the long pattern
sitting on the porch last night with my dear friend and neighbor kim, we were talking about yoga and different levels of repetition and variation. she mentioned that she had this one yoga instructor who's class, tone of voice, and instruction rarely, if ever, changed. and she said that she recognizes that you cannot hold people to this unchanging standard - in yoga or in life. and that maybe it is best to just say "do whatever you want." but then, you could do that at home, no?
the words "long pattern" popped into my head - making me think of the balance between repetition and variation. structure and freedom. obviously if someone is coming to a yoga class, they want to be there, and they are looking for instruction. and some people would easily benefit from lots of structure, others from a free flow.
this discussion hit on a point within myself - i need structure, but i yearn to break free from it. it is like i need a long pattern. structure in there somewhere - something to count on - but lots of room to move and explore within that structure or those "limitations." (quotes because i happen to think that limitations can be a blessing in a lot of cases - but that is my saturnine nature showing.)
these drives are often at odds within me. i strive to balance them. to find the long pattern for my own life.
This entry was posted on Monday, July 21st, 2008 at 12:23 pm and is filed under Open dialog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
SO glad you have felt like getting back to your writing...last week was definitely a break-through time for you. I want to contribute this: all humans like some structure, if begrudgingly so; enough structure to allow us to esperiment somewhat. children want it and need it the most. they want to have structure and continuity but with enough freedom to explore within the limits we give give them. xoxo.. mom
July 24th, 2008 at 10:20 am
beautifully written...i TOLD you that was a blog. Michael is training me well! haha
July 25th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
In the field of design I work in, the most difficult project is the one that you would assume to be the most fun and rewarding...when a client comes to you and says "do whatever you want to do." This gives me practically nothing to work from, no point of reference, no inspiration, no goals. We all think we are free, exercising liberty and free will. But really we are all just bouncing off each other. No matter how free we think we are, everything is restricted or limited. The choice is to see those limits as a curse or a blessing. To make the points of impact a conflict or allow it to be a steering mechanism. That's the choice we have. Sounds like you're getting pretty good behind the wheel.
I think about the heartbeat, that subtly shifting but never-changing rhythm, the best example of repetition, structure and consistency that sustains us. And put that on a dance floor and we can't help but move in a sense of total uninhibited freedom. How harmonious is that symbiotic relationship. That's one hell of a long pattern.
Nice post.
July 26th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Yes, I agree, and I think that is why I teach the way I do.
My classes are very well thought out, and have a lot of structure, but there is an enormous amount of creativity and freedom behind each practice/class. A lot of the time those taking my class don't always know where I am going to take them. I ask them to trust me, to trust them selves, and step out of the comfort of their own thoughts, and limitations.
These are things I need to learn.
Yoga, which goes way beyond asana (poses), has to evolve with the times, Everything must grow or die. We tap into the roots for wisdom, and we expand into new territory. We are always making or breaking patterns. I just think we need to be conscious of what and when we are doing this.
There can be a lot of freedom with in structure. It just has to have flexibility. Your mom is right, children want it and need it the most, but in essence we are all children, and don't really have a clue, we only think we do.
We go elsewhere for inspiration, and hopefully bring it back home to try something new.
July 28th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
wow, i think i will get a little more philosophical on here more often. a few days later, and after reading responses here, i have come to something of a conclusion. actually, perhaps a remembrance - since this is something i think we all know deep down - that rhythm, that structure, is within. we just have to listen to it.
August 9th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Nathan Mcmann told me to contact you regaurding Solstice and Infinite Heights. Both are on myspace music. I lay tracks on v-drums with live incorperated acoustic drums. John composed alot of the music along with Khari Wynn. I co write with them. I wrote the first track that plays on solstice. I can be reached by phone at 901 335 9554. Thanks and keep on groovin
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:08 am
I am from Jersey and have been listening, loving, living, and dancing to House for nearly 30 years. I was excited to meet some local dj's at the dish during Cooper Young Festival. I and inquiring as to where and when do you spin? I would love to come out and dance to your music.
Peace and Blessings