Inspiration, Madonna...

" “Yoga is a metaphor for life. You have to take it really slowly. You can’t rush. You can’t skip to the next position. You find yourself in very humiliating situations, but you can’t judge yourself. You just have to breathe, and let go. It is a workout for your mind, your body and your soul.” Madonna.

Madonna practices Ashtanga yoga, which is a style which encourages more dynamic movements and transitions between the postures. Ashtanga yoga can be an effective cardio workout as well as a isometric bodyweight bearing exercise.
Madonna began to practice ashtanga yoga (the Vinyasa style) to get back in shape after the birth of her daughter, Lourdes, in 1996. At this time she was with fitness trainer Carlos Leon who became her personal trainer. He may have been the source of her inspiration to adopt yoga as a way to stay in shape. Now almost 12 years later, she is still in great shape, and has recently started a new world tour. For a 49 year old (50 years old this August) she is doing very well. So, what does Ashtanga yoga involve?

Ashtanga yoga practice consists of six progressively difficult series of linked postures, each requiring between 90 minutes to three hours to complete. Each sequence typically begins with 10 Sun Saluttation and the standing poses. This is referred to as the “opening sequence”. The student then moves to either the Primary, Intermediate, Advanced A, B, C, or D, depending on his or her skill level, a back-bending sequence, finally closing with a set of inverted postures, referred to as the “finishing sequence”.

Ashtanga Yoga is traditionally taught in Mysore style (supervised self practice), where each student moves through the practice at his or her own pace and level. So, astanga yoga is not like the average yoga class you are likely to find in your local gym or village hall. It is much more dynamic, and requires a greater level of strength, coordination, balance and flexibility than other styles. This is why this form of yoga keeps Madonna in such great shape."


This great artical I found on Yoga Mums website. I think Madonna is a big inspiration to a lot of people. Her strenght and body is amazing for beeing 50 years old. What I love about Yoga is that what you achive in your practice your body remebers. If you just keep practising you can stay strong and flexible a very long time, and your body will be able to feel good even though you are getting older and stiffer. When I started Yoga, I realized  how weak I was even though I had a lot of muscles. Thats why you can never judge someones strenght on how the person looks. My Yoga teacher always talks about the inner power, the "Bandha" work, meaning the muscles you use when you laugh, cough, or sneeze. But coz of my Muaythai I have a lot of muscles that protects my bones. In Yoga you have to take it very slow to not injure yourself, but I am very lucky to be as strong as I am to be able to come this far as I have done. If  I hadnt been this strong I would have had to take it way easier and slower, but thankfully my body adjusts easy and I use my strenght and muscles not my bones.

Today Ajay said after my back bends: "Next week we start more intensive back bends". My God, I thought. Even more... Tea laught and said after class " I am not jealous of you, you will have a fun week next week". This week was hard, but both me and Tea is staying strong though. Happy to have her so we can inspire each other and keep steady even though its hard sometimes. Wouldn't have been the same to do it alone!