New house rule: No Internet until I'm through with yoga and my walk. I got sucked into the black hole of Facebook this morning and started my practice 15 minutes late. Time just seemed to get away rom me this morning. It felt particularly fleeting (but slowed WAY down, once I got to work!)
I had to cut out at Navasana in order not to be late. I cut my walk a few minutes short too. I did do closing sequence, but cut out a few poses.
I felt generally sore and stiff this morning. My knees are bothering me again. My back is cranky and I noticed that shoulderstand and Halasana were particularly uncomfortable. I think that poor, maligned Supta Konasana (which I skipped, since I ended at Navasana) is a actually a good preparation for shoulderstand work in the closing sequence. I guess I should appreciate it more!
My balance was a bit better this morning, but I still didn't feel very stable in the standing poses. All of this is probably an adjustment to doing the practice immediately after waking. Those first few sun salutations are mentally painful!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Day 47
I slept very poorly last night. In fact, I woke in the middle of the night and when I couldn't go to sleep, I gave up and got up. I caught up on some work that needed to be done and ate a banana. I finally got back to sleep, but not for very long.
When I looked outside at 4:45 this morning, I realised that sunrise is getting later and later. This morning, the sun came up at 6:12. It was cloudy this morning, so the dark seemed even darker to me. My neighbourhood is pretty safe, but I don't feel comfortable going out walking in the darkness. I decided it was time to flip-flop my morning schedule: yoga first, then my walk (usually, I walk first).
This means that fifteen minutes after I awoke, I was doing yoga. I wasn't sure how this would feel, particularly given that I only slept for four hours. But it was fine. I was no stiffer than usual, though I did find that my concentration (particularly on breath) was scattered and balancing in poses was a challenge.
My walk afterward was great - It was a pleasure to be in the park at sunrise and see the rosy clouds overhead. I wish I could find a way to integrate some meditation into this schedule too, without getting up earlier. My mornings are already jam-packed and I do as much as possible to prepare the night before.
When I looked outside at 4:45 this morning, I realised that sunrise is getting later and later. This morning, the sun came up at 6:12. It was cloudy this morning, so the dark seemed even darker to me. My neighbourhood is pretty safe, but I don't feel comfortable going out walking in the darkness. I decided it was time to flip-flop my morning schedule: yoga first, then my walk (usually, I walk first).
This means that fifteen minutes after I awoke, I was doing yoga. I wasn't sure how this would feel, particularly given that I only slept for four hours. But it was fine. I was no stiffer than usual, though I did find that my concentration (particularly on breath) was scattered and balancing in poses was a challenge.
My walk afterward was great - It was a pleasure to be in the park at sunrise and see the rosy clouds overhead. I wish I could find a way to integrate some meditation into this schedule too, without getting up earlier. My mornings are already jam-packed and I do as much as possible to prepare the night before.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Day 46
I did a 'multi-tasking' practice this afternoon which involved the Primary Series interspersed with trips down to the laundry room. It was a hot, humid day so this worked very well for me, since it gave me a chance to cool down between 'bouts' of yoga. ;-) My practice lasted the usual 90 minutes, but spanned over two hours with all the breaks I took. Ideally, this isn't how I would choose to do my practice, but I kind of like the fact that I'm able to be flexible and committed to it even when it's not easy.
These afternoon/evening practices on the weekend are such a treat for me - I enjoy practising later in the day and I'm so flexible. In the morning, forward bends are difficult but in an afternoon practice they're all melty and soothing. Some not-very-soothing events occurred this weekend that caught me by surprise, so it felt good to melt into a place of safety in my yoga practice.
Supta Kurmasana totally rocked today! I feel like I'm really getting the hang of it now. Another fun moment was in Marichyasana A - I didn't need to adjust anything or pull my arms back to grab my wrist like I usually do. I just reached back for it and it was THERE! No fuss, easy peasy!
