For Jan 23

I came into class on the 23rd with a lackluster attitude. I recognized that, gave myself a few minutes to respect the fact that that was where I was. I questioned why I was feeling that way, and then I resolved to change my attitude through my practice.

The mini lecture that we started practice with was about right attitudes - ha! We were encouraged to start with the right attitude, but I couldn't, even though I tried. So I stuck to my original resolution, that I would use practice to work through my bad attitude. And I did! Especially with the part where we breathed in a sequence - beginning, middle, and end... matching it to the beginning, middle, and end of each movement in our sun salutations.

I found that toward the end of practice, I was actually looking forward to meditation! And when we were done, I wanted to sit longer!

Talk about a change in attitude - and it was a great feeling. :)

Namaste

For Jan 22

This day we started to really study meditation. I learned that you have to be willing to sit, and be open to what surfaces in the mind. Most importantly, I learned that when you start to get uncomfortable, THAT is the time to keep sitting, because then you will start to work through things, or at least recognize what issues need attention. If you always get up when you start to feel agitated, it will take much longer to work out your issues.

Practice was challenging, and towards the end, my muscles felt super tired - weak, but good. I find that with the harder practices, my breathing speeds up, making it hard to keep my movements slow and steady. If breath leads and movement follows, it's difficult to keep a smooth, slow pace. Then, when I'm trying to focus on slowing down my breathing, I have trouble fine tuning the poses.

All of this makes me feel like I am moving to fast, but yet I need to keep up with the class. It makes it hard to know what I should prioritize.

Namaste

Blog for Jan 20

I think January 20th was actually the day I started to slide, and give in the idea that maybe I had overcommitted myself.

I was late to class. I left work late, and once I realized I was going to be late anyway, I decided to lay down for a few minutes and relax in the quiet. Then I felt naughty, so I booked it down to Chinatown, and actually wasn't as late as I expected.

But that feeling of just wanting to lay down had taken root, and that's when the struggle really started!

In class, we learned about the legend of Patanjali, and then we practiced. After practice, we did a kriya meditation, which is when you try to control the flow of prana. It was a wonderful exercise, and though I was tired after class, my mind felt at ease.

Namaste

Facing the Music

So, it's been over a month since I blogged. So much for a daily commitment! And, I'm sad to say I took a break from doing yoga every day.

When I started this commitment, I wasn't sure if or when I would enroll in teacher training, and let me tell you, teacher training is intense!

Towards the end of my first month, I took a day off of yoga. And when we reached the break in month 2, I caught a cold and decided to give myself a body vacation. Then I geared back up, started doing yoga again, and BAM. Another cold. What's up with that?

BUT, I did journal some by hand, so I will convert those entries to blog entries. For the days I didn't practice, I'll just tally up a total, and own it. I won't hit 365 days of practice in a year, but I will finish the year!!! And I'll be a certified instructor when I'm done. I think that kind of makes up for a few missed days here and there. ;)

Namaste

Naps are Important

So, when you're working 40 hours a week, spending 17 hours a week in yoga teacher training, and then practicing at home as well, while trying to cook as much as possible and not eat out... grabbing a nap when you can is important!

Today, after getting home from work, I did just that. Paul wasn't home yet, the house was quiet, and I was wiped. So I climbed in bed and fell sound asleep. I woke up refreshed, and ready to take on the rest of my to do list for the day, which included practice.

I don't want to lose the arm strength I've been building, while we focus on standing poses in class, so I spent a lot of time flowing, getting in as many chutarungas as I could. It felt good to use a different set of muscles after several days of really focusing on the root of the standing poses. I'm sure that when we get to chutarunga in class, and I have to hover for what will probably seem like forever, I'll be wishing for the days of standing poses. But when that day comes, I want to still have at least the arm strength I've got now - no less, and hopefully more. Without it, I don't know if I'd survive!

Namaste

3rd Day of Teacher Training

On my third day of teacher training, I was worried. The week was already wearing me out, I didn't get to leave work right on the dot like I'd hoped, and I was feeling a little bit overwhelmed with the anatomy reading. Then, a lightbulb when off in my head, and I remembered that anatomy wasn't due until Saturday! So I went back to being excited about class. ;)

One of the books we are using in class is a Rodney Yee guide to starting a home practice. It's divided into 8 weeks, and it focuses on a different aspect of the mental component of yoga every week, while integrating the poses that help achieve that aspect. Within the week, there is an initial practice that teaches the poses, with three stages within each pose. Then there are five more days of practice that builds on the initial one, and a day for meditation and rest. In class, we practice day 1 of each week together, learning the three stages of each pose so that we can teach to all levels.

So that's what we did on Wednesday - Day 1, Week 1. I've said it before - I'm becoming a broken record. But every time I say it, it's true. I am continually amazed at how vigorous a basic practice can be when you are really fine tuning each pose.

What I'm learning more and more is that it is much harder, and much more rewarding, to constantly move within the pose. I used to think the goal was to hold a pose, to be still, but still breathing. I'm learning now that this isn't the case. There should be constant movement in the pose, no matter how minute, as you check in with each part of the body, scanning from toes to the top of the head, and realigning. And even beyond that, with the inhale and exhale, there should be two movements one opening, one deepening.

If you do that, it doesn't matter how basic the practice is, you'll be working hard, and reaping the rewards.

Namaste

Another confession.

So for Tuesday, I worked, came home, ran errands, and then sat down to watch some tv to chill out. I made a mental list of what I needed to do before bed, including yoga. And then I did everything, and went to bed. Except, when I woke up Wednesday morning, I realized I completely forgot the yoga!!! Darn it! So that is the third day in almost 6 months that I didn't practice. I was so angry at myself Wednesday, but I let it go. What's the point of daily yoga if you're going to beat yourself up over it?

Namaste