This is my last Mysore class for a couple of weeks. I have morning commitments, my instructor will be away, blah, blah, blah.
The new warm-ups work very well. After torturing my foot with the golf ball (not quite so torturous anymore), then half-standing on the sandbag while leaning forward, then leg lifts on my back with the strap around my heel, my legs are more flexible and less strained. The 10 Sun Salutations A (holding plank for 5 breaths), and the 5 Sun Salutations B (no holding) are getting easier, although sweat still drips off me and onto the mat (ick!). In the toe-hold and palms-under-feet poses, I am not fighting fear as much (teeny tiny bit), for which I am grateful.
Having the headstand and handstand at the end is absolutely the most fun imaginable. The world would be a less pompous place if everyone did them and viewed their lives from that ridiculous angle.
Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Monday, 24 September 2012
Day 44, Day 45, Day 46 & Day 47
No practice Days 44 - 46. Sunshine, sand, and surf, I lived in the moment.
Day 47
Red letter day - handstand!!! Upside down, feet in the air, hands holding me up. Amazing fun!
My arms weren't as solid and strong as they were from yesteryear. Back then, there was never any doubt that I would hold myself up - the question was whether or not I would topple over. Today, the old arm muscles quivered a bit, but I did not collapse into a heap on the ground, so all was good. For the first one, S. helped and braced me. The second was a variation done with feet against the wall, legs making a right angle. This was backwards to my old way, but new decade, new way.
Of course I felt fear. The old monologue ran through the head - too old, too feeble, too awkward, etc. I did it anyway.
Day 47
Red letter day - handstand!!! Upside down, feet in the air, hands holding me up. Amazing fun!
My arms weren't as solid and strong as they were from yesteryear. Back then, there was never any doubt that I would hold myself up - the question was whether or not I would topple over. Today, the old arm muscles quivered a bit, but I did not collapse into a heap on the ground, so all was good. For the first one, S. helped and braced me. The second was a variation done with feet against the wall, legs making a right angle. This was backwards to my old way, but new decade, new way.
Of course I felt fear. The old monologue ran through the head - too old, too feeble, too awkward, etc. I did it anyway.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Day 43
Today, I did Sun Salutations A & B! I've done them before in other yoga classes, but since I've been practicing Ashtanga. I will still have 10 Sun Salutations A (holding Plank position for 5 breathes), followed by 5 Sun Salutations B. I was pooped by the end of class.
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Day 41 & Day 42
Day 41 (Sept 18, 2012)
No practice today; it was a self-declared rest day.
Day 42 (Sept 19, 2012)
Hands down, it was a fab day!
There's a clue in that first sentence. Did you get it? I had my hands flat on the mat today! Woohoo! One goal reached. (The head continues to avoid the shins, but hopefully they will grow close over time.)
On Day 1, the best I could do on the forward bend, with straight legs, was touch the very tips of my fingers to the mat. Over the weeks, my reach extended until I was able to put my fingers flat on the mat, but the palms were still airborne. Today palms were flat.
This minor miracle comes courtesy of two new warm-ups. The first involved rolling a golf ball under the sole of my foot. Owie! This "massage" relaxed a protective layer? ligament? that extends from the foot to the top of the head. After doing just one foot, I did a forward bend and could feel a difference with the legs. Thrilled, I tortured the other foot.
For the second warm-up, I placed a sandbag a short distance from a wall, and partially stood on it, elevating the front parts of my feet while my heels stayed on the mat. I pushed out with the heels, as if trying to rip the mat. My forearms and head rested against the wall. After a few minutes of this stretch, I moved the sandbag back a bit, and repeated the steps. I could really feel it in my calves.
After this, I did my regular heel-held-hostage-in-strap warm-up, and found my legs straightened without much difficulty. But the real proof was when I started the first Sun Salutation. Palms on mat. Bliss.
No practice today; it was a self-declared rest day.
Day 42 (Sept 19, 2012)
Hands down, it was a fab day!
There's a clue in that first sentence. Did you get it? I had my hands flat on the mat today! Woohoo! One goal reached. (The head continues to avoid the shins, but hopefully they will grow close over time.)
On Day 1, the best I could do on the forward bend, with straight legs, was touch the very tips of my fingers to the mat. Over the weeks, my reach extended until I was able to put my fingers flat on the mat, but the palms were still airborne. Today palms were flat.
