another huge factor is the enormous amount of funding and time it takes to conduct the process of hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion. What about all the things that are never studied? Do they all cease to exist because they are not scientifically proven? Of course not. Furthermore, quantum physics, a science, has proven that the expectation of the experimenter significantly contributes to the actual outcome of experiments, not just the interpretation of the data.
If alternatively, we do not wait for proof, we open the possibilities in our lives. This is not to say that we fly in the face of logic at all. It simply suggests that we no longer have a "prove it to me" attitude and its resulting standoffishness before we give something a try. Instead we employ our innate powers of intuition. We believe that grace has a hand in what occurs in our lives. We instead learn to trust that what is before us in our lives is precisely the teacher we need to propel our spiritual growth. As a result of all these thoughts, I try to read the signs and apply my will to create a life for myself. I invite you to do the same!
Thanks for writing.
Om shanti,
Yogi Marlon
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
How Much Yoga Is Right?
Hi Yogi Marlon,
I've been doing your beginners yoga dvd for about three weeks, I'm not sure if i'm over doing it. I do about an hour, six times a week, this is the only form of excercise i do.
Not sure if it helps but i'm an ex gymnast as well.
Many thanks.
Lisa
lisa amor
surrey
west byfleet, england
HI Lisa,
I think that is a terrific amount of yoga to do! I wish all my yoga DVD viewers were that consistent.
By the way, in my years of observing who maintains in good physical shape well into their years, I have very often found those who have been gymnasts remain incredibly fit well into their old age. Yoga will certainly help insure that.
Best of luck with your practice.
PS I might come to the UK this spring to teach pranayama and bandha practices. If you want to be on the mailing list, please let me know.
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
I've been doing your beginners yoga dvd for about three weeks, I'm not sure if i'm over doing it. I do about an hour, six times a week, this is the only form of excercise i do.
Not sure if it helps but i'm an ex gymnast as well.
Many thanks.
Lisa
lisa amor
surrey
west byfleet, england
HI Lisa,
I think that is a terrific amount of yoga to do! I wish all my yoga DVD viewers were that consistent.
By the way, in my years of observing who maintains in good physical shape well into their years, I have very often found those who have been gymnasts remain incredibly fit well into their old age. Yoga will certainly help insure that.
Best of luck with your practice.
PS I might come to the UK this spring to teach pranayama and bandha practices. If you want to be on the mailing list, please let me know.
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
Monday, January 22, 2007
How Much Ujjayi Pranayama Is Best?
Hello Yogi Marlon,
First let me say, I recently started watching your yoga for absolute beginners video. In it you speak of being mindful of our breath. I have tried very hard to focus on my breath during practice, but I sometimes find myself breathing in this way throughout my day. Is it the goal, through much practice, to learn to breath like this in our day-to-day life, or should it be limited to our practice and meditation? Thank you for any advice you may give and I look forward to being able to continue to follow your teachings.
Namaste,
Amanda
Cameron, NC
Hi Amanda,
That’s a question I had myself at one time. The traditional teaching is that the specialized breathing techniques are to be used as a tool, not to be idealized as the optimal breath for normal waking life, when we are engaged in a variety of activities.
After several years of yoga practice, I discovered that on most days as I transition from sleep to wakefulness and then again as I transition from wakefulness to sleep, my breath is spontaneously takes on the slow, deep rhythm of ujjayi. I relish these moments to do a bit of yoga “off the mat.” It brings to mind what one of my first yoga teachers, Alan Finger, taught me. He used to say, ”If you want to be a yogi, you can’t wake up with coffee and the newspaper.” I’ve learned to utilize the first minutes of my day in deep contemplation. I know ujjayi pranayama enables my step through that door, and it’s an essential part of my day.
