David Roche

I had been particularly concerned in the weeks leading up to the workshop that we might not get the numbers of participants to justify bringing David all the way to Newry, for a series of guided Ashtanga workshops. In the end David helped me to understand that in the business of yoga trust plays a really import part in the journey and any fears that I might have had were only that - "fears".

I believe that everyone who rose to the challenge of 5 or 6 workshops, not only derived an enormous amount of insight and understanding from the workshops, but at the end of the week began to believe the dictum of David's beloved Guru, Shri Patabhi Jois - "practise, practise, all is coming".

So we continue to practise in the hope that David will return again next year.

The Ashtanga Journey

There are so many stages of progress in Ashtanga yoga. No two persons will pass through these in the same manner or at the same time, and yet, there are refinements to the practiceof Ashtanga yoga which can be made in the context of group inquiry and it is always helpful to re-visit the more elemental aspects of our yoga practice, no matter the form. By spending time in refining these elements, we can come to a more profound understanding of our own practice and yoga in a broader context.

The use of references to and experiences from other forms of yoga or psycho-physical disciplines can often open our perspective and bring clarity of form as well as ease and pleasure of breath and movement.

One beautiful aspect of the Ashtanga yoga practice is the fact that the same series of movements are repeated for each level of practice. One of the difficulties is that when practised without awareness, it is easy to fall into the habit of routine execution as well as acquisitiveness - the desire always to be working ahead of one’s abilities and impatient for the next posture.

Closing Mantra of Ashtanga Yoga

Svasti praja bhyaha pari pala yantam

Nya yena margena mahi mahishaha

Go brahmanebhyaha shubamastu nityam

Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu

may all be well with Mankind.

may the leaders of the earth protect everything,

by keeping to the right path

may there be goodness for those who know the earth is sacred

may all the world be happy

David Roche - Have Yoga Will Travel

David has studied and taught movement for over forty years. His teaching incorporates the lessons gleaned from his career as a dancer, artist choreographer, and yogin. His classes focus on rhythm and flow, on correct body alignment and use of breath.

Major influences in his life's study include the traditions of Martha Graham in dance and of Sri T. Krishnamacharya in yoga, as taught to him by Sri Pattabhi Jois. David is certified to teach Ashtanga Yoga by the Ashtanga Yoga Reseach Institute of Mysore.

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