I worked really hard today in my practice (the same could also be said for yesterday). I seem to be undergoing some kind of shift and taking my practice a bit more seriously these days. I've been more focused. When I find myself getting frustrated, I'm better able to bring my attention back to the pose I'm doing right at that particular moment (if I think about all the poses I still need to do, I tend to get overwhelmed by it).
I had a nice moment in Janu Sirsasana A today. It just felt so good - like a glass of water on a hot day. Just delicious.
Yesterday, I added some of the Half-Lotus poses back in and I felt okay. More importantly, my knees felt okay. So today I added a few others that I've been avoiding/modifying for a long, long time:
Garba Pindasana - This is a pose I've been avoiding (usually skipping it completely) Until I'm able to special order that Magical Ashtanga Microscope that allows me to find the two holes in my legs where my arms are supposed to go *snark*, I won't be coming into the full pose. Since I have full lotus again, I can roll. For the first time today, I rolled in a circle, nine times, exactly like I’m supposed to. I even lifted up for 10 breaths on the final roll, although it was no Kukkutasana. I think I have found a new favourite! The first time I tried this pose a few months ago, I hated it because it bothered my low back. This time, I loved the rolling. It's fun! I need a little bit more fun in my practice, so I think I'll keep it! ;-)
Urdhva Padmasana - I set up my Lotus and did this pose properly for the first time ever this morning. This is something I've been slowly working towards, using crossed legs. For a few months, I couldn't fathom how I was supposed to keep my crossed legs up there without toppling over. I had to keep one hand on a knee, the other braced on my back. In the past few weeks, I've been able to bring both hands up to support my knees. The first time I did it, I couldn't believe it! I felt like I was defying gravity! I think this pose is all about core strength and really 'getting' Sarvangasana (feeling solid and centred in the pose). I did feel some instability with my legs in Lotus, but I think I'll continue to grow into this one as I build strength.
Pindasana - Ditto for this pose. I came into it in Lotus, but felt a bit 'tippy.' I really felt a stretch in my neck, but didn't feel any compression in my cervical spine. I wonder if I'm doing it right?
Matsyasana - This pose is a completely different animal when it's done with legs in Lotus. I did grab my toes and wow, it felt good. I felt like a tangle of arms and legs when I tried to get out of the Lotus to come into Uttana Padasana, though. Hilarious!
It's worth noting that I sweated buckets today. I always know I've worked hard when my Mysore rug is damp in Savasana!
2 comments:
spray your arms & legs real wet when doing gp. and if your lotus does not hurt your knees, you should try it. it helps open your hips & tightens up the lotus. keep bent in a total ball when rolling-especially the head way tucked.
I was hoping you would chime in - thanks for the advice! I will try that, though I'm still not confident that these elusive holes in my legs actually exist! ;-)
My knees have been feeling fine in Lotus and the rolling is going okay (I've found it's easier than it looks). This is absolutely the silliest yoga pose I've ever done, which is a great motivation to master it!!
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