Astanga

When the alarm went off this morning, I lay in the darkness thinking groggily: "Shala." Then I woke completely, remembered, and corrected myself: "Sweep floor!" I also put all the blinds down, which helps keep the room a bit warmer.

It worked - I was sweating buckets this morning. It was great! I had a really nice practice: strong, focused and *fun*.

The wrist bind in Mari D is easy again. Looks like it's sticking around for the time being. Yay!

Supta Kurmasana was really deep. After I exited, it occurred to me that in home practice, I'm free to come into that pose however I like! I could try the Dwi Pada Sirsasana thing, prop myself against the bookshelf to keep my balance as I get the second leg behind and hook the ankles. Hmm...

I could try it tomorrow! I'm feeling so energized and excited about my practice again. I see all these possibilities and I'm suddenly brainstorming ways I could develop specific skills in my practice.

I did Bhujapidasana twice because I wasn't entirely happy with the exit. This part of my Primary really needs some work, so I may start repeating it regularly. It's a good strength builder and it's always better on the second go.

The lotus jumpback is one of my new favourite things right now. I'm still doing the cheaty 'Mayurasana thing' with my arms, but I'm really lifting the lotus! And I can hold it up for a micropause before I shoot my legs back too. Love it!

Dropbacks were a bit shaky this morning, but I kept trying and trying and finally got through them. No luck standing up. I'm still trying to deepen my inhalation on the rocks forward.

I still need a deeper backbend and I've been thinking about hangbacks. I could do them before the dropbacks. I could try this for a few days and see if I notice a difference. I like hangbacks because I enjoy the intense stretch in my hips. They just feel good (that's reason enough to do them!).

Oh, and I'm back to doing jumpbacks/jumpthroughs after an almost-two-week hiatus to rest my right shoulder. I wasn't going all-out, but doing them gently and it felt fine.

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