This minor miracle comes courtesy of two new warm-ups. The first involved rolling a golf ball under the sole of my foot. Owie! This "massage" relaxed a protective layer? ligament? that extends from the foot to the top of the head. After doing just one foot, I did a forward bend and could feel a difference with the legs. Thrilled, I tortured the other foot.
For the second warm-up, I placed a sandbag a short distance from a wall, and partially stood on it, elevating the front parts of my feet while my heels stayed on the mat. I pushed out with the heels, as if trying to rip the mat. My forearms and head rested against the wall. After a few minutes of this stretch, I moved the sandbag back a bit, and repeated the steps. I could really feel it in my calves.
After this, I did my regular heel-held-hostage-in-strap warm-up, and found my legs straightened without much difficulty. But the real proof was when I started the first Sun Salutation. Palms on mat. Bliss.
Monday, 17 September 2012
Day 40
Solo practice today. The Shala is hosting classes, so Mysore is not an option for me today or tomorrow.
I miss the synergy of practicing in a group, even though we are all doing different things. The practice somehow feels more complete. And when I'm done, I'm done.
In a solo practice, when to begin is too open, too optional. If I have no appointments, it can happen pretty much any time. Sometimes I procrastinate all day. In an attempt to outsmart my procrastination, I put on my yoga gear first thing and don't change out of it until I have finished.
I miss the synergy of practicing in a group, even though we are all doing different things. The practice somehow feels more complete. And when I'm done, I'm done.
In a solo practice, when to begin is too open, too optional. If I have no appointments, it can happen pretty much any time. Sometimes I procrastinate all day. In an attempt to outsmart my procrastination, I put on my yoga gear first thing and don't change out of it until I have finished.
Sunday, 16 September 2012
Day 39
Home practice today. My hamstrings were very tight. Was fear shrinking their stretch-ability? Or genuine tightness?
Of course I battled fear. From the first time I bent over and discovered my fingertips did not flatten on the floor (oh-oh, how am I going to do the palms-under-feet pose?) to the very end, I argued with myself. It took 3 tries to get the palms-under-feet pose properly, but I really did not want to end the practice feeling crumby that I had avoided it.
All this hovering in plank position is making a difference in my arms. Woohoo - pipes!
Of course I battled fear. From the first time I bent over and discovered my fingertips did not flatten on the floor (oh-oh, how am I going to do the palms-under-feet pose?) to the very end, I argued with myself. It took 3 tries to get the palms-under-feet pose properly, but I really did not want to end the practice feeling crumby that I had avoided it.
All this hovering in plank position is making a difference in my arms. Woohoo - pipes!
Saturday, 15 September 2012
Day 38
Today is the Saturday rest day and a moon day. Double reasons of why I shouldn't practice today. Ahhhhhhhh....
Friday, 14 September 2012
Day 36 & Day 37
Day 36 (Sept 13, 2012)
No practice today due to inconvenient committments.
Day 37 (Sept 14, 2012)
Two practices today. The first, mid-morning, was just about as bad as bad could be. Fear ran amok and dominated my actions. Convinced I had tried "hard enough", I moved into Corpse Pose before I had finished. I lay there, feeling anything but restful, annoyed and angry with myself for letting fear win. Peace of mind only came when I promised myself I would do a second practice mid-afternoon.
Second practice was much better. The only good thing about the first practice was that I had held the new, harder plank position for the required 5 counts. (I'm working to lowering myself down, and to prepare, I had to bend my elbows 2" and squeeze them in and hold myself there for 5 breaths.) My arms were still mushy from the earlier workout, so this afternoon I held the new position for just one breath, which is the standard.
Then I moved into the toe holding and the palms-under-feet poses. This morning I was afraid my hamstrings would roll up like window blinds and wimped out. This afternoon, I worked through the fear.
With hindsight, I understand why I was afraid. These positions pull oddly on my body. Excuse my indelicateness, but bent over in the palms-under-feet pose, I feel a decided tug on my anus and v-gee-gee. It weirded me out. Once emotionally off-balance, fear swooped in to take over. This afternoon, I was prepared for the sensation, and just breathed through them. I am pleased to report all the internal parts of my body are still inside where they're supposed to be.
No practice today due to inconvenient committments.
Day 37 (Sept 14, 2012)
Two practices today. The first, mid-morning, was just about as bad as bad could be. Fear ran amok and dominated my actions. Convinced I had tried "hard enough", I moved into Corpse Pose before I had finished. I lay there, feeling anything but restful, annoyed and angry with myself for letting fear win. Peace of mind only came when I promised myself I would do a second practice mid-afternoon.
