Monday, March 10, 2008

Day 208

Judging from today's practice, I think I may be slowly emerging from this winter funk that I've been in.

I didn't practice in the morning because I just didn't feel like it and lately, I've been going where the vibe takes me. The vibe took me straight to my to-do list. I spent the morning doing actual work. I found the paycheque that I was certain I had lost but had already phoned the accountant to put a stop on - hopefully, he didn't. I will let this be a lesson: If I had actually done my bookkeeping when I was supposed to (instead of procrastinating), I could have averted the entire drama.

In the early afternoon, I headed up to my new favourite place: this kind of lame-o café on the second floor of my supermarket. The hip crowd steers clear, but it's a hopping place for the neighbourhood elderly. But I don't care about the cool factor because there are WINDOWS! Big, wide, south-facing windows through which wide beams of sunlight stream in.

Like an addict getting her fix, I sat in the sunlight for two hours until I was giddy. Then I came home and I practised.

And it was fine. I was a bit distracted, which is to be expected since I'm currently in the midst of a the Longest PMS In History (seriously, I should I have started my Ladies Holiday *days* ago). Nothing felt bad, though. I didn't want to cry, or curl-up-in-a-ball-and-die. I just enjoyed the practice. It feels as if it's been a long time since I've been able to say that.

It was weird not to be a in a state of dread over handstand. I just put my hands on the floor and did it. Today, I balanced on my own for 15 seconds too. I'm thinking about my technique. If you watch the video, you'll see that I do a little preliminary 'hop' before going all out and jumping into the pose. Today, I realised that 'the hop' is absolutely necessary. I guess that's how I psych myself up. No hop, no handstand - at least for now. Maybe I'll try to wean myself eventually.

Musical Sirsasana was 'You don't have to say you love me' by Dusty Springfield.

Tonight: Ice hockey action against Team 3 and I'm forcing myself to go to the pub. Because nobody loves a shut-in.

3 comments:

Michelle said...

I could just as easily be a shut-in myself. Good luck at hockey and watch your shoulder this time! ;)

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for writing this blog! I find it very inspiring and checking it out every day! I've been practising HAthayoga for some time now and got in to Ashtanga for only a week ago. So now I'm trying to do the primary series every morning but MY GAAAD - my bode is sore!!
It helps me to read about your first experience of the Primary series! Plaese keep on writing!!!
Take care
Namasté

Kaivalya said...

Surya: I'm so glad to hear that my blog has been helpful and inspiring to you. The first weeks of this practice can be tough. If you can, try to find a class, just to get an idea of the basics of Ashtanga (some of the poses are a done a bit differently than the Classical Hatha yoga system).

It's not a bad idea to pace yourself at first. When I first started, I modified and sometimes skipped a lot of vinyasa until I had built up some strength. You'll get less sore in time (and stronger!).

Keep at it - you'll amaze yourself :-) Good luck! :-)