I think I've completely made the rounds of the various teachers at Hot Central. Today, I *finally* had a repeat: Macadamia. I really like her! She's newish, so her dialogue is so *sincere*. When she says "Lock your knee!", her tone is very earnest, as if she cares really deeply about my knee. She's also quite enthusiastic, which is contagious *pompomshake*.
I had a good practice today! I feel like I'm on a roll this week and improving rapidly. It's kind of the polar opposite of having a plateau in my practice and to be honest, it's a little bit disconcerting. There have been small shifts in nearly every single pose. I'm finally starting to understand the physical mechanics of these postures and even the more subtle aspects. Trippy!
Oh, and I hate to admit this, but the 'Lock the knees' directive really is helpful in the balancing poses. Yeah, I still have an Ashtangi-eyerolling-moment whenever a teacher says: "LockTheKneeLockTheKneeLockTheKneeLockThe KNEE!!!" But I have a feeling my Uttita Hasta Padangustasana is going to be loads better when I complete this 30-day experiment.
All of the backbends are getting easier, but Ustrasana was particularly fantastic today. And this had me *really* curious about where my Urdhva Dhanurasana is these days. I was out with a friend in the evening, but when I got home I unrolled my Manduka, did a few experimental backbends and shot a State-of-the-Backbend photo to gauge my progress.
Holy smokes! My hands are mere inches from my heels! My hips and shoulders have opened a lot. My back is actually bending. This is incredible!
Not only that, but it appears that Bikram yoga has turned my hair a lighter shade. I seem to have picked up a slight British accent *and* I'm suddenly MUCH better looking (and my fashion sense has improved exponentially)!
This is powerful stuff! ;-D
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
12 comments:
Seriously? That's amazing! Your backbend progress, I mean. I think the primary series makes backbending so much harder than it has to be. You spend an hour forward bending and strengthening the abdominals, then you're asked to simply press up to a full UD, no questions asked. It's kinda crazy, if you ask me.
Holy smokes, yes, this urdhva dhanurasana looks great!!!!!!!
Very nice back bend Kai! It is kind of scary that Bikram lightens your hair but I guess the new accent and the fashion sense are a nice perk. Powerful stuff. My favorite part is no pain mentions, so healing is happening, Yay!
Hehehe!
Hugs to you and your other self.
I understand the shiny leggings combined with the British attitude are what really makes the back bending come together...
Ha ha ha!
But which self will be coming home to London? Have you 2 done a permanent life-swap? ;)
*grin* I think there may be a market for backbend-super-enhancing shiny leggings, Karen.
@Mel
As much as I adore my Urdhva Dhanur-doppleganger and would love to keep her here forever, I think she misses her London life and routine. I imagine she'll turn up there soon! :-)
(and 'my' backbends will deteriorate accordingly)
Hey! Should I come up with a line of backbend-enhancing super-shiny mojo leggings to fund my Mysore trip?!? (aha moment !!!!)
I think I really like Kai's life. Actually, if we could do a life swap long enough for her to tidy up my London flat and make it more like her appartment, that would be fabulous (warning: could take months!). I'm QUITE sure she wouldn't let me have Princess Fur that long, though...
By the way I've already objected to the better-looking comment!!
@Susananda
I *had* to make the 'better looking' comment. It wouldn't have been fair not to drop at least a hint or two that the person in the photo was not, in fact, me. :-)
I'm pretty sure Princess Fur would object (rather loudly) to a 'life swap'. But she really liked you a lot! She warmed up to you fast (she can be a bit of a snob with strangers).
very inspiring,
Dear Kai
haha. hair went blond eh?
hugs
Arturo
Post a Comment