Astanga

I had a very sub-par practice today. I was feeling lethargic and groggy in the morning and hoped that a practice would boost my energy levels. I stumbled through the poses of the Primary Series, actually coming out of one or two early because I was feeling so tired (Setu Bandhasana once again felt impossible. So much for that!). On the plus side, I was particularly focused today and deeply aware of my breathing.

Afterward, I felt worse instead of better. I didn't have the energy to go for a longer walk (opted for a shorter one) and I was too muggy-headed to get any work done in the afternoon. Later on in the day, this sense of mental fog and exhaustion manifested as a headache and I carried that into my afternoon classes. I didn't start to feel better until my very last class (three Tylenol later).

I'm feeling fine now (late evening), but wondering what has been causing the post-practice 'wooziness' I've been occasionally experiencing. I'm wondering if perhaps I need to eat something (easily digestible) before I step on the mat. My practice is sometimes postponed to mid-morning and I end up skipping breakfast. Also, I need to return to the 'optimal nutrition' part of CR and make sure I'm getting all of the nutrients I need. I'm think specifically of iron, protein and vitamin D.

Vinyasa

I went to the house last night and at the exact same moment that I was pushing open the perpetually sticky front door, it opened from the inside, HARD. I hurled forward, just barely catching myself before I catapulted over my bike and into the front hallway. In doing so, I wrenched my back. I spent the rest of the evening in pain, flailing around in supine twists on the floor in front of the television in hopes of solving the problem (American Idol wasn't helping matters).

The pull was on the left side, I'm thinking it was the erector muscles along my spine that took the hit.

I went to sleep laying on my Acuball. The pain had diminished significantly by the morning, but I was still sore. Still, it's obviously nothing serious, just some muscle spasming. I took it easy in my practice today, particularly since I have a heavy teaching day ahead of me (4 classes).

I did the Suryas A and B, all the standing poses, then meandered off into my own hatha practice. I worked through most of my favourites: Supta Virasana, Supta Padangustashana, Eka Pada Raj Kapotanasana, did some restorative and Savasana. I used to do this all the time last year, when I didn't have time to get through the entire series. I would do either half-Primary or as-much-Primary-as-I-can-fit-in.

My back felt significantly better after the practice, so I'm pretty sure I'm on the mend, whatever it was.

Astanga

Posted on the AYS weblog at around 7:30 p.m. tonight:

“We are sad to announce that Guruji has been admitted to the ICU. Sharath must return to Mysore immediately to be with his family during this critical time.

Unfortunately, all north american workshops will be cancelled. Full refunds will be given.

Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time.”

Sharath was in the midst of leading a workshop in San Francisco. A certified teacher is now finishing those last few days.

I wasn't planning to attend for the entire duration of his visit to my city, but hoped to go to at least one led primary while Sharath was here. I had been living vicariously through the blogs of the New York peeps who attended his sessions last month. I was a bit nervous, but very excited. This upcoming workshop was one of the things that inspired me to jump back into my full Astanga practice (I wanted to be more prepared). So I'm disappointed, but more saddened about the circumstances.

The news comes as a shock (although I've heard that Guruji has been ill off and on for the past several months). I'm filled with compassion for the family of Sri Pattabhi Jois and I hope he recovers. The KPJAYI website has scant additional information. I posted to the Ashtanga EZ Board in hopes of hearing more from practitioners who are currently practising in Mysore, India.

I'm keeping good thoughts for Guruji and his family.

I had a perfectly ordinary mid-morning practice today. No neck problems at all! In fact, I spontaneously decided to add Setu Bandhasana to my practice (I had been doing a supine chest-opener during that pose to prepare for Urdhva Dhanurasana afterward). Easy peasy...what a surprise! I always struggled with that pose. It felt too weird, like I would collapse onto my neck. Today, it felt stable and strong. I enjoyed the pose. I guess I'll be doing this one from now on.

Astanga

Upon waking this morning, my neck felt a bit stiff, but I had full mobility and no pain. I decided to wait it out. I went for a long walk in the morning, gave the dog her spring clip in the morning (she looks gorgeous, but is a bit peeved at me now), and had lunch. In the afternoon, I rode out to High Park to look at the pretty cherry blossoms. I spent a couple hours there, blissfully soaking up the sun, people watching and reading a book.