Additionally, I utilize a few ujjayi breathes at a time throughout the day to release stresses as they arise. It is very effective in dissipating tension. I use it when I am waiting on line, stuck in traffic, or doing something I find completely mundane. I would personally choose to do hours of ujjayi if I were healing in some way, but that is as far as it goes in my waking hours. I do not recommend more than occasional or momentary uses of ujjayi in normal waking life (outside of yoga practice) although other knowledgeable yogis may have discovered others. The reason is that ujjayi lengthens the brain waves, and most everyday tasks in our culture are best done without that extension. Most of us are not leading monastic lives, so overusing the technique could make one overly ethereal and unable to perform one’s daily work.
It seems a logical place to suggest here, that you may want to explore a variety of pranayama techniques with a qualified teacher. Though they are not often taught viloma, pratiloma, bastrika, are 3 pranayama techniques well worth knowing.
For instruction on ujjayi pranayama, please download this video file:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7504960285051502940&q=yogi+marlon
I hope that answers your question satisfactorily. I wish you all the best with your yoga practice and spiritual exploration.
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
First let me say, I recently started watching your yoga for absolute beginners video. In it you speak of being mindful of our breath. I have tried very hard to focus on my breath during practice, but I sometimes find myself breathing in this way throughout my day. Is it the goal, through much practice, to learn to breath like this in our day-to-day life, or should it be limited to our practice and meditation? Thank you for any advice you may give and I look forward to being able to continue to follow your teachings.
Namaste,
Amanda
Cameron, NC
Hi Amanda,
That’s a question I had myself at one time. The traditional teaching is that the specialized breathing techniques are to be used as a tool, not to be idealized as the optimal breath for normal waking life, when we are engaged in a variety of activities.
After several years of yoga practice, I discovered that on most days as I transition from sleep to wakefulness and then again as I transition from wakefulness to sleep, my breath is spontaneously takes on the slow, deep rhythm of ujjayi. I relish these moments to do a bit of yoga “off the mat.” It brings to mind what one of my first yoga teachers, Alan Finger, taught me. He used to say, ”If you want to be a yogi, you can’t wake up with coffee and the newspaper.” I’ve learned to utilize the first minutes of my day in deep contemplation. I know ujjayi pranayama enables my step through that door, and it’s an essential part of my day.
Additionally, I utilize a few ujjayi breathes at a time throughout the day to release stresses as they arise. It is very effective in dissipating tension. I use it when I am waiting on line, stuck in traffic, or doing something I find completely mundane. I would personally choose to do hours of ujjayi if I were healing in some way, but that is as far as it goes in my waking hours. I do not recommend more than occasional or momentary uses of ujjayi in normal waking life (outside of yoga practice) although other knowledgeable yogis may have discovered others. The reason is that ujjayi lengthens the brain waves, and most everyday tasks in our culture are best done without that extension. Most of us are not leading monastic lives, so overusing the technique could make one overly ethereal and unable to perform one’s daily work.
It seems a logical place to suggest here, that you may want to explore a variety of pranayama techniques with a qualified teacher. Though they are not often taught viloma, pratiloma, bastrika, are 3 pranayama techniques well worth knowing.
For instruction on ujjayi pranayama, please download this video file:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7504960285051502940&q=yogi+marlon
I hope that answers your question satisfactorily. I wish you all the best with your yoga practice and spiritual exploration.
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
Thursday, January 18, 2007
DVD as therapy for Back Pain
Hello
Do you do a yoga dvd for people with bad backs or can you recommend one i need to strenghten my back i have done a bit of yoga but am frightnened to do any at the momment due to my back.
what exercises should i be doing for my back?
thank you
Linda Davies
City: Worcestershire
Country: England
Hi Linda,
I do, in fact, have a DVD specifically for back problems. When I decide what DVD to do next, I look at the current statistics on what’s commonly ailing people. I had found that the percentage of people in America with chronic back problems was alarming. It has a lot to do with how we live today: sitting at a computer, in a car a lot of the time, rarely ever bending over to touch the ground or stretching up to reach for something. In response, I created Yoga for a Healthy Back. After the 2 introduction chapters, there are 3 separate 25-minute chapters of follow-along posture sequences. I created each of the practice segments according to years of training I’ve had on the spine and vertebrae, because for someone with back problems, the postures followed must respect the structural challenges very carefully.