Second practice was much better. The only good thing about the first practice was that I had held the new, harder plank position for the required 5 counts. (I'm working to lowering myself down, and to prepare, I had to bend my elbows 2" and squeeze them in and hold myself there for 5 breaths.) My arms were still mushy from the earlier workout, so this afternoon I held the new position for just one breath, which is the standard.
Then I moved into the toe holding and the palms-under-feet poses. This morning I was afraid my hamstrings would roll up like window blinds and wimped out. This afternoon, I worked through the fear.
With hindsight, I understand why I was afraid. These positions pull oddly on my body. Excuse my indelicateness, but bent over in the palms-under-feet pose, I feel a decided tug on my anus and v-gee-gee. It weirded me out. Once emotionally off-balance, fear swooped in to take over. This afternoon, I was prepared for the sensation, and just breathed through them. I am pleased to report all the internal parts of my body are still inside where they're supposed to be.
Wednesday, 12 September 2012
Day 34 & Day 35
Day 34 (Sept 11, 2012)
Let's just skip over Day 34. I did.
Day 35 (Sept 12, 2012)
Mysore class complete with teacher. And a zillion students. Pretty much every available space was taken. I ended up in front of the fire exit door, next to a bump-out wall, which forced me into the centre part of the room.
Inconspicuous I was not. Too bad I wasn't the model yogini of grace and strength, an inspiration for all. Instead, if anyone was watching (which I'm sure they were not), they saw a sweaty lumpy woman trying to hold her toes.
Yes, hold my toes!!! I'm onto the standing positions! How exciting!
I am shocked at how afraid I am. Of everything new. I have to convince myself I am fine, I can do whatever. When I bent over, sliding my hands under my feet for the second pose in the Standing Sequence, I was afraid my hamstrings were going to sproing! out of my legs and roll up like curly ribbon. I pretended/thought it hurt (which was my fear, not an actual physiological response) and came out of the pose. I went right back into it again, and held it longer, but I was still a wee bit afraid. I'm afraid I can't do it, that I'll hurt myself, that I'm crazy for even trying.
Am I going to be like this for every new pose?
Let's just skip over Day 34. I did.
Day 35 (Sept 12, 2012)
Mysore class complete with teacher. And a zillion students. Pretty much every available space was taken. I ended up in front of the fire exit door, next to a bump-out wall, which forced me into the centre part of the room.
Inconspicuous I was not. Too bad I wasn't the model yogini of grace and strength, an inspiration for all. Instead, if anyone was watching (which I'm sure they were not), they saw a sweaty lumpy woman trying to hold her toes.
Yes, hold my toes!!! I'm onto the standing positions! How exciting!
I am shocked at how afraid I am. Of everything new. I have to convince myself I am fine, I can do whatever. When I bent over, sliding my hands under my feet for the second pose in the Standing Sequence, I was afraid my hamstrings were going to sproing! out of my legs and roll up like curly ribbon. I pretended/thought it hurt (which was my fear, not an actual physiological response) and came out of the pose. I went right back into it again, and held it longer, but I was still a wee bit afraid. I'm afraid I can't do it, that I'll hurt myself, that I'm crazy for even trying.
Am I going to be like this for every new pose?
Monday, 10 September 2012
Day 33
Disappointment of disappointments - no instructor today. And the substitute didn't show up either. (Oops, do I detect a miscommunication?)
One of the uber-early students must've opened the studio. Apparently, someone else was coming in later to lock up. In between, whoever showed up had the run of the place. (Insert image of yogis going berserk. Hard to picture, isn't it?) We were a dull group and did what we were supposed to.
Total bummer though - the relaxation in Corpse Pose at the end of the practice was missing. My brain paid attention to every squeak and bump, wondering who/what caused it and if I needed to do something. Of course not, but my mind felt like it had to constantly assess the situation.
One of the uber-early students must've opened the studio. Apparently, someone else was coming in later to lock up. In between, whoever showed up had the run of the place. (Insert image of yogis going berserk. Hard to picture, isn't it?) We were a dull group and did what we were supposed to.
Total bummer though - the relaxation in Corpse Pose at the end of the practice was missing. My brain paid attention to every squeak and bump, wondering who/what caused it and if I needed to do something. Of course not, but my mind felt like it had to constantly assess the situation.
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Days 29 - 32
Day 29 (Thurs, Sept 6, 2012)
The headache from Day 28 turned into intestinal distress. Who knew I was so full of it?
