Astanga

I’m so tired right now, my bones are actually aching. My day started at the Shala with my practice, continued with a long walk and some work on my ‘secret project’, then I taught a couple of classes. Afterward, I biked to the store to shop for provisions and I spent the next 5 hours baking.

I love baking. But I don’t have air conditioning and my apartment is approximately the size of a shoebox. My kitchen basically *is* my apartment and right now, it’s about a kazillion degrees in here. The oven has been running all day! By mid-afternoon, it was so hot, I half-expected Bikram Chodhury to step out of the oven, wink at me, and steal a muffin! The temperature *outside* was 43C with the humidex (that’s about 110F). I’m sure it was far hotter than that in my kitchen.

But I whipped up the following:

-2 batches of vegan muffins

-1 batch of vegan double chocolate brownies

-1 batch of gluten-free vegan double chocolate brownies

-1 batch of blueberry crumble squares

And tonight I put together a vegan stew, which will bubble away in the crock pot into the wee hours.

My fun and very social weekend starts tomorrow evening with Shala North’s vegan potluck.

Just consider the last two words of that sentence and you’ll understand why I’m *so* excited: VEGAN! POTLUCK! An entire table full of food that I can actually EAT! Without worrying about the ingredients! (okay, let’s just ignore my gluten and bean semi-allergy for a moment)

Heaven!!!

And that’s not all! Once I’ve filled my plate, I get to sit around and chat about Astanga yoga with a bunch of cool and interesting people. I’m embarrassed to admit how incredibly excited I’ve been about this. I’ve been anticipating it for weeks!

Then on Saturday, Shala South is celebrating their anniversary with a yoga class, dinner and musical performance by my chanting/philosophy teacher’s kirtan band. Since Sunday is a Moon Day, I can enjoy it all guilt free - no worries about ‘turning into a pumpkin’ at 9 p.m.

I might just need a weekend to recover from my weekend! ;-)

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Practice report:

When I arrived at the Shala, it was COLD because the air conditioning had been running all night. A few cracked windows solved that problem, though. It was hot out, even at 6:30 a.m.!

Good news: I didn’t get attacked by any flies today.

More good news: Backbending was pretty good!

This is the first day in about a week I haven’t been suffering from ‘secret project’ induced leg aches. My legs felt fine, so I was stronger. P watched me do the first two backbends, then pulled my hips forward for the last one.

Something shifted in my brain during this adjustment and I suddenly got it! I understood it better (it’s never made any sense to me before). I pushed down into my heels, lifted my hips up and forward against his hands. All of the experimentation I’ve been doing with shifting the weight around in my feet led me to this point. It was kind of an ‘a ha!’ moment. P gave me positive feedback.

I worked really hard in the last three backbends. I walked my hands in (Pingu arms!) each time I pressed up - P kept encouraging me. The third backbend, I walked them in A LOT and P said: ‘Good!!! You’re walking them in far!’ It felt like it! I kept breathing, maintained my Driste, came down after 5 breaths. My legs were shaky and tired, but I felt okay.

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I had another breakthrough moment with my ‘secret project’ today.

This one took me entirely by surprise and I think it was an important step forward for what I’m trying to accomplish. Not that I was very successful or anything. ;-) I was so gobsmacked that I fell over, then ended up flat on my back, laughing at myself. Then I tried again! No dice. I guess it was a fluke, but a good one!

It’s hard to be fearful or angsty when there’s a blue sky stretching overhead and the entire world is green and sparkling. Even if nothing substantial comes of this, I have these memories of soft grass under my feet and a sense of transcending my own perceived limitations. Yoga is awesome that way!

Astanga

Gah. My practice is very boring these days. There’s nothing to say. What passes for excitement in these lazy summer days of broken hamstrings and sloppy backbends?

Well, how about sneak attacks from creepy crawly creatures?