In the first one, I make the assumption the practitioner is in pain, possibly even intense pain. The postures are extremely gentle. Mostly, the goal is to un-wrench the bound muscles. The result after just one session is more range of movement, eased tension of the back muscles and more oxygenation to the system. I recommend people continue to do the first sequence until it is very, very easy for them before moving on to the next one. My directions should be followed very, very precisely to achieve the desired result
After “Relax the Back” is done several times, the practitioner will have more knowledge about which movements present challenges. For instance, if one’s vertebrae are posterior displaced, or pushed outward toward the back, bending forward is most likely the motion that causes pain. If vertebrae are pushed interiorly, it’s the backward motion that most often creates pain. In the second segment, “Strengthen the Back”, the goal is to create the muscular structure to hold the vertebrae in the proper alignment—the place into where one’s chiropractor adjusts the spine.
After the second segment is very easy and creates no sensitiveness, its time to move on to the third segment, that contains vigorous back exercises. Doing this practice will create good posture through erect alignment of the vertebrae, which is a large part of protecting one’s back.
In one of the DVD chapters of Yoga for a Healthy Back, I recommend that people consider the posture their car seat, desk chair, or evening sofa puts them in. Because the fasciae, the mesh netting around the muscles, reshapes after just 11 minutes in a particular position, it is important that one’s back is in alignment in every situation. That may mean having a couch re-stuffed or putting a pillow at the small of your back in the car. Lifestyle habits can either support or detract from the positive effects of a yoga practice designed to give you a healthy back!
If you’d like to purchase this DVD, please click on the link above.
Best of health to you!
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
Do you do a yoga dvd for people with bad backs or can you recommend one i need to strenghten my back i have done a bit of yoga but am frightnened to do any at the momment due to my back.
what exercises should i be doing for my back?
thank you
Linda Davies
City: Worcestershire
Country: England
Hi Linda,
I do, in fact, have a DVD specifically for back problems. When I decide what DVD to do next, I look at the current statistics on what’s commonly ailing people. I had found that the percentage of people in America with chronic back problems was alarming. It has a lot to do with how we live today: sitting at a computer, in a car a lot of the time, rarely ever bending over to touch the ground or stretching up to reach for something. In response, I created Yoga for a Healthy Back. After the 2 introduction chapters, there are 3 separate 25-minute chapters of follow-along posture sequences. I created each of the practice segments according to years of training I’ve had on the spine and vertebrae, because for someone with back problems, the postures followed must respect the structural challenges very carefully.
In the first one, I make the assumption the practitioner is in pain, possibly even intense pain. The postures are extremely gentle. Mostly, the goal is to un-wrench the bound muscles. The result after just one session is more range of movement, eased tension of the back muscles and more oxygenation to the system. I recommend people continue to do the first sequence until it is very, very easy for them before moving on to the next one. My directions should be followed very, very precisely to achieve the desired result
After “Relax the Back” is done several times, the practitioner will have more knowledge about which movements present challenges. For instance, if one’s vertebrae are posterior displaced, or pushed outward toward the back, bending forward is most likely the motion that causes pain. If vertebrae are pushed interiorly, it’s the backward motion that most often creates pain. In the second segment, “Strengthen the Back”, the goal is to create the muscular structure to hold the vertebrae in the proper alignment—the place into where one’s chiropractor adjusts the spine.
After the second segment is very easy and creates no sensitiveness, its time to move on to the third segment, that contains vigorous back exercises. Doing this practice will create good posture through erect alignment of the vertebrae, which is a large part of protecting one’s back.
In one of the DVD chapters of Yoga for a Healthy Back, I recommend that people consider the posture their car seat, desk chair, or evening sofa puts them in. Because the fasciae, the mesh netting around the muscles, reshapes after just 11 minutes in a particular position, it is important that one’s back is in alignment in every situation. That may mean having a couch re-stuffed or putting a pillow at the small of your back in the car. Lifestyle habits can either support or detract from the positive effects of a yoga practice designed to give you a healthy back!
