I took my Ashtangi Moon Day Obligations very seriously today and rested with enthusiasm. :-)
In the morning, I woke up and took a salt bath, then practsied an hour of Yin Yoga. I did the Sarah Powers ‘Yin Liver’ sequence, replacing ‘Seal’ with a supine backbend. I rolled up an old Yogi Toes towel in my Maha mat and used it as a bolster. I wanted something a bit more solid under me and this worked great.
I’ve been trying to do this supine backbend a few times a day for about 5-10 minutes. My theory is that my back will become bendier if I bend it more. Profound, I know! I spend so much of my life with a rounded back: in front of the computer, curled up with a book, or riding my bike. I’m trying to reverse the trend. I’ll let you know how it goes.
The Yin Yoga felt fantastic. The ‘Liver’ sequence includes a number of hip openers in external rotation, held for 5 minutes at a time. I sunk into these and really savoured them. Long Savasana afterward and my entire body felt soothed! After last week’s labours, I needed this!
I spent the rest of the morning napping and then a good part of the afternoon out in the park, laying in the sun listening to music and thinking.
It was a relief to slow down and think some things through, find some perspective.
I can’t believe that we’re already moving into the last week of July! The month flew by. I’m already beginning to look toward August.
It’s going to be an interesting and dynamic month. I’ll be working at a conference, doing some travelling and spending time with family. It’s my last month of a relatively ‘light’ teaching schedule. I’m planning to step outside my ‘comfort zone’ in some significant ways and shake things up a bit.
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Today is an interesting convergence of days: Guru Purnima, the full moon and Guruji's birthday.
There are flowers on my altar today and gratitude in my heart for all the teachers who have guided me in my practice by sharing their experience and wisdom. I'm blessed with the skill and care of so many who have walked this path before me. They light the way and ease the obstacles. I'm thankful and blessed.
My heart is full of gratitude to Sri K. Pattabhi Jois for dedicating his life to sharing this practice. I, and so many others, have benefitted immeasurably.
Happy Birthday, Guruji.
6 comments:
I like your theory on your back getting bendier. I have a similar goal at the moment where I started to do a dolphin/dolphin plank sequence to strengthen my upper body for headstand. I hope you do feel bendier! I have no doubt you will.
What a beautiful tribute to your teachers. We have so much to be thankful for.
I hope Guruji heard me yesterday. I've meditated two, whole days in a row now! I feel like I need to transition somehow & I need help. Help!! :)
dear Kai
hey, where are the comments on the grumpy post? haha. didn't Einstein also say that genius was 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration? so that would apply to practice. (easy to say from my couch)
Seven Petal Lotus taught me the bed hang. maybe i should do them again. i used to do them daily. she said a futon height was good. but Susan says any height, even high heights are OK, if I remember correctly.
hugs
Arturo
@Rand(om)bites
The dolphin/plank will help with headstand. Also, just doing the pose, as best you can will help. Headstand is such an awesome, fun pose!
@Boodi
I don't know if Guruji reads my blog (from what I understand, he's really busy with the reincarnation thing), but if he comments, I'll pass on your message *grin*
@Arturo
I closed the comments on that post. I wanted to vent, but I didn't want folks to feel like they needed to respond or reassure me (I'm getting the knack for 'meltdown management')
My blanket box is pretty high for the hangback, but it's great because my arms don't reach the floor.
I'm sure he reads. Plenty of time up there. And I bet he's going to wait to see what happens with the franchise before he pops back onto the planet...
he was in my practice room today. wouldn't it be great if he reincarnated as Dorothy's friend?
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