This morning, as P was assisting me in Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana, I glanced down at my mat and noticed something small, dark and ominous advancing stealthily towards my foot. Keep in mind, I don’t wear my glasses at the Shala so everything passes by in a blur. I couldn’t see *what* it was, but I knew it was getting closer. And closer.

As I brought my lifted leg out to the side (and dutifully settled my Driste over my opposite shoulder), I could almost feel it approach. The hair stood up on the back of my neck when I realised that IT, whatever it was, had crawled onto my foot. It started moving slowly up my leg.

I kept breathing and thinking: How important is Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana to me today? What if that thing is actually a poisonous spider? What if it bites me and I fall over dead in Utkatasana?

I couldn’t take it anymore. I glanced over at P and said: “There’s something crawling up my leg.” Then I reached down to take a swipe at it.

It was an ordinary housefly!!! P was *extremely* amused. I was a bit embarrassed. So much for creatures going bump on the Manduka mat!

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The heat wave continues. I have two fans running to keep the air circulating in my tiny apartment.

I’m all punch drunk on sunshine, heat and abundant free time. I only taught one class today! I have three books on the go, a couple of them on my Kindle. I’m thinking of pre-ordering the new book about Guruji for my Kindle (it would be ‘autodelivered’ on the 20th, the day the book is released). But I might want a print copy anyway. There’s also a new book coming out on Krishnamacharya. Lots of good summer reading for Ashtangis!

Work on the ‘secret project’ continues, secretly, outside the Shala. Susan offered some good advice which I put into practice today. I ‘lowered the bar’ a few notches and went back to the basics. I don’t want to fall into bad habits and develop incorrect muscle memory!

In the end, it all comes back to...Pingu!

Yay! PINGU!!!

I should try this. But when I land, I’ll do it with STRAIGHT ARMS! *grin*

Astanga

It’s wonderfully hot out right now. Steamy with high temperatures and a humidex that’s unbearable to most people and absolutely perfect to me. Since I typically spend the entire winter shivering, I absolutely live for this weather! The last two summers have been a bit disappointing in that regard. Last July, I was still wearing a medium weight coat in the mornings as I rode my bike to work. This year, I’ve finally cleaned up the balcony so I can sit outside and delight in the warmth.

Air conditioning? Who needs air conditioning. Don’t have it, don’t want it and I hope it stays this hot all summer. I’m in bliss!

The teachers posted a ‘heat alert’ on the Facebook page and brought emergency, backup Mysore rugs to the Shala. I didn’t think it was *that* dire in the room this morning, but it was definitely hot! Hot enough that the we could crack the windows and get fresh air without bringing down the temperature of the room. And I’m sure it was steamier later in the morning. I practice early and it’s usually cooler then.

The all-over body ache subsided somewhat overnight. I set another alarm to go off two hours before I usually wake so I could take some arnica, then sleep it off. I also took an epsom salt bath before heading to the shala. It was all helpful. I’m feeling less like the walking wounded today.

I had a good practice. True to my word, I tried to avoid ‘the Lazy’ in my jumpbacks and paid attention. I’m being very careful of the placement of my hands and the action of the jumpback, to protect my right shoulder. I haven’t felt a twinge there in about a week. The gremlin has moved into my left shoulderblade.

The great news is that my left hamstring is feeling better! Today, I noticed that I was feeling the stretch in the body of the muscle rather than in the attachment to the ischial tuberosity and I was able to take some of my forward bends a bit deeper. I even managed a straight-legged Paschimottanasana after my (very lame and pathetic) backbends.

I had a breakthrough in my secret project today! It’s going well! ;-)

Astanga

OW. My entire body is sore. I doubt an entire ocean of epsom salts would even make a dent in this. Last night, as I lay in bed waiting to fall asleep, I idly wondered if it what it would be like to submerge my ENTIRE body in a bathtub filled with arnica gel. It would be an expensive bath! And I’m already spending a fortune on that stuff.