Day 30 (Fri, Sept 7, 2012)
Solo practice today. Fabulous session. Best of all was the sense of renewal during the final position, Corpse Pose. I conscientiously relaxed every part of my body, mentally soothing the sore spots, breathing into the area of focus. Afterwards, I had a shocking amount of energy.
Day 31 (Sat, Sept 8, 2012)
Rest day. Ahhhhh.
Day 32 (Sun, Sept 9, 2012)
Heavily scheduled day. No practice.
The headache from Day 28 turned into intestinal distress. Who knew I was so full of it?
Day 30 (Fri, Sept 7, 2012)
Solo practice today. Fabulous session. Best of all was the sense of renewal during the final position, Corpse Pose. I conscientiously relaxed every part of my body, mentally soothing the sore spots, breathing into the area of focus. Afterwards, I had a shocking amount of energy.
Day 31 (Sat, Sept 8, 2012)
Rest day. Ahhhhh.
Day 32 (Sun, Sept 9, 2012)
Heavily scheduled day. No practice.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Day 28
I woke up this morning with a mild dehydration headache. Not the best start to the morning but fixable. Eating and drinking has been a challenge for the past week as the kitchen is undergoing a complete renovation. No sink, no stove, no easy-peasy food prep.
The Mysore class went well. I managed (barely) to hold each plank position for 5 slow breathes for each of the 10 Sun Salutations. I had to pause between each of the last 4 sequences to find more energy. My arms were trembling by the time I was done.
My legs joined the chorus of trembling muscles after the lunges. I dropped into Child's Pose for a few minutes to recoup.
As always, the headstand was my delight. Every time I go upside down, I confront my fears: that I'm not advanced enough for this pose; that I'm too old/feeble/uncoordinated; that I'll hurt myself very, very badly. The mind plays many games. Even when I get into the pose, my brain tries to convince me to come out of it quickly because something might happen. Goodness, I'm risking enough by just going up - do I have to press my luck!?!
I am sad to say that fear wins, and I pop down before I'm ready. Yesterday I stayed up for 12 slow breathes. Today 20. I might not be able to shut up the negative voice, but I can count over it.
The Mysore class went well. I managed (barely) to hold each plank position for 5 slow breathes for each of the 10 Sun Salutations. I had to pause between each of the last 4 sequences to find more energy. My arms were trembling by the time I was done.
My legs joined the chorus of trembling muscles after the lunges. I dropped into Child's Pose for a few minutes to recoup.
As always, the headstand was my delight. Every time I go upside down, I confront my fears: that I'm not advanced enough for this pose; that I'm too old/feeble/uncoordinated; that I'll hurt myself very, very badly. The mind plays many games. Even when I get into the pose, my brain tries to convince me to come out of it quickly because something might happen. Goodness, I'm risking enough by just going up - do I have to press my luck!?!
I am sad to say that fear wins, and I pop down before I'm ready. Yesterday I stayed up for 12 slow breathes. Today 20. I might not be able to shut up the negative voice, but I can count over it.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Day 25, Day 26, and Day 27
Day 25
Goof off day. No good reason. Just didn't practice.
Day 26
Almost slid into 4 days in a row without practicing, but decided that would be foolish. Just before supper, I yanked on my gear and got to work. I don't know if it was the 3 days of rest, or the fact that my practice was later in the day, but my muscles cooperated nicely. The endorphins did their trick, and I was smiley and happy for the rest of the evening.
Day 27
Morning Mysore class today. My ready form of transportation was not available and I had to take the bus.
Today's microscopic addition to my routine was lengthening the time I'm in plank position to 5 breathes. While tucking the tush, softening the ribs, maintaining strong legs. The goal is to work towards lowering myself into push-up position before Up Dog.
Who knew I was missing a whole pose?
Goof off day. No good reason. Just didn't practice.
Day 26
Almost slid into 4 days in a row without practicing, but decided that would be foolish. Just before supper, I yanked on my gear and got to work. I don't know if it was the 3 days of rest, or the fact that my practice was later in the day, but my muscles cooperated nicely. The endorphins did their trick, and I was smiley and happy for the rest of the evening.
Day 27
Morning Mysore class today. My ready form of transportation was not available and I had to take the bus.
Today's microscopic addition to my routine was lengthening the time I'm in plank position to 5 breathes. While tucking the tush, softening the ribs, maintaining strong legs. The goal is to work towards lowering myself into push-up position before Up Dog.
Who knew I was missing a whole pose?
Saturday, 1 September 2012
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