New Zealand Yoga Trip
One month with John & Lucy Scott
Stillpoint Yoga, Upper Mountere, Nelson, NZ.
Travelling Preparation
I had almost one month to prepare every thing for NZ trip. The main problem for this trip is money. Based on the currency exchange between NZ dollar and Thai baht which is 1 NZ$ = 23.30 THB. That means every thing in NZ is very expensive for me. I need a very good management about my budget during stay in NZ. Stillpoint will provide the lunch for student during Monday to Friday. So I prepared dry food such as instant noodle, porridge and soup and told myself that Duangta you need to make up your mind now because you will have noodle or porridge for your dinner for one month. I tried to get the necessary stuff as much as I can from Thailand for less buying in NZ.
From Bangkok I had to fly about 11.30 hours to Auckland (AKL) and then take one and a half hours to fly from AKL to Nelson (NLS) and need to stay over night in AKL 2 nights before fly to NLS.
I had almost one month to prepare every thing for NZ trip. The main problem for this trip is money. Based on the currency exchange between NZ dollar and Thai baht which is 1 NZ$ = 23.30 THB. That means every thing in NZ is very expensive for me. I need a very good management about my budget during stay in NZ. Stillpoint will provide the lunch for student during Monday to Friday. So I prepared dry food such as instant noodle, porridge and soup and told myself that Duangta you need to make up your mind now because you will have noodle or porridge for your dinner for one month. I tried to get the necessary stuff as much as I can from Thailand for less buying in NZ.
From Bangkok I had to fly about 11.30 hours to Auckland (AKL) and then take one and a half hours to fly from AKL to Nelson (NLS) and need to stay over night in AKL 2 nights before fly to NLS.
5 March 2010, arrived Auckland at 1.30 pm.
I was very appreciating for the help from Iris (Fine-Yoga Ashtanga TTC student in Jan. 10) who sent her friend to pick me up from the airport and arrange the accommodation for me. Iris’s friend showed me around AKL and introduces me to the Thai people who run a Thai restaurant business over there. Jenny, my student in BJ, invited me for a very lovely lunch at Cornwell Park on next day and showed me around the city again. Thanks very much Jenny and Iris. Two nights in AKL, I could not sleep well because of jet lag….hopefully my body would be better and fresher when I arrive Stillpoint.
I was very appreciating for the help from Iris (Fine-Yoga Ashtanga TTC student in Jan. 10) who sent her friend to pick me up from the airport and arrange the accommodation for me. Iris’s friend showed me around AKL and introduces me to the Thai people who run a Thai restaurant business over there. Jenny, my student in BJ, invited me for a very lovely lunch at Cornwell Park on next day and showed me around the city again. Thanks very much Jenny and Iris. Two nights in AKL, I could not sleep well because of jet lag….hopefully my body would be better and fresher when I arrive Stillpoint.
Scenery on the way to Stillpoint
7 March 2010, arrived Stillpoint at 2.00 pm.
My first friend who met in Stillpoint is Jodie, lovely girl from UK. She was also my roommate during stay in Stillpoint. The first dinner in Stillpoint was provided by John & Lucy. It’s like welcome dinner and we had a small meeting between the students, introduce themselves to each other. John & Lucy notified the student about the regulation and schedule during stay in Stillpoint. There are 12 students; 4 from UK, 2 from AUS, 2 from HK, 1 from Vienna, 1 from US, 1 from NZ and 1 from Thailand.
My first friend who met in Stillpoint is Jodie, lovely girl from UK. She was also my roommate during stay in Stillpoint. The first dinner in Stillpoint was provided by John & Lucy. It’s like welcome dinner and we had a small meeting between the students, introduce themselves to each other. John & Lucy notified the student about the regulation and schedule during stay in Stillpoint. There are 12 students; 4 from UK, 2 from AUS, 2 from HK, 1 from Vienna, 1 from US, 1 from NZ and 1 from Thailand.
