Taking a break

So I can officially say it. I need yoga in my life.
  The past week I had to take a break from my practice. It was March break and the I was running a special needs camp at work, I was working about 10 hours a day, and on top of that I got sick. First I got stuffy, then the headaches began. But prone to overworking and of course stressing about making my camp perfect, I firstly put it down to that. I was nearly able to make it to class on Wednesday but thought an early night was in need, and yes I listened to my body. Did what all those teachers tell you to do. I listened. However I felt groggy, bored, frustrated and fatigued. And I'll admit my temper at home was sharp. Why out of all the weeks to get sick, was it the one week I was running the camp on my own. Why when I had fantastic children learning things each day, did I get sick.
 This time last year I got full blown influenza and I was REALLY sick. I was off work for a whole week, very unlike me. I'm that type of person that will take the day off only when I'm told to make sure my germs are kept at bay rather than sharing with the vulnerable children I work with, but would still have energy to write reports, do the washing etc. But that week no, I was in bed all week and didn't care for food (very unlike me). That said, this time round I just had a cold. I was proud to say that this winter I had been lucky so far to not get sick, especially in the environment in which I work. I really did put it down to the yoga. I practiced regularly, detoxing my body with the breathing and quite frankly the sweat. My mind was active, my body was active and I had a perfect balance of sleep and lifestyle. It may sound silly to some of you, but I truly believe that this week I felt as I did, because I stopped my practice.
  Why do I think this? Well I've just finished another yoga teacher training weekend, and I was nervous to get back into the Ashtanga practice. The last thing I wanted was to sweat, turn my body upside down and use every muscle in my body. I was nervous my body would be stiff I would feel very sore after, and I would struggle with my breathing. But I did it, then I did it again, and then after Saturday that wasn't enough, I went home and did some more. I felt amazing. Even fairly stuffy in my head, my body felt amazing. I was folding forwards with great flexibility, got complimented on my jump throughs looking light and airy and I nearly got into supta kumasana. We practiced Mysore in the afternoon on Saturday and after dinner taught the class to each other. Usually at this time I save energy and half heartedly participate in the poses, but this time I did it with as much effort as I could. I got home, felt amazing and started to practice some vinyasa poses. Then I slept amazing. Then Sunday, yes I felt slightly sore as predicted, but went back to a led primary class and felt great again.
  Was it that I missed yoga that much, or was it that I gave myself enough rest that my body felt stronger? Usually each day I feel something going on, either in my neck, arms, shoulders, back, or legs due to the positions I have gotten myself into, but I hadn't had that for over a week. I was pleased that the rest was a good thing, although the rest didn't feel good at the time. But still the weekend has left me feeling refreshed and positive, and my mind feels more de cluttered (although work knows it shouldn't be).
  I can confirm yoga is needed in your life, well definitely mine. To find balance in and out of practice, to allow me to sleep well, allow my digestion to feel ok and to feel just generally more healthy. I'm sure after last week, my fiance may confirm, yes she needs yoga, and will even tell me when I need yoga from now on. I feel my personality and patience has changed in life. I am definitely less pessimistic and find enjoyment with now, versus worrying or complaining about the future, but without the physical practice, my physical body suffers.

Stay healthy
Namaste

108 Sun Salutations

Yesterday Fireflow hosted 108 sun Salutations to raise money for Arthritis Research. It was during a yoga teacher training weekend so we all had no choice, we had to do it. I will admit I was abit frustrated I wasn't going to be having my led primary class, as I'm on a real role with my practice, but I was not really aware of the challenge ahead of me. I really didn't think that 108 sun salutations would be hard, because in my eyes now nothing is as disciplining as Ashtanga.

Why do 108 sun salutations?

There are many reasons why we choose the number 108, as its a sacred number in yoga, stemming from hinduism, buddism and  other religions. Malas, garlands and prayers come in a string of 108. There is usually a guru bead, and then the beads around can turn like planets. The beads are known as malas, which are used to count mantra's as they are repeated. These can be used to count as we perform the 108 sun salutations.

  In the Vedic culture mathematicians also define 108 as the wholeness of existence as the number connects the Sun, Moon and Earth. The average distance between our Sun is 108 times the diameter of Earth. 

In yoga there are 108 marma points (sacred) points on the body, and 108 sacred sites throughout India.

i have named only a few reasons but from this you can choose whichever reason you choose to do  this ritual, or combined all. But now 108 will always be a special number in my heart.

How did we do it? There were 6 sets of 18 sun salutations. Between each set we took a few minutes break. 

Set #1: Half sun salutations

Set # 2: Surya namaskar A (without holding downward dog)

Set #3: Surya namaskar A (with 5 breaths in downward dog)

Set #4: Surya namaskar  B (with 5 breaths in downward dog)

Set #5: Surya namaskar A (with holding down dog)

Set # 6: Half sun salutations

Well I may have been wrong. Not only is that many sun salutations hard, its mentally challenging as well. It's repetitive and requires discipline in all forms. In your physique, in your focus, and in your strength. Without that your practice would have been thrown off balance. Not at any point did I try to count, because knowing how far away I was from 108 would have got me frustrated. It was hard to stay focused on your asana's, particularly when holding downdog. However the moment your mind wonders the moment you loose rhythm and form. For the second round, we were stepping to the front of the mat versus jumping in, and then you had to think about which foot first, ensuring your legs were prepared enough to make the long step etc. 

The first set was challenging just in the fact of resisting fully throwing myself into the practice. Keeping knees slightly bent as the muscles warmed, and paying attention to bundhas and dristi.

We practiced the 4th round to music as it would help energize us and move with our rhythm. I made a bad mistake in noticing that I would have to do 36 dreaded Utkatasana's. But luckily once in the flow of Surynamaskar B my focus was on the breath and positioning of my body.

Without music there was such a cool meditative sense around the room. Everyone was so focused on the practice and the energy was strong. The breaths were in unison, which could no doubt keep anyone on track. I really believe without a class full of people this ritual would have been even more challenging.

During set 3 the yoga teacher trainees spoke through a full vinyasa, which was also pretty cool, it brought us together in unison. We bounced from one person to the next and no one seemed nervous at all, considering it was speaking out loud to a full class of people, versus just each other. Well done all of you.

So ultimately it was a great experience and really pleased that I had to do it. Now I know this is a fun thing to do, which I would do out of choice, and maybe one day teach. I think it's an excellent way to raise money as people could treat it as a sponsored event. The class is perfect for people of all levels, as it brings so much to everyone. Thanks Fireflow for hosting such a great event.

Check us out here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=rSJkkgbhDAI

Namaste!