Courage over Comfort: USA Yoga Championships!

January musings from Mardy and Jeff.

“When I practice, I am a philosopher. When I teach, I am a scientist. When I demonstrate, I am an artist.” - B.K.S. Iyengar

The late great yoga teacher, B.K.S. Iyengar, was known for his lectures and yoga demonstrations. Watch this video from 1984 when he was 65 years old. His knowledge, expertise and charisma are on full display, as he effortlessly performs yoga asanas in front of a packed audience.

Did you know that PURE Yoga has been a proud supporter of USA Yoga since 2003, when Mardy participated in the first-ever USA Yoga Championships? Over the last several decades, we’ve dedicated ourselves to the study of the Ghosh Yoga College system of 84 Advanced Asanas, testing our limits at these yoga “championships” year after year. For a period of time, I was a member of their board of directors, assisting with event planning and execution. We even hosted the Texas Regionals four times over the years, each time gaining experience and understanding of the primary purpose of these events: To inform and inspire others to begin or continue their yoga practice.

Join us on February 11th at our PURE Yoga Texas | Downtown Austin studio as we host the USA Yoga regional qualifier and a number of past years’ champions. You’ll see amazing demonstrations of postures with stillness, breath, and beauty on full display, and interviews with our special guests to inspire and motivate you to aim higher in your practice!

Why yoga championships?

“Do not aim low; you will miss the mark. Aim high and you will be on a threshold of bliss.” - B.K.S. Iyengar

Above all, participating in yoga championships takes courage. We find comfort in our daily yoga class practice. However, when asked to perform the same pose that you’ve “mastered” in the studio class environment stage in front of an audience, something shifts. Those who have reached the highest level in yoga championships have learned to take their practice “off the mat” and onto the stage!

Lauren, Leila, Monica, Mardy, Martha, Lisa, and Jeff from the 2014 Regionals (all of whom still practice and/or teach today!)

We offer our 84 Asanas Advanced class not only to share with our PURE community, but to hold ourselves accountable to our personal growth and development as yoga students and teachers. It is often the pursuit of a challenging pose where you learn the intricacies and mechanics of simpler yoga asanas. While I may likely never get to the deepest expression of that pose, the journey towards it informs and inspires me in my daily practice.

See you on the mat!

-Jeff and Mardy

Check out the YouTube Playlist of past champions’ routines below!