Monday, December 31, 2007

Day 149

Another early-morning-yoga day - I was up at 6 and on the mat by 6:30 for my last yoga practice of 2007.

Once again, I felt stiff and my back wasn't very open, but I did manage to build up a lot of heat. This is actually an interesting observation - skating chills me considerably because I'm outside for over an hour. Today, I went skating *after* yoga and I was able to come home and shower (and warm myself up) rather than jump on the mat with my icy little toes. I think I prefer it. I also love the atmosphere of early morning yoga - the candles on my altar, the darkness ouside, the warmth inside.

But I'm far more flexible in the afternoon.

Flexiblity, heat. Heat, flexibility. Hm... Not sure which I prefer.

I don't have anything profound to say about the New Year. I know that it holds great significance for some, as a 'clean slate'. For me, it's just another day, though I do take the opportunity to make some resolutions, goals to work toward in the coming months. This year's 'yoga resolution' is backbending and in particular, drop backs. I would like to have drop backs nailed by the end of the year.

WoYoPracMo starts tomorrow and I've given some thought to how I might challenge myself for the month, seeing as I already practice yoga 6 days a week regularly. I've decided that hell or high water, I'm going to do the complete primary series (no cheating, no short forms) for the entire month.

I'm also going to add daily seated meditation to my practice. This last part will definitely be challenging, as it's not something I've been doing lately. Week one, I'm going to meditate for 5 minutes each day, 10 minutes each day for the second week, 15 minutes for the third and 20 minutes a day by the fourth week. This seems doable to me.

I wish my four readers (yes, I have a fourth!) an enjoyable turn of the year. See you in 2008!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year ! I find your blog very inspiring. I have a selfpractice myself and so can relate a lot to your blog. Keep up the good work :)

Kaivalya said...

Anonymous: Thanks very much! Self practice can be a bit isolating sometimes, which is one reason I started the blog. Happy yoga in 2008!

Anonymous said...

Your forth reader read your entire blog last week (in bed, with a toothache). I guess I must really like it :-) I wish you a great year!

Jacqueline

Michelle said...

Those are great yoga goals that you have Kaivalya. As for me, I just plan to make it to the mat each day for the month of January. That in itself would be a huge improvement for me these past months. Happy New Year to you.

Anonymous said...

I definitely look forward reading more on your progress in adding daily meditation to your practice. It´s been one of my New Year´s resolutions for 2008 (the same as last year) and I also find it quite challenging as in the past I was always too distracted to manage. Setting the specific goal as you did, however, seems to make it more workable. Good luck in 2008!

Katerina said...

Thought I was the fourth one! ;-) Anyway, it does not matter. I am very glad that your great and ispiring blog is finding its readers (and I bet there are much more than 4 or 5 of them). Well done!

Anonymous said...

I'd like to sign up as the fifth!

Just found you through WoYoPracMo and fully intend to read it through in the near future :-)

Anamika

Kaivalya said...

Thanks Anamika! I'll check out your posts on WoYoPracMo too :-)