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From our Teachers: Yoga Chikitsa by Maura Tibbs

Maura Tibbs Yoga Garden instructor
Maura Tibbs

This is the first of a series of contributions from our instructors.  In Yoga Chikitsa, Ashtanga and Vinyasa yoga instructor Maura Tibbs share her journey to Ashtanga yoga and what the practice means to her today.

Yoga Chikitsa by Maura Tibbs

The first style of yoga that I was introduced to was Power Yoga, I was 14 at the time. I consider myself blessed to have discovered yoga in high school, at a time when body-image becomes distorted and insecurity flourishes. Yoga made me feel strong, focused and, most importantly, whole.

Practicing, even just once a week, made such a difference in how I treated my body and how I viewed myself. For years I continued to practice various styles of yoga, but did not find a consistent practice. I was introduced to Ashtanga after years of practicing Vinyasa yoga throughout college. My practice was still inconsistent until I finally discovered the benefits of concentrating on the breath; then my relationship to yoga changed. After years of yoga being my source of exercise, it became my source of energy. The word that best describes what I found is “Prana,” which translates to “life force.” Practicing Vinyasa made me feel more aware of what my body was feeling, and my emotions as well.

I began practicing at an Ashtanga studio, but only taking the Vinyasa classes that were offered. I was terrified of practicing Ashtanga because the series was intimidating and physically challenging, but I was very drawn to the idea of a setting where the main focus is on breath and individual practice. The fact that one of the teachers was in his sixties and still practicing gave me hope, plus he was very encouraging.

For years, I have suffered from pain and occasional muscle spasms in my back. I was born with mild Spina Bifida. I am prone to lower back issues, because my Spina Bifida is right above my sacrum. With my back being a source of vulnerability for me in my practice, I was fortunate to find such compassionate and knowledgeable teachers to study with, Gary and Melissa Margolin: previous assistants to two of the most influential Ashtanga teachers in the U.S.; Chuck Miller and Maty Ezraty.

I studied with Melissa and Gary in Mysore class, (Mysore is a way to practice the Ashtanga vinyasa in a group setting, with individual attention).  Both Melissa and Gary teach and practice Ashtanga with emphasis on alignment, therapeutics and, most importantly, with insight. The Mysore environment immediately felt like home. It is where I saw true physical therapy being practiced, and where I felt safe to practice despite any injury I was feeling. I always left class feeling better than I had entered, and feeling like I was standing taller.

With my introduction to Ashtanga, my practice changed drastically. I had thought that Ashtanga was about wrapping your leg behind your head, and walking on your hands… but it is much more versatile. My yoga practice became therapeutic. Each posture was tailored to fit my body by my teachers. Although at times I practice what looks like a different posture in the series, it is with the same energetics and working the same parts of the body.

After eight years of practicing yoga it was in my first Mysore class that I finally felt what it was like to complete a backbend. Sure, I had done Urdhva Dhanurasana hundreds of times, but I finally felt what the pose was about through my teacher’s individual guidance. What I find most beautiful about the Ashtanga Primary Series, or Yoga Chikitsa, (which translates to Yoga Therapy), is that all of the postures can be modified for the individual. Therefore, the practice is accessible to anyone. Each posture is designed to correct certain bodily issues, such as structural alignment or cleansing/purification. Because the emphasis is on breathing in a posture, the spine must never be misaligned. During my teacher training I was able to assist and observe Melissa teach. Her room included the most eclectic and diverse range of students, from competitive athletes to limited seniors. Both Melissa and Gary instructed me on how to practice and teach Ashtanga with emphasis on alignment, but, most importantly, with insight. Practicing Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga helps me resonate with my true-nature. I am lucky to have the pleasure of witnessing and assisting others connect with their practice the same way that I have.

ed.  Maura currently teaches the Power Hour Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon and Vinyasa 1-2 on Sundays at 11:00 am.