These afternoon/evening practices on the weekend are such a treat for me - I enjoy practising later in the day and I'm so flexible. In the morning, forward bends are difficult but in an afternoon practice they're all melty and soothing. Some not-very-soothing events occurred this weekend that caught me by surprise, so it felt good to melt into a place of safety in my yoga practice.
Supta Kurmasana totally rocked today! I feel like I'm really getting the hang of it now. Another fun moment was in Marichyasana A - I didn't need to adjust anything or pull my arms back to grab my wrist like I usually do. I just reached back for it and it was THERE! No fuss, easy peasy!
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Day 45
I can be dense sometimes, but even I can read the writing on the wall when it's as clear as it was on Friday morning: I needed a break. So I took one on Saturday. That day could best be described in one word: “Sleep.” I woke late (for me, at least - 7 a.m.), went for a walk, then rode my bike downtown to teach my noon class. Then I came home and went to sleep.
And I slept, and slept. I woke around six-ish and went out for the evening, but even with all that napping, I was still able to drop into bed, dead exhausted, and fall asleep immediately around midnight. I simply needed the rest.
I practised this afternoon and the quality of my practice was in marked contrast to Friday. I was full of energy, felt strong and fluid and focused. I had my best Primary Series in ages. My knees feel great and I did all of the Marichyasanas! My back was happy and I gratefully fell into deep forward bends. I soared into three open, joyful backbends.
My hamstrings were flexible. I am SO close to Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana!!! I'm inches away from binding my hands behind my back in the latter - so exciting!
Even Supta Konasana felt good today. Everything just felt so good.
I'll see how it goes in the coming week, but while I'm working this contract, I think I'm going to start taking a break on Saturdays. Because of my teaching schedule, I can't really change the time of my practice during the week - it really needs to be in the morning. I would rather keep this consistent because I'm afraid if I vary it, my routine will fall apart.
And I slept, and slept. I woke around six-ish and went out for the evening, but even with all that napping, I was still able to drop into bed, dead exhausted, and fall asleep immediately around midnight. I simply needed the rest.
I practised this afternoon and the quality of my practice was in marked contrast to Friday. I was full of energy, felt strong and fluid and focused. I had my best Primary Series in ages. My knees feel great and I did all of the Marichyasanas! My back was happy and I gratefully fell into deep forward bends. I soared into three open, joyful backbends.
My hamstrings were flexible. I am SO close to Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana!!! I'm inches away from binding my hands behind my back in the latter - so exciting!
Even Supta Konasana felt good today. Everything just felt so good.
I'll see how it goes in the coming week, but while I'm working this contract, I think I'm going to start taking a break on Saturdays. Because of my teaching schedule, I can't really change the time of my practice during the week - it really needs to be in the morning. I would rather keep this consistent because I'm afraid if I vary it, my routine will fall apart.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Day 44
Nothing about my practice was good this morning. I was absolutely exhausted for a start. We're in day 3 of a horrible heatwave and I barely slept last night. I woke up feeling groggy and run down.
Still, I unrolled my mat and practised for an hour, attempting to do most of the poses of the primary series. I modified nearly every pose because I didn't have the energy to come into full postures - the only other alternative was to come into child's pose each time instead of doing vinyasa and I was pretty much doing that anyways.
Around Navasana, I finally acknowledged a losing battle and did some restorative yoga before doing Savasana and calling it a wrap.
I could blame the weather, but if I'm really honest, I think this new schedule with the contract and other things is taking a lot out of me. I probably need to rethink my 'practice schedule' in the coming week. I suspect I'll be axing my evening practice and perhaps moving my morning walk to the afternoon. I haven't meditated in a week and I would like to make some time for this in the mornings.
Still, I unrolled my mat and practised for an hour, attempting to do most of the poses of the primary series. I modified nearly every pose because I didn't have the energy to come into full postures - the only other alternative was to come into child's pose each time instead of doing vinyasa and I was pretty much doing that anyways.
Around Navasana, I finally acknowledged a losing battle and did some restorative yoga before doing Savasana and calling it a wrap.