If you’d like to purchase this DVD, please click on the link above.
Best of health to you!
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
Monday, January 15, 2007
For Motor Neurone Disease
Hello Yogi Marlon,
I have Motor Neurone Disease which as you know affects the nerves and wastes the muscles. Which yoga excercises would be benefical for this condition ?
I watched your DVD's published by Daily Mail Newspaper in London and I am now a lifelong fan of yours. You have beauty inside as well outside. I absolutely adore you.
Nat P.
Reading, Berkshire
England, UK
Hi Nat,
Thank you! It seems I am reaching lots of people in the UK because of the distribution of one of my DVDs via UK newspapers. So much so that I am just starting to look into teaching some workshops in the UK in the spring.
In regard to your question. I'm afraid I'm not at all familiar with your illness, so I really cannot recommend specific postures for that. I'm very sorry. I wish I could do more in medical terms. What I can tell you is that yoga directly effects the nadis, which is an energetic network that mirrors the physical network of the nerves. I can only figure here, not diagnose, but I would think if you get more energy to the nerves, you are set in the right direction. Most any yoga practice is good for that, but it has been said the best posture for the overall posture is shoulder stand. I demonstrate this on several of my DVDs. Are you familiar with this posture?
Additionally, pranayama practices are generally more subtle in nature than postures, so their effect on the nadis is more profound. Recommending many of the more elaborate pranayama practices is strictly for an in-person teacher-student lesson. There are so many variables. One that I do suggest for the general public and teach on DVD is alternate nostril breathing. It is on several of the DVDs, including Yoga For Couch Potatoes. Although it is relatively safe for all, it is nonetheless a very powerful and profound practice. Please search the DVD you have for it. If not found, you can always order a DVD on line. I'm shipping more and more to the UK!
I wish you the best of health and hold the vision of your condition healed.
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
I have Motor Neurone Disease which as you know affects the nerves and wastes the muscles. Which yoga excercises would be benefical for this condition ?
I watched your DVD's published by Daily Mail Newspaper in London and I am now a lifelong fan of yours. You have beauty inside as well outside. I absolutely adore you.
Nat P.
Reading, Berkshire
England, UK
Hi Nat,
Thank you! It seems I am reaching lots of people in the UK because of the distribution of one of my DVDs via UK newspapers. So much so that I am just starting to look into teaching some workshops in the UK in the spring.
In regard to your question. I'm afraid I'm not at all familiar with your illness, so I really cannot recommend specific postures for that. I'm very sorry. I wish I could do more in medical terms. What I can tell you is that yoga directly effects the nadis, which is an energetic network that mirrors the physical network of the nerves. I can only figure here, not diagnose, but I would think if you get more energy to the nerves, you are set in the right direction. Most any yoga practice is good for that, but it has been said the best posture for the overall posture is shoulder stand. I demonstrate this on several of my DVDs. Are you familiar with this posture?
Additionally, pranayama practices are generally more subtle in nature than postures, so their effect on the nadis is more profound. Recommending many of the more elaborate pranayama practices is strictly for an in-person teacher-student lesson. There are so many variables. One that I do suggest for the general public and teach on DVD is alternate nostril breathing. It is on several of the DVDs, including Yoga For Couch Potatoes. Although it is relatively safe for all, it is nonetheless a very powerful and profound practice. Please search the DVD you have for it. If not found, you can always order a DVD on line. I'm shipping more and more to the UK!
I wish you the best of health and hold the vision of your condition healed.
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
Monday, January 08, 2007
Details for Abhyanga
Dear Marlon!
Looking at your skin how beautyful it is makes me want to try abhyanga massage,but I am not sure how to do
the face part - do you put oil around your eyes and eyelids? Do you use hot water and cleanser to
wash the oil off your face? Do you moisturize after that?
I always fallow your advice. You're an amazing example for a young woman living in small country -
23,Croatia.
I was just wondering - why is abhyanga pre-bath massage? Why isn't after-bath massage with warm oil
just as good? Can you explain it?