Different morning different feeling but still keep practicing & counting at Stillpoint
Every early morning at 5.30 am, there would be 3 students who had to join the morning self practice with John. The self practice class for the rest of students would be started at 8.00 am. In this class, John and Lucy would guide and adjust for each asana. The 3 students who finished practice at 5.30 am would join the class as observer; observed and assisted John and Lucy. We called these 3 students as “yogis”. Besides practice with John in early morning, observe and assiste John & Lucy in 8.00 am class, they had to do “karma yoga” as well. That means they had to be responsible for all chores in the shala such as light the fire in early morning if necessary, clean the shala after the class, clean the kitchen, set the table for lunch, wash the dish and empty garbage bin.
1st week; My practice during the period “period asanas”
My first week practice at stillpoint was the “asanas for the period”. I got the period on the first day practice. So Lucy set me for many asanas which should be done during the period. The principle is no ashtanga vinyasa for the first 3 days of the period. During these 3 days, the practitioner should do the asana for more stretch and open the joints such as Baddha Konasana, Veerasana, Kurmasana, Frog on the log, Upavistrakonasana....
Lucy set me to all asana mentioned above at least 8 or 10 minutes for each asana. It was my great experience which I could have the feeling of stretch, pull and relax of different muscle & joint in different asana. Lucy said it was also the way to improve our awareness. And…..I….. love….. it.
My first week practice at stillpoint was the “asanas for the period”. I got the period on the first day practice. So Lucy set me for many asanas which should be done during the period. The principle is no ashtanga vinyasa for the first 3 days of the period. During these 3 days, the practitioner should do the asana for more stretch and open the joints such as Baddha Konasana, Veerasana, Kurmasana, Frog on the log, Upavistrakonasana....
Lucy set me to all asana mentioned above at least 8 or 10 minutes for each asana. It was my great experience which I could have the feeling of stretch, pull and relax of different muscle & joint in different asana. Lucy said it was also the way to improve our awareness. And…..I….. love….. it.
2nd week; strong adjustment, strong awareness
In this week, we learnt more about teaching skills, techniques and counting. The 3 yogis had to lead the class with counting method at 8.00 am. John and Lucy more focused on adjustment for each person. Lucy adjusted me for Pachimatthanasana!!!! Yes, Pachimatthanasana….very strong adjustment…she made me feel about the core of the body which needs to be pulled and stretch …. Normally, we just said “keep your back straight or lengthen your spine” Now, from Lucy’s adjustment….I knew the real meaning of “lengthen the spine”. Besides Pachimatthanasana, I also got the adjustment for Marichyasana C and D…..again….very strong and full awareness of “the core”.
Every time when I learnt about adjustment, it made me think of my class and my student in Beijing. The class reflected me my student’s problem for each asana and I felt so glad that I can help them more when I came back to Beijing.
In this week, we learnt more about teaching skills, techniques and counting. The 3 yogis had to lead the class with counting method at 8.00 am. John and Lucy more focused on adjustment for each person. Lucy adjusted me for Pachimatthanasana!!!! Yes, Pachimatthanasana….very strong adjustment…she made me feel about the core of the body which needs to be pulled and stretch …. Normally, we just said “keep your back straight or lengthen your spine” Now, from Lucy’s adjustment….I knew the real meaning of “lengthen the spine”. Besides Pachimatthanasana, I also got the adjustment for Marichyasana C and D…..again….very strong and full awareness of “the core”.
Every time when I learnt about adjustment, it made me think of my class and my student in Beijing. The class reflected me my student’s problem for each asana and I felt so glad that I can help them more when I came back to Beijing.
3rd week; more intensive lead class; hand stand with John and Lucy
During the 3rd week, the practice was more intensive and more focus on counting. The 3 yogis had to lead the class with full counting system, more explanation and adjustment. We had to work very hard to prepare the class. Everyone needs to lead the class well. Some of my friends could not sleep well on the night before the class…some one dreamed about the counting and the asana name.