And no, none of this is remotely related to my left hamstring. The hamstring is healing, getting stiffer by the day *sigh* and seeing absolutely no action in my practice. Hammie is effectively on holiday until further notice. The teachers are making sure of that and I’m not complaining at all - I’m aware of the necessity and I’m grateful to them for keeping an eye on it.

Amusingly, I feel like my gimpy hamstring has taken ownership of my mat. The hammie gets more feedback and adjustments than I do! As I came into Kurmasana during the led Primary on Sunday, both teachers started issuing hamstring-related directions: “Don’t push!” “You can keep your feet flat on the floor.” “Stay there.” “Keep your knees bent.”

My hamstring has its very own cheering section! *pom pom shake*

But my quadriceps are so sore right now that it hurts to poke them with my finger. If there was a misery contest, the quads would be winning.

My ‘secret project ‘ has moved into Phase II and it’s totally kicking my ass. The tenderness in my upper abdominals is finally starting to fade and its been replaced with fiery discomfort in my quadriceps, my calves, even my shins. My legs are in agony! When I got out of bed this morning, I didn’t walk so much as hobble, painfully, to a hot bath.

My practice was okay. My focus today was to be present with my breath and stay aware of Driste and Bandhas. I was grateful for assistance in Utthita Hasta Padangushtasana. I’m always worried that I’ll lose my balance and somehow aggravate the hamstring injury. P also deepened my Supta K a smidge and held my feet in place.

Jumpbacks were lazy. I need to step it up!

Backbends: My first three were very shaky; my back didn’t feel very open. The next three were better and P did an adjustment to help me bring more weight into my legs. By the third backbend, my legs were ON FIRE. Last one, I held for five breaths and just observed, trying to quiet my mind (which was screaming bloody murder).

I wouldn’t have been surprised if my quadriceps were actually shooting flames and billowing smoke as I held that last Urdhva Dhanurasana. I don’t really feel like I’m getting stronger, but I keep reassuring myself that all of this work must be leading to *something*.

Remind me why I’m doing this to myself again? Oh, never mind! ;-D

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The 70s Yoga Ladies have unrolled their Persian Rugs for some lazy summer lawn yoga on the country estate. Mint juleps after Savasana!

Pointy elbow pose?!

Something tells me hip openers might have been more appropriate (but I LOVE the tights!).

Hatha

After weeks of searching/waiting, I finally found my brass Durga yesterday as I was wandering around the neighbourhood after a sushi lunch. She’s now joined my Spiritual Posse on the altar, with Shiva, Hanuman and Ganesha. I think this may be a complete complement. More than four may be a ‘crowd’, though it might be nice to eventually add Saraswati to the mix.

From Wikipedia:

In Hinduism, Durga ("the inaccessible" or "the invincible") or Maa Durga (Mother Durga) "one who can redeem in situations of utmost distress". Durga is a form of Devi, the supremely radiant goddess, depicted as having ten arms, riding a lion or a tiger, carrying weapons and a lotus flower, maintaining a meditative smile, and practicing mudras, or symbolic hand gestures.

An embodiment of creative feminine force (Shakti), Durga exists in a state of svātantrya (independence from the universe and anything/anybody else, i.e., self-sufficiency) and fierce compassion.

Durga manifests fearlessness and patience, and never loses her sense of humour, even during spiritual battles of epic proportion.

Wow. Fearlessness and patience? Self-sufficiency? Fierce compassion? These are all qualities I’m trying to cultivate right now, along with a sense of humour (and being invincible wouldn’t hurt either!). Durga is kick-ass and I totally need her on my side!

After a comfortable haggle with the owner of the India shop (I’m very much a ‘regular’ there), she gently wrapped Durga up in a paper towel, securing her with an elastic, but carefully leaving her head exposed “so she could breath.”

I just love the fact that she was concerned my Durga might suffocate in the paper towel. :-)

Today is my official ‘day off’ from Astanga practice and I honoured it with lazy enthusiasm! When I woke this morning, I put water on for tea and went back to bed with a good book! I read for hours! Later in the morning, I did a very gentle Hatha practice just to keep the prana on the move.