I could blame the weather, but if I'm really honest, I think this new schedule with the contract and other things is taking a lot out of me. I probably need to rethink my 'practice schedule' in the coming week. I suspect I'll be axing my evening practice and perhaps moving my morning walk to the afternoon. I haven't meditated in a week and I would like to make some time for this in the mornings.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Day 43
Today, I started doing Ardha Baddha Padma Padottanasana with modifications that emphasized the hip opening aspects of the pose. I love this pose in its full expression so I found it really difficult to do the modified version (a standing 'rock the baby' variation). Time will tell if it helps me gain greater flexibility in my hips. Until then, I suspect my ego will have a little pity party for itself every time I do it.
I stopped doing my abdominal exercises this week, due to time constraints. On Wednesday and Thursday I didn't have time to do an evening yoga practice at all and the other days, I just felt rushed. Anyways, I could really feel it in my headstand. I couldn't come up into headstand with straight legs much of this week.
no pain - noticed yesterday but it didn't hit me until hockey
On the bright side, I felt so much better in Paschimottanasana today! My hamstrings have felt very open this week. As a result, I'm making good (and noticeable!) progress in Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana
Oh yes, and I have a new pose to hate, now that Purvottanasana and I are cool. I now hate Supta Konasana. Something about coming into an inversion at that stage in the practice - my low back doesn't like it and I feel unstable. Yuck.
I stopped doing my abdominal exercises this week, due to time constraints. On Wednesday and Thursday I didn't have time to do an evening yoga practice at all and the other days, I just felt rushed. Anyways, I could really feel it in my headstand. I couldn't come up into headstand with straight legs much of this week.
no pain - noticed yesterday but it didn't hit me until hockey
On the bright side, I felt so much better in Paschimottanasana today! My hamstrings have felt very open this week. As a result, I'm making good (and noticeable!) progress in Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana
Oh yes, and I have a new pose to hate, now that Purvottanasana and I are cool. I now hate Supta Konasana. Something about coming into an inversion at that stage in the practice - my low back doesn't like it and I feel unstable. Yuck.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Day 42
My practice was fairly unremarkable this morning. I didn't feel sluggish and I *did* do my evening practice last night and enjoyed a lovely backbend. I'm always amazed at how much more flexible I am in the evening. I love the energy and atmosphere of a morning Ashtanga practice, but sometimes I wonder if I should move my practice to the p.m. Hm...anyway...
My knees feel a lot better - in fact, I'm tempted to add Marichyasana B back in tomorrow. I'll see how I feel after my hockey game tonight.
My hips are tight. Not in every instance (I'm fairly flexible in Baddha Konasana, for example), but they're tight in certain poses. In general, they've felt tighter lately and I've really started to notice it in my practice. Is it the biking I'm doing? The morning walks? Sitting around more since I'm not teaching a full schedule this month? Who knows...
I was perusing David Swenson's book and studied the photo of Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana more closely. His bent knee is all the way on the floor in that photo. I can bind in the pose, but my knee isn't on the floor - probably because my hips are too tight. I think I'm going to start approaching this pose differently in the coming week. Instead of coming into the full pose, I'm going to do a 'rock the baby' variation that's a hip opener. And I'll add a hip opener to my evening practice as well.
My knees feel a lot better - in fact, I'm tempted to add Marichyasana B back in tomorrow. I'll see how I feel after my hockey game tonight.
My hips are tight. Not in every instance (I'm fairly flexible in Baddha Konasana, for example), but they're tight in certain poses. In general, they've felt tighter lately and I've really started to notice it in my practice. Is it the biking I'm doing? The morning walks? Sitting around more since I'm not teaching a full schedule this month? Who knows...
I was perusing David Swenson's book and studied the photo of Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana more closely. His bent knee is all the way on the floor in that photo. I can bind in the pose, but my knee isn't on the floor - probably because my hips are too tight. I think I'm going to start approaching this pose differently in the coming week. Instead of coming into the full pose, I'm going to do a 'rock the baby' variation that's a hip opener. And I'll add a hip opener to my evening practice as well.
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