I was lucky to be able to spend the weekend on a workshop with John Friend in Brisbane. He is on a world tour which he has called ‘Dancing with the Divine’. The weekend started off with a group of Aboriginal dancers. John pointed out that aborigines are the oldest group of people known to mankind in this area of humans. We often look upon aborigines and other tribal people as being unsophisticated, primitive and underdeveloped, but John explained by giving examples of his experience with aboriginals that they are in fact more spiritually advanced, more sensitive and in tune with nature than us westerners are. Especially than the ones of us who are living in big cities with little or no contact with nature. John’s view is that through yoga we are able to get in tune with nature, the Divine. If we become more sensitive and more aware we will be able to notice the natural rhythms and align ourselves with nature. Listening to the birds, seeing beyond peoples outer appearances and noticing the difference in light during the day was some of the ways that John were making us more aware of how we can use our senses to expand and align ourselves. Often we perceive ourselves as being separate to nature, but to actually experience and feel that we are part of nature makes a shift in our consciousness and we will be able to handle life in a much more balanced and enjoyable way. The wider and further we open our awareness the vaster and deeper we become. The Divine is within everything, the river, the rock, the sky and within us... We are all One, so instead of resisting, we should join the Divine dance of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (energy).
John talks a lot about opening the heart, which is beautiful. In the asanas this is done by softening the back between the shoulder blades and leading with the heart. When for example one goes from a pigeon pose where you sit upright to the lying flat on the floor version of the pose one don’t stretch forward with the arms, but one melts to the ground with the heart, softening the middle of the upper back and then after one have opened and softened the heart to the floor then the arms and elbows follows. This focus on the heart area throughout the practice certainly is beautiful and creates a feeling of openness and love, and I had a feeling that I kept bowing and surrendering. Beautiful!
John’s focus was on Joy and on being happy and open. He stressed the importance of intention and feeling rather than flexibility. His focus was less on alignment and technicality, but more on the heart!
On Sunday it was Mothers day in Australia. The feminine aspect became the theme for the day. There was lots of lovely words and wisdom around the female aspects of nature and about the motherly nature in particular. To be able to open up, to feel more love and compassion we have to connect to this feminine aspect of our being. We have to dare to cultivate it and to awaken it within. John believes that this is the reason for why there are so few men in yoga. They believe that opening to this feminine aspect will reduce their power as men, while in fact it will actually make them stronger. Mothers are so strong and durable as they are working for others than themselves. This gives them power, and we can tap into that energy by having an intention of acting on behalf of some higher power, not purely for our own self.
Some people say that John enables to get them into postures that previously have been impossible for them to do. I couldn’t believe I was able to get into King Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana), with the help from Helen that is, but it felt great!
I had a great weekend with John. I must mention though that I did find it a bit too American with all the clapping and whistling after having performed a pose, but no complaints. All in all, a very nice experience!!
Anusara uses this mantra before every class. We were given it along with the translation:
Anusara uses this mantra before every class. We were given it along with the translation:
OM
Namah Shivaya Gurave
I offer myself to the Light, the Auspicious Lord,
who is the True Teacher within and without
Saccidananda Murtaye
Who assumes the forms of Reality, Consciousness and Bliss
Nisprapancaya Shantaya
Who is never absent and is full of peace
Niralambaya Tejase
Independent in Existence, and Is the vital essence of Illumination
OM
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