It was an accident that I attended Chidananda’s class on that day, it was also true that I had no interest in Ashtanga at that time, but what happened later on was, Chidananda, this amazing teacher, he made me change my mind just after the first class. Moreover, after the whole session of the course, I promised myself that I shall go back to Mysore, and visit Sachidananda Ashtanga Yoga Shala to learn with Chidananda for further practice again. He lives a yogic life: First of all, you might be touched by his chanting! Well he does have a beautiful voice, but what vitalizes his chanting is the devotion and sincerity behind his voice. From him, you just see the full commitment to Yoga: as a master, a practitioner and a good human being! Be disciplined and patient towards our practice: Chidananda follows traditional Ashtanga rules strictly. One rule is: you are not supposed to enter the next series without properly accomplishing the present series you are practicing with( including doing all the vinyasa with correct breaths), because he believes that only when one is able to master the present level, can one be strong, flexible and balanced enough to go to the next level. Thus we need to be patient, patient with our practice, patient with our body to get ready for the next level in a unified way. Be disciplined and patient, it’s the attitude that Chidananda wants students to learn from their practice. If you are willing to put sincere efforts into practice, he will put even much more efforts to help you: Whatever difficulties students may encounter, Chidananda is ready to help and support all the time; no matter the student is a beginner or an advanced practitioner, he treats everyone patiently and nicely, and never hesitates to solve the problem. If the problem related to mental weakness, he will keep talking and encouraging until you establish enough mind strength; otherwise, if it is in physical aspect, then he is going to assign all kinds of exercises to strengthen your body. Believe me, that will be a struggling process, however, don’t worry, he’s always got your back. The power of Chidananda’s hands-on adjustment: I’ve heard from many students that his adjustment is incredibly amazing. In my case, I can’t agree with them more. His hands seem to carry with a certain calming power, when I was adjusted and pushed out of my comfort zones, his steady hands soothed my anxiety and uneasiness, and at the same time, his audible Ujjayi breathing ensured that my awareness of breathing was not disturbed by his adjustment. Chidananda does have really good sense towards different bodies and he makes accurate adjustment accordingly in a very short time. He observes every slight reaction on the body and then subtly modifies his adjustment. Over all, his adjustment is not only about alignment, but meanwhile it gives students insights into the capabilities and limitations of their bodies. — I really don’t want to speak out how good my master is, because I don’t like to see him become too famous one day. Then maybe at that time I will need to sit in front of my computer at midnight just in order to get a seat in his class… Even so, the truth speaks for itself: my master, Chidananda, he is respectable as a master and as a person. To see is to believe.
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