Then I came home to practice, full Primary Series, and my neck was fine. I'm still modifying 'everything-neck' (I supported my lower back in Urdhva Padmasana, did Matsyasana *gently*), but there was no pain and I had a really nice practice.

I was so clear-headed and focused afterward that I was able to plow through a whole pile of work before bedtime. Wish practice always had the affect on me!

I'm planning for a Full Primary tomorrow, then I'll do a shorter Hatha practice on Wednesday, as that's one of my heavy teaching days. I'll play it by ear on Thursday. I've only been back to my full practice for a week, so I'm still sorting out how I'll fit it into my current schedule. I want to take at least a day off of Astanga, maybe two, per week. I'm not sure if I'll bother with Moon Days.

I'm still doing my Yoga Streak, though, so it's yoga every day regardless.

Astanga

Okay, it's official: my neck is sore.

Also, and probably unrelated: my lower back was aching last night as I tried to sleep, but I'm going to blame that on the bed. It's too soft and saggy. At one point, I awoke to find myself sleeping in a variation of Pigeon pose, so I switched sides and went back to sleep!

I had vivid dreams of buying a huge loft-style living space with enough space to maintain a yoga studio. But the previous owner had left behind shelves upon shelves of knick knacks and junk: figurines, dishes, old washers and dryers and even a lawn mower. I was desperately trying to move these things out and also remove the layer of brand-new gray carpeting to reveal a wood floor beneath. My dream kept me busy and exhausted through the night.

Just before waking, I finally cleared the my dream loft space. I discovered that it had a wonderful wrap-around balcony looking out upon the city and rooftop gardens. And a real fire escape (it's silly, but I've always wanted one!) The afternoon light spread golden beams across the floor as I convened a group of students for a yoga class near the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Then I woke up with a crick in my neck. Oh yeah, my neck. Argh.

I did do the full Primary Series this morning, but very carefully. I gingerly tried Supta Konasana, and it actually felt fine, as did Shoulderstand. But I didn't stay long in Shoulderstand and didn't even attempt Urdhva Padmasana again. I replaced Matsyasana with a series of gentle neck stretches and opted out of Sirsasana entirely.

I don't want to push it. I think tomorrow will be a modified Hatha practice and if my neck is still sore after that, I'll do Hatha for the rest of the week.

Astanga

Ow, my neck.

My Lady's passed, so I returned to the full Primary Series this afternoon with renewed enthusiasm. But perhaps a bit too much enthusiasm...In Urdhva Padmasana, I lost my balance and as my weight shifted backwards, I struggled to stay upright, putting pressure on my neck and shoulders. I think I may have strained the muscles in my neck because it's sore now.

Argh. That's a lesson learned. Too bad I had to learn it in one of my favourite poses. I'll see how I feel tomorrow, but I may be taking an abbreviated practice for a few days while I figure this out.

Besides that slip, I had a wonderful practice. After I finished, I took a hot bath and had lunch. Then I enjoyed a lazy afternoon of reading, drinking my favourite Chai tea and devouring a Death by Chocolate cookie from the Market (I stopped by the Market this morning after teaching my class).

Hatha

I had big plans to do an hour of Journey Dance before practising yoga this morning, but these plans evaporated as soon as I laid down on the futon and picked up a book. Then I took a phone call. Then I realised that I was hungry, for banana pancakes. So I quickly unrolled my mat and did 40 minutes of Hatha Yoga.

I warmed up with Sun Salutations and standing poses, then did a few hip openers. I never feel like I'm opening up my hips enough in the Primary Series, so it felt good to focus on this part of my body. I also did some core strengthening and ended the practice with some more restorative yoga.

Then I took a copy of the yoga sutras to the café with me and enjoyed it with the pancakes, continuing my yoga practice with some Swadhyaya, self study. Maple syrup on the side ;-)

I had a late celebration of my birthday. Yes, I know my birthday was in mid-April. But it was worth the wait to go to my favourite restaurant. We spent a lovely evening at Nirvana. I had a ceasar (and stole sips of my companion's cosmopolitan) and I ordered the cheesy ravioli. We shared the eggplant dip and asian fried flatbread appetizer. And we picked up cheesecake on the way home.

Fun! Not CR, but definitely fun.

Also, on a side note, today is the 10 year anniversary of my move to the city. After a nomadic childhood, moving around every couple of years, it's quite remarkable to have been in one place for this long. I love this city and I'm still happy to be here.