In the afternoon, I did a little bit of work on my secret project. This is going quite well! I feel like I’m making solid progress and last week’s soreness has already faded.

Hatha

Interesting day. This weekend, my city is hosting a meeting of International Big Wigs and the security here is unreal. A huge area of the city centre is enclosed within a 10-foot high fence, heavily guarded by police officers. I watched the barrier go up earlier in the week and it’s creepy looking. It reminds me of a war zone.

The soup kitchen I volunteer at is just outside of this ‘security area’ but we were forced to shut down for the entire week. We normally serve 6,000 meals to the hungry. Some of our guests rely on these meals and I wonder where they ate instead. All week, roving bands of riot-police-in-training wandered the streets, familiarizing themselves with our city. They conducted training manoeuvres and randomly shut down intersections to ‘practise’ for the Big Wig motorcades. I’ve never seen so many police officers in my life! They were everywhere.

Many people escaped the city for the weekend in order to avoid this. I didn’t have the option, but I figured that it wouldn’t be a big deal. This morning, I travelled via public transit into the downtown core to teach my Saturday morning class. It was a very fast commute because *nobody* was down there. The streets were literally deserted, clear of parked cars, and many of the shops had boarded up their windows. It reminded me hurricane preparations when I lived in Hawaii as a kid. It seemed a bit like overkill.

I had a bet going with a fellow teacher that I would have a full class this morning, and I won my bet. My students are troopers! I had a full room and one person travelled all the way from the west end of the city to attend. After class, I made it home in record time. The streetcar was filled with protestors. I rode along the northern boundary of ‘the fence’ and it was surreal. The war-zone atmosphere intensified at the subway station. There were 15 officers in partial riot gear crowded near the wickets going in and I counted 20 on the platforms.

I was relieved to get home! I ate lunch and read a book and didn’t pay much attention to what was going on outside my building, though I did notice the unusual number of helicopters.

In the late afternoon, I walked to the health food store to pick up some brown rice protein powder and noticed riot police guarding the intersection to my neighbourhood! That’s when I found out that a band of violent demonstrators were moving through the downtown area, smashing windows and setting cars on fire. “They smashed all the windows of the Starbucks”, the shop clerk told me.

They were headed north. At the peak of the violence, these protests were a mere 1.5km away from my building (southeast). It’s rumoured that the police were using tear gas to disperse them.

I beat a hasty retreat home and stayed put, with the radio on.

Just to give you an idea, here’s the street I walked through on my way to class this morning. At 10:30 a.m., it was quiet and still. By 4:30, it looked like this:

I guess the boarded up windows were not ‘overkill’ after all. The downtown core apparently looks like a war zone, with smashed windows, burning vehicles and vandalism.

My teachers just canceled tomorrow’s Mysore. The Shala is located well outside of the current ‘red zone’ so it’s just a precaution. But it means that I’ll be going to Shala North for my practice again tomorrow morning. Goodness, I’m spending a lot of time up there! I’ll head up as soon as the subway opens. Hopefully, this will give me enough time to do my practice. The adjustments workshop starts a couple of hours after that, so I guess I’ll hang out in that neighbourhood and get some lunch.

It will be a relief to get out of downtown, to be honest. I just took Princess Fur for a walk around our block and even though it feels like a ‘normal’ Saturday, with children playing in the park and people enjoying their barbecues, the city is still filled with the sound of sirens and helicopters are buzzing overhead. There’s a pall of smoke over the downtown core. It’s a weird scene.

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I more-or-less honoured the rest day/Moon Day and just did a little bit of Hatha to stretch a few things out.

My upper ribs and my hip flexors are aching today. On Thursday, I launched my new ‘secret project’. It will span a month and I’m hoping it will lead to great things, but for now, it’s just making me very, very sore. Ug. I thought I was using most of the muscles in my body, but apparently there are a number of them that have been sitting on the shelf until now.