I am so gonna Drop-back!

Is drop- back in the ashtanga practice... really that scary at all? Yes, its just too intimidating.
I've seen how some student tugged their fear away, whipping off for a next appointment with dropping-back.
Some student asked me how did i get my drop- back, and thinking that i am already that flexible in nature; convincing themselves that this practice is not suitable for their body.

I was like that too...
After sweating all out in inferno, finally coming to the drop- back; always that gush mixture of fear and excitement of wanting to stop using the wall! But at that very last moment before my very first finger was reaching the ground from behind, i sprung back to stand. Disappointment! Angry!

Lying down on flat on the mat dejected, turned my head, watching how gracefully the person next to me was doing her dropping- back flow. Oh... so nice, i wish i could do that. Why can't i do that?!

So how did i ever get into dropping- back today? That anger ( or maybe we call it tapas) to call an end to my relationship with the wall. I fell on my back many times; sometimes even to roll on my face flat and landed on my knees and broken a vase. With each fall, i came back up stronger. The harder the fall, the bigger the lesson. One quiet morning, i celebrated dropping-back with joy.

How did dropping-back come about to me? That burning flame of desire of not hiding behind fear.
And yes, practice... with intensity.

Teachers from memories. Lessons forever.

Just few days after my previous post on " One Guru. Many Teachers.", i received a notice " Sec 4G Siglap Sec 2003 to be part of the group--- later to know that one of our classmates is trying to gather everyone back as a class.... after a good 9 years; all thanks to Facebook!

Here, i would like to share how my high school teachers made drastic changes in my life, seriously.

I love to go to school, but not studying. I like to be with my friends, just attending classes and long hours of band practices till late. School is a playground:)

Mrs Rajan, is one teacher that i can never ever forget, never! Her name is widely spread in the school, still i guess. Just to mention her name would probably send shiver down the spine to some of my classmates.

Our form- teacher and English teacher; and that explains for her incredibly sharp tongue--- never fail to handle all those talk- backs from the naughty ones. Loud, clear and sharp voice... that would screech right to the back of the class.

I like her scrutinizing and explaining each sentence and difficult words in great detail; and making us crack our own brain.

Crime: Incomplete homework

Punishment options: Star jumps, duck-walking, no- recess break, staying back after class.

She taught me DISCIPLINE & FOCUS.

" I tell youuuuu!"

Miss Doris Yong, another teacher that left a very deep impression in me. My first impression was that, her name and her actual person---- mismatch! 

Super fierce, she would march down the corridor like a commando, enter the class and put down those big stacks of books on the table with a " BooM!". 

And to know that, Miss Yong and Mrs Rajan were sitting next to each other in the office--- partners in crime, am just kidding!

Miss Yong teaches Maths, and she teaches very well. I was very poor in maths, and i am still... been having a hard time coping with the formulas and numbers. I thought, would there ever be somebody who could save me from those muddy brain of mine-- yes, Miss Yong:)

She would stay till late evening with us for night- study; her strictness and patience made me work harder. 

Ah! she recommended Red Bull during exams time ( i didn't try that though). I told myself that i must Must MUST score well for Maths, just for her ( and i did!).

She showed me how to confront my fear for numbers with enjoyment of solving problems. 

Crime: Incomplete homework, absent-mindedness

Punishment: Ear Flicking Treatment exclusively by Doris Yong ( that was really painful!--- 1st you feel the numbness, 2nd the pain, 3rd the tingling effect stays on....)

She taught me PATIENCE & PRACTICE.

I soon to realize that i prefer fierce and strict teachers; because i am lazy, ha! 

Their strictness reflects their pride for what they are doing; and i salute to this attitude. 

Once a person told me this: A nice teacher may not be good, a good teacher may not be nice. 

I prefer the latter. 

Don't mind all those rough patches, tripped & fallen over hurdles, punishments and hard lessons... so long that i learnt and grow, under a good intention. 

" No pressure, no diamonds"

~ Thomas Carlyle

One guru. Many teachers.

My teacher once pointed out to me that there's only one guru, the one that stays inside you.
So, stop looking for one.
I've seen people traveling around for classes and learning from many teachers, and hope to meet their guru. Many likes to travel to India to seek guidance, enlightenment from a potential guru.
But wait a minute, who says that a guru must be staying in India???

Its very easy to see others but not ourselves. In order to meet the guru inside, we do need an external guru to light up the path. Seeking comes with expectation, and a seeker never find. Let nature take its course.

Meanwhile, appreciate the teachers around us. When i mentioned "teacher", i do not mean any particular yoga teachers, or certified school teachers. I refer to anyone that we met, who'd crossed or crossing our path; is there to teach us something. Friends, family, colleague or even the strangers we met on the street today. 

We meet many teachers along the way, like how  we're a teacher to others too. Different teachers tell the same story in many different ways. But at the end of the day, there will be one particular person, that we go to.  

Some people ask, how do you know that person is your guru. 

Don't know, i just know. 

Perhaps the one that show me how to unlock the gate to home.