Thank you for everything, I wish you everything you wish for yourself; peace and beauty in you and
around you, nd a magical new year.
Mera
Hello Mera in Croatia,
Many thanks for your well wishes and compliments. I'm very happy to hear you are following some of the guidelines I set for myself.
Let me tell you a little bit about abhyanga to clarify. Like all things yogic, the purpose of doing a particular practice has much deeper effects than the obvious one. Abhyanga is done not for the quality of the skin, but for the nurturing effects it has on the entire organism--you! Smooth and lovely skin is a mere fringe benefit, but I must confess, it is one I enjoy, too.
One of the first of the deeper effects you will experience from the practice of abhyanga is experiencing more groundedness. The entire nervous system is soothed, so being physically steady, experiencing mental clarity, being calm and lucid, and generally in a sattvic state (one of centeredness and openess akin to spirituality) soon become one's general condition.
After sustained practice of abhyanga, the change in overall energy penetrates all 7 layers of tissue, called dhatus by ayurvedics. The progression is described in detail on my site here: http://askyogimarlon.com/abhyanga.html
As far as you question about doing abhyanga on the face, I certainly do. I try to be careful not to get the oil in my eyes, but I do come as close as possible. I do not wash it off with soap, so it has time to saturate in as much as possible. If I need to put foundation on, I wipe as much off as I can with a dry towel.
To answer your last question--Abhyanga is done before or during bathing because the heat of the shower opens the pores and allows the oil to penetrate further into the dermas. If you do it after like most moisturizing, its only a cosmetic treatment. The oil remains only on top of your skin and the benefits for which traditional ayurveda strives, are not reaped.
For all my readers, please do let me know if abhyanga is working for you. Are you experiencing tranquility, and not just smooth skin?
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
Looking at your skin how beautyful it is makes me want to try abhyanga massage,but I am not sure how to do
the face part - do you put oil around your eyes and eyelids? Do you use hot water and cleanser to
wash the oil off your face? Do you moisturize after that?
I always fallow your advice. You're an amazing example for a young woman living in small country -
23,Croatia.
I was just wondering - why is abhyanga pre-bath massage? Why isn't after-bath massage with warm oil
just as good? Can you explain it?
Thank you for everything, I wish you everything you wish for yourself; peace and beauty in you and
around you, nd a magical new year.
Mera
Hello Mera in Croatia,
Many thanks for your well wishes and compliments. I'm very happy to hear you are following some of the guidelines I set for myself.
Let me tell you a little bit about abhyanga to clarify. Like all things yogic, the purpose of doing a particular practice has much deeper effects than the obvious one. Abhyanga is done not for the quality of the skin, but for the nurturing effects it has on the entire organism--you! Smooth and lovely skin is a mere fringe benefit, but I must confess, it is one I enjoy, too.
One of the first of the deeper effects you will experience from the practice of abhyanga is experiencing more groundedness. The entire nervous system is soothed, so being physically steady, experiencing mental clarity, being calm and lucid, and generally in a sattvic state (one of centeredness and openess akin to spirituality) soon become one's general condition.
After sustained practice of abhyanga, the change in overall energy penetrates all 7 layers of tissue, called dhatus by ayurvedics. The progression is described in detail on my site here: http://askyogimarlon.com/abhyanga.html
As far as you question about doing abhyanga on the face, I certainly do. I try to be careful not to get the oil in my eyes, but I do come as close as possible. I do not wash it off with soap, so it has time to saturate in as much as possible. If I need to put foundation on, I wipe as much off as I can with a dry towel.
To answer your last question--Abhyanga is done before or during bathing because the heat of the shower opens the pores and allows the oil to penetrate further into the dermas. If you do it after like most moisturizing, its only a cosmetic treatment. The oil remains only on top of your skin and the benefits for which traditional ayurveda strives, are not reaped.
For all my readers, please do let me know if abhyanga is working for you. Are you experiencing tranquility, and not just smooth skin?
Om Shanti,
Yogi Marlon
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