Words: Kheethachanok (Fon)
My name is Kheethachanok, but everybody calls me Fon. I come from Thailand, where I’ve spent most of my adult life working with Veterinary Charities. Looking after stray animals, witnessing their suffering and caring for them is very rewarding, but can put a serious emotional burden over you. I always tried to engage in sports and physical activity to unload some of this stress. For several years, I’ve practiced Muay Thai (and even did some amateur fights on stage!); that was great for the body, but there was something missing. I initially started Yoga just for fun – to try something new. I had no idea of the change that would have represented for my life! Before meeting my Thai Teacher, I didn’t know much about the dozen different types of yoga. Like many others, I used to look online for some “30 minutes yoga sequence” or similar, and practice along, without concentrating much on breathing, proper alignment, etc. Meeting Kru Dutchi for the first time lead to a big change of perspective. In a way, it felt like I had to start all over again and like a new-born baby learn how to take the first steps. The training began with learning the Ujjayi breathing. This technique, also known as “Ocean breath”, brought a whole new dimension to my practice. In a way, it felt like I never fully “took a breath” before! During meditation we were normally asked to observe and be aware of our breathing, but with Ujjayi we try one step forward, to control our breathing and channel it where it is most needed. Starting from the breathing was also a way to reset myself and what I thought I knew about Yoga. Even before starting the 200 hours Teacher Course I spent many hours at “Dutchi Yoga” studio, in Chiang Mai, and started following Dutchi around Thailand for other workshops and short courses. It was amazing to feel part of a group, and not to be alone in this journey. Since 2022, I’ve moved to England (I’m still very new!) and I’ve been taking part in classes with various teachers to continue exploring the variety of Yoga disciplines. “The road goes ever on” and I feel like Yoga offers us an immense variety of styles and possibilities. I hope to find new companions here in England to share with me some new experience.
WHAT IS ANUSARANGA?
Like the name suggests, Anusaranga combines two “masters”: Anusara, the “master of alignment”, could be translated as “flowing with grace” and it can be considered a modern branch of Hatha Yoga. Ashtanga, the “master of mindfulness and prana”, focuses more on the mental and spiritual side. I first came in contact with Anusaranga when I met my teacher, Kru Dutchi, in the North-West part of Thailand. According to her, she developed this style in order to combine the different experiences she had during her journey as a Yoga Teacher and synthesise them in an active and intense flow.
I first came in contact with Anusaranga when I met my teacher, Kru Dutchi, in the North-West part of Thailand. According to her, she developed this style in order to combine the different experiences she had during her journey as a Yoga Teacher and synthesise them in an active and intense flow.
The three principles of Anusaranga
1. Foundations The foundations are our main point of contact with the ground; the very base of any Asana (pose) that we might practice during our flow. Depending on the asana, your foundations might be your feet (like in Tadasana – Mountain pose) or your hands during Kakasana (Crow pose), or your low abdomen in Dhanurasana (Bow pose). Being mindful of our foundations will allow us to stay in the asana with more awareness and comfort.
2. Bhandhas (Locks): Mula Bhanda – perineum lock (involving pelvic floor and the genital area), Uddhinya Bhanda – abdominal lock (involves abdomen and diaphragm and stimulates the solar plexus), Jalandhara Bhanda – chin lock (neck and chin), and Maha Bhanda which combines all the previous three in one. A regular practice of Bhandas will lead to more stability, and new possibilities in exploring more advanced asanas.
3. Prana which we control with Ujjayi breathing. Feeling the “pranic flow”, channelling it into the asana and harnessing this endless energy is something unique that doesn’t end with the practice itself but carries on with our daily life.
We try to stay in each asana for 3 breaths, trying to “send the breath” down to the joint/muscle we’re working with, before moving to the next pose.
The typical Anusaranga flow will start by opening of the major joints (shoulders and hips) and stretchingexpanding muscles and tendons. Back bending, hip opening postures and arm balance will become gradually easier and more familiar.
Since I’ve started Anusaranga, I was able to perform asanas that I initially considered unthinkable! For example, I never thought I could be able to do head-stand, or other inversion poses, but then step-by-step, with regular practice, I’ve managed to get there!
We may all start at a different level. Hence, we shouldn’t focus on the end result, but appreciate every step of the process by being kind to our body all the time. It is an ongoing study of our own possibilities and limitations; trying to step out of our comfort zone to explore something new, that we used to consider out of our reach should be approached gradually.
The ultimate goal of this practice is to achieve a synchronicity between the breath and the movement, allowing you to tap into an inner energy source, reminding us that body and mind are not two separate entities, but a unique and whole wonderful thing.
WHY ANUSARANGA?
Like I said before, I didn’t know what Anusaranga was before meeting my teacher. I understand that for somebody new to Yoga it must be difficult to choose which style would be best for them. In my personal and limited experience, I was struck first by the person, then by the technique. Kru Dutchi had such a strong personality and extensive knowledge built over many years of practicing that my mind sub-consciously decided to fully trust her; something that I didn’t really absorb at the time. The training with her didn’t stop with the Yoga practice. We undertook several meditation retreats of many days in various Temples, and participated in different seminars and workshops in which other teachers and practitioners would take the lead, allowing me to be exposed to new Yoga styles and to begin a process of selfknowledgethat continues to this day.
SO, WHY SHOULD SOMEBODY TRY ANUSARANGA?
“Why not?” Will be my immediate answer! It takes parts of different Yoga styles and combines them into a dynamic, intense and whole experience. It will help you build up your core, make you stronger, gain more flexibility, improve your selfawareness and perhaps make new friends and challenge yourself. Anusaranga is a very active practice. So if you’re looking for a good workout, you should find it, but if you’re mainly interested in relaxation and unwinding… it might not be the best! I’d like to close this little article with a final though: “writing about music is like dancing about architecture” said Frank Zappa, and I used to be quite intimidated by the yoga jargon. Yoga is practice, is flow, is fun! I really hope not to have written something too heavy or contorted but, perhaps, to have kindled a bit of curiosity for this Yoga practice. From the beginner level to the more advanced ones, there are plenty of physical and mental benefits to be gained. So, why not giving it a try?!
For more information about Fon’s classes in Eastbourne, LONDON, feel free to contact info@fonyoga.co.uk or visit www.fonyoga.co.u
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