And the second, and the third, and the fourth... I grumbled to myself as I waddled to the bathroom to run the water for my bath. Oh, I complain, but at least it gets me out of bed in the morning! :-)
Lately, Teacher R has declared war on my Prasarita Padottanasana C. Oh, to be a fly on the wall during that adjustment! Just how close are my hands to the floor? I guess I’ll find out when they get there. She pushes HARD and keeps me there for eons. I know I’m supposed to relax my shoulders but my body seems to resist this pose.
No adjustment in Supta Kurmasana today. I crossed my ankles on my own, then lifted up for a sloppy exit.
There were Driste violations throughout my practice, my mind was all over the place today. I’m on the edge of a cold - there’s a stupid sinus infection going around. I’m doing frequent Neti, including my special ‘cold fighter’ wash at least once each day and I’m taking ColdFX, trying to get adequate sleep and naps. Not much going on this weekend and it’s supposed to be rainy and cool - I’ll be able to get some rest.
Oh, and one more thing: How on earth am I supposed to look at the tip of my nose in Sirsasana and still remain balanced? I need a steady gaze point! I wish there was a good cheat for this, so it would *look* like Nasagrai, but I could have my steady gazing point too!
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Referrer Thursday
It’s been awhile since I posted a link for Referrer Thursday (these are sites that link to me, which I discover through my access stats).
Today, I’d like to introduce you to Danielle’s blog, Bon Vivant. Danielle is originally from Singapore and lives in the Bay Area with her French husband. Seems like most Singaporeans I know are big foodies and she’s no exception to this rule. This is not an Ashtanga blog! Bon Vivant is an inspiring food blog filled with recipes and incredible photography of food, food, food!
Danielle offers detailed guidance for creating beautiful gourmet dishes, along with unique, fun photos that make you feel like you’re right there in the kitchen with her. Though not all of the dishes are vegetarian (and all of them require more culinary patience than I posses), the blog is terrific eye-candy for the hopeful cook.
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Bacon Pancakes!!!
You will not find this recipe on Danielle’s blog, but doesn’t it look delightful? Hmmm? ;-)
Update: You can pour some of this on top!
8 comments:
I feel for you, those prasarita C adjustments can be painful... the "supposed" to relax part is the hardest...
Thanks for featuring my blog and I'm glad you like the images :) I'm a 6 month old Ashtangi so I feel your pain about Prasarita C...my teacher never fails to turn up when I get into that pose and it's seriously the longest 5 breaths ever!
@Claudia
Yeah, I seem to mentally and physically fight that adjustment and I feel bad about it. The teachers want to help me - when I freeze up, it's just harder for them.
@Danielle
It's great that you're six months into Astanga! I'm looking forward to hearing about your experiences with the practice.
The Prasarita C adjustment seems to be 'compulsory' for Astanga newbies. Probably because it opens up the shoulders for Supta K.
Prasarita Padottanasana C is a tough one for me. Trying to relax the shoulders away from the ears, I'm never sure which rotation is best. I only wish I had someone to pull down on my hands and help me stay for a while.
I feel your pain on prasarita C too - one of my first teachers (aka the BAD teacher) used to hurt me in it daily & I would resist...until one day she said "Good! You used to really resist that!" I wanted to say yes, you're bloody breaking me!! Now with my lovely authorised teacher she once (ONCE) got my hands to the floor - and my head - and I couldn't figure out what was going on as my hands hit the floor & squealed in shock. But just this morning I was wishing there was a camera to see where I get to unadjusted...is that vanity?
I love Danielle too, we have bonded over headstand struggles on my blog! (I can't do nasagrai either, I just look at the end of my mat). Eek long comment, sorry!
I've been practicing, as you know, near windows that look out on a pool. The glass is about 7-8 feet from me by the time I get to Sirsasana. I lock my gaze at the base of the windows. Especially if I do the forearm press to lift off the head. I don't know how it looks, but it sure FEELS like nasagrai dristi.
The harder way to do it (and to do it anywhere) is to look at your "yoga nose," which is about 8-14 inches (20-30 cm) from your face. That way your eyes don't cross.
I wish I'd get a prasarita C assist. I hardly ever get them now. My hands go to the floor easily, palms in OR out, with an assist. But I can't do it on my own.
Anyway - hooray we both practiced!
@Misanthropic
Be careful what you wish for! ;-)
Okay, but seriously, I don't mind the adjustment THAT much - it's just far more effective when Teacher P gives it, I'm able to relax more.
If I've learned anything from yoga, it's: "And this too shall pass." Soon, my hands will be on the floor in that pose and I'll be fretting about something brand new.
@Daydreamingmel
I have a feeling there will be a 'floor touchdown' of the hands in the next month. I think that's why it's been so hard lately - I'm so close!
@Patrick
I've tried that trick - focusing on one spot on my mat and not allowing my gaze to shift at all, but I still get caught. I don't mind Nasagrai in any other pose, but when I'm balancing, I need to SEE.
Sounds like my 'yoga nose' is a bit like Pinocchio! I'll try to grow one...
@Boodi
I'll trade all of my Prasarita C assists for your jump-throughs! :-D
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