Astanga

I had a completely boring, uneventful practice today. It was absolutely terrific!

The Shala was quiet. P was on duty today. I received the usual adjustments in Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana and Prasarita Padottanasana C, plus a nice bonus assist in Supta Padangushtasana (one of my favourite adjustments because it opens up my inner hamstrings so nicely).

Bhujapidasana:

I think I’m finally getting the hang of the chin-to-the-floor thing. I thought I wasn’t lifting my feet high enough, but I had a look at both Yoga Mala and Maele and noted that the feet don’t need to be *that* far off the floor. I think the next focus for me is jumping into it. R had me moving in that direction by jumping my feet to the floor outside my hands. I was playing around with this a bit before teaching a class today and it’s not easy! I find the jump into Bakasana far easier, I’m not sure why.

I ran across this blog post through a Google search and it has some helpful tips for the jump. Choice quote: “The trick is not losing your mind after you jump” Well, I’m just *terrific* at not losing my mind these days! This will be a cinch for me. :-D Maybe I’ll poke around online for some YouTube clips, find a Yogic Muse to inspire me. I’m having fun with this part of my practice!

Backbends:

I tried to sneak in a little itsy bitsy preparation pose today (the one where I lift up through my hips, grab my heels and deepen my Ujjayi before coming into Urdhva Dhanurasana) but I totally got *busted*! P saw me doing it from across the room and issued a cease-and-desist order!

So I did my three warm-up backbends, focusing on Ujjayi...took a brief rest...did two more, walking my hands in to deepen the backbend...rest. Then I did three more backbends with a rest in between each to work on rocking.

I didn’t walk my hands in quite as far today. I tried to keep my legs straight-er and push up and forward through my hips. My inhalation is never long enough, so I worked on deeper breathing. During my second rocking attempt, I noticed that I was lifting my head, so I worked on keeping the back of my head moving toward the front of my mat. Oh yeah, and Nasagrai. Why, why, why do I want to look around during these backbends? There’s nothing to see!!!

Maybe I’m subconsciously planning my escape route! ;-)

At one point, P stood beside my mat and said something very kind. I can’t remember what is was exactly (I was busy!), but something along the lines of ‘keep breathing, no fear, this will come when the body is ready’. Well-timed, gentle encouragement and I really appreciated it.

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My CrazyPants Week scared off the poor 70s Ladies! When I went to fetch them for a photograph, they were all hiding under the table in the formal dining room, nervously clutching their Persian Yoga Rugs tight to their bosoms.

But I managed to flush them out with some dainty tea biscuits.

Meet Beehive Lady.

She wants you to know that Eagle Pose isn’t correctly aligned unless your hair is higher than your hands. I don’t know about you, but I need bigger hair!!!

My crown chakra is feeling all tingly...