John showed me the proper way to practice hand stand and when I practiced on my own with the wall....Lucy came to me and said “ Duangta you need not to use the wall…come off the wall and learn how to fall down from hand stand” Then she showed me the safety fall down….. It’s the one more great experience on this trip and it will be one more thing for my student as well. And again, from the hand stand by John guide I can feel more about the core strength during in the asana.
During the 3rd week, the practice was more intensive and more focus on counting. The 3 yogis had to lead the class with full counting system, more explanation and adjustment. We had to work very hard to prepare the class. Everyone needs to lead the class well. Some of my friends could not sleep well on the night before the class…some one dreamed about the counting and the asana name.
John showed me the proper way to practice hand stand and when I practiced on my own with the wall....Lucy came to me and said “ Duangta you need not to use the wall…come off the wall and learn how to fall down from hand stand” Then she showed me the safety fall down….. It’s the one more great experience on this trip and it will be one more thing for my student as well. And again, from the hand stand by John guide I can feel more about the core strength during in the asana.
4th week; the time fly with very intensive practice
This week we practiced 2 times a day. John and Lucy reviewed all of adjustment for us again. We had examination about everything which learnt in Stillpoint….asana, technique, skill of teaching and philosophy.
During these 4 weeks, Practice and study with John, not only the outer yoga (asanas)….John also focused on the inner yoga…practice about the mind, the breath and all of 8 limbs of ashtanga yoga. John really wants us to learn and understand what the real yoga is. And he tried to plant the seed of yoga in the mind of his student……I love the class….love the way that he run the class.
This week we practiced 2 times a day. John and Lucy reviewed all of adjustment for us again. We had examination about everything which learnt in Stillpoint….asana, technique, skill of teaching and philosophy.
During these 4 weeks, Practice and study with John, not only the outer yoga (asanas)….John also focused on the inner yoga…practice about the mind, the breath and all of 8 limbs of ashtanga yoga. John really wants us to learn and understand what the real yoga is. And he tried to plant the seed of yoga in the mind of his student……I love the class….love the way that he run the class.
Now I’m already come back to Beijing….review every thing that I learnt from stillpoint. There are many things which I can use for my class. I also want to teach my student more about philosophy…… the inner yoga, let them know and understand the real yoga….not only asana……same as I was taught by John Scott.
Today (24 Apr) I start my practice again after stopped for about 2 weeks. During my practice I felt different from before…I felt I got improvement….but it not the asana….the improvement which I felt this time is the awareness…..is the thing from my mind….the thing from my inner practice. I can felt that my mind, my awareness my breathing and bandhas all come together….it’s the one thing…..I felt very comfortable in all asana …. Sthira Sukhum Asanam…… Asana must be done with the comfortable feeling. (Patanjali ‘s Yoga Sutra) And this morning I though I got it.
I really appreciate and want to say thank you to Sherri Rao of Fine-Yoga for supporting and sending me to Stillpoint to practice with John and Lucy for one month. It’s my great yoga experience. It’s my great and wonderful time to practice with them in the beautiful and peaceful place as Stillpoint….. THANK YOU…..
Today (24 Apr) I start my practice again after stopped for about 2 weeks. During my practice I felt different from before…I felt I got improvement….but it not the asana….the improvement which I felt this time is the awareness…..is the thing from my mind….the thing from my inner practice. I can felt that my mind, my awareness my breathing and bandhas all come together….it’s the one thing…..I felt very comfortable in all asana …. Sthira Sukhum Asanam…… Asana must be done with the comfortable feeling. (Patanjali ‘s Yoga Sutra) And this morning I though I got it.
I really appreciate and want to say thank you to Sherri Rao of Fine-Yoga for supporting and sending me to Stillpoint to practice with John and Lucy for one month. It’s my great yoga experience. It’s my great and wonderful time to practice with them in the beautiful and peaceful place as Stillpoint….. THANK YOU…..