Laughter in Yoga

Recently I found some things that made me laugh so hard during yoga class. Lord God!

1. Standing Bow pulling pose

Instructor: "Touch yourself in the mirror!"

Sonuvabitch! Just thinking about that line made me fall off my standing bow laughing!


2. Samastitihi

I don't mean to bastardize the practice that I love so much. But damnit I laughed my ass off when Ryan said "Samastiti--" then paused before he said "Heee!" Ryan, my English yoga instructor, can actually speak and understand Filipino. It doesn't help that when we talk, our heads can't get out of the gutter! It's just hilarious!

So when Mae said "samastitihi" in class tonight, I had to bite my lips to stop myself from laughing! Which stopped her from saying one other play of words:


3. "Chaka-ranga!"

It's supposed to be Chaturanga, but my big yogi bro, Neil, shared his experienced at his recent ashtanga teacher training of one participant kidding around saying "chaka-ranga" instead.

Oh my god my abs got a full ab work out laughing out loud! Mae actually wanted to say it in class tonight but seeing me laughing when she said "Samastitihi" she changed her mind lest I laugh the entire 90 minutes. =D


4. Birds of Paradise.

Ok, so one of our classes was being covered by our local news network and I was one of those people who were asked to be in the line of the camera (they ask that of veterans and the better students, obviously).

Now Eunice, one of my favorite instructors, told us to go into our "birds of paradise" and for the life of me, it was the first time I've ever heard of it so I actually said out loud "Birds of what?!?!"

Dude, I used to play Magic Cards. You say birds of paradise, I think manna! So when I was trying to get into the position as instructed, I couldn't help but laugh! Doesn't help that the set up for this posture isn't very flattering either.

So THANK GOD the camera didn't catch that! And THANK GOD too that I managed to hide myself from the camera! Thanks to my strategic location! Here's the video of the coverage in case you want to watch it (PinoyMD). SO happy I wasn't seen on TV! Again, very strategic location! Doubt you'll see me! But ok, fine, just so you don't play "where's Waldo" on this video, I'm the one with the pink yoga towel! hehehehe! =D

And yeah, just to let you know, this is how it looks like:

Well ok, I AM able to do it.... but imagine being in that pose and holding your laughter in? Dude, I fell off the first time until I finally composed myself (which took me a few seconds yes, but it was still hilarious!)



Oh lord! I can't imagine how anyone would find anything funny in a yoga class! The yogi gods are probably cursing me out already! Again, I don't mean to bastardize our practice. I see it more as a test to my discipline moving forward and I know I'll ace it.

I just can't promise I won't laugh AFTER class! =D

Namaste.