Astanga

Full Primary today. I enjoyed my practice, skipped Janu Sirsasana C and Marichyasana D - the former because it aggravates an old condition in my feet and the latter because my low back was a bit cranky last week (and possibly because I'm lazy). I always skip Setu Bandhasana. I probably need to suck up and learn that pose. Argh.

Lately, my entrance into Sirsasana (headstand) has been particularly strong and I'm wondering if it has anything to do with my recent work at the gym. I don't belong to a gym, but I teach at a fancy-pants health club. Recently, I started taking transit to class, usually arriving a bit early (intentionally - I factor in extra time in case there are transit delays). I use this time to play around on the fancy-pants gym equipment, most of which is still a big mystery to me.

There's this metal thing (Google says it's a 'leg raise') that is in my direct eye-path while I'm teaching, so I've seen other people using it (so it's less of a mystery). It looks like a throne without the seat. You climb up, rest your elbows on these platforms while grabbing the handle thingies, then lift knees to chest. Funky. It's a way to work the abs (and the quads too, I guess, and the Psoas). So I've been doing that.

Here's the photo I found online:
She looks so happy, doesn't she? And look at those abs! (clearly, I'm easily amused!)

Today, I arrived *really* early, so I unrolled my mat spent some time goofing around with forearm balance and handstands. I also worked on my backbends, doing Urdhva Dhanurasana against the wall (trying to press my chest towards the wall) and some hangbacks.

I'm no closer to doing drop-backs but at least I'm working on it. Sort of. I get points for trying, right?

Here's this week's State-of-the-Backbend. Kinda lame today:



I think I'll have a good run of long practices through the weekend and maybe even into Monday (no guitar lesson this Monday, which makes the day more manageable). I'm using the DVD regularly right now. I seem to go through these Beryl and Sharath (the CD) 'phases'. Right now, it's all Beryl.

Flo was asking about the Power Yoga DVD. I like it because it's a led Primary, but in a more casual format. Beryl counts in Sanskrit and follows the traditional vinyasa (mostly; there are few fun side-trips into non-traditional poses like Bakasana and handstand), and she offers tips and encouragement for each pose. There's a very authentic feel to the teaching on this disc - it's like being in a real class. Some of the people on the DVD can't do full lotus and use modifications. Beryl stumbles over her words a few times. I like it because it's unpretentious.

Significantly, modifications are offered and encouraged. There are probably not enough modifications to suit a raw beginner, but enough for someone who has done a lot of yoga or has a passing familiarity with Astanga.The DVD was very challenging to me when I first started. Now, a bit less so, but it's comfortable and familiar. When I'm in an Astanga 'slump' the DVD inspires me back onto the mat.

I tend to use the DVD when I have a reasonable block of time to devote to my practice. It's longer than Sharath's CD - about an hour and thirty-five minutes to Sharath's hour-and-ten-minutes. I own other Astanga DVDs, including Mark Darby and Richard Freeman. I found them interesting to watch, but I just wasn't comfortable practising with them. I haven't yet seen Kino's disc (but would like to; this might go on my Christmas list, along with the Intermediate).

Beryl also has a few audio recordings out there, including one on iTunes. I have the one recorded in the Bahamas (referred to as 'beachberyl' in the tags).

You know what my favourite part of the Power Yoga DVD is? Savasana. Beryl's late husband Thom created a CD of rock 'n roll devotional music and one of his songs (based on my mantra, 'Om Mani Padme Hum') accompanies the Savasana. I wish that song was on iTunes because I would totally buy it.