As we have rung in the New Year i'm sure many of you have set your resolutions. But as we know rarely many of those are kept or become a new way of life. Over Christmas I thought I would do a cleanse after the overindulging, but then cleansing in Winter when the temperature is already below -20 is the worst thing to do. In the cold months the body needs a good source to keep our ligaments safe, and keep us warm. So I have decided just to work on on eating what feels right, and eating what my body needs.
I've had a busy couple of months and I have missed,with all my heart, my regular yoga practice. I could feel myself getting into a slump, putting things off, as it had already been a certain amount of time since the last class, so what was another day or two.
Don't get me wrong, I was going to classes, but doing yoga once or twice a week is significantly different to the three to four times a week I have once known. There are so many reason's and excuses for this, but there are two that I kept going back to. You can't get anywhere in this city without a car, and I am currently sharing one, so if I'm not at work I'm at home. So I wanted to implement a home practice but we've had the most awful experience in rented accommodation which was not fit for even living let alone a yoga practice. I'm glad to say we are now out of that hole and moved into our own two storey home. I always thought I would be a condo girl, but having a house to be comfortable in is a very different feeling. Although still half moved in, with limited furniture with nowhere to empty some moving boxes, I am making the most of having so much space. The day we moved in (one week before christmas and three days before our trip back to England) I made a pact that I no longer had any excuses, I would be content with spending time in my home, and doing yoga.
I used to go to a studio in the mornings to practice Mysore. I would get up around 5am and head there before work. Mysore practice is famous for the dedication its practitioners follow, but I was never as good as some in the studio. I averaged going around 4 times a week, sometimes 5 if I could make a led primary class, but I knew people who were there 6 days a week. I again had the typical excuses not to go to class; I slept badly the night before, I couldn't get to bed until after 11pm due to all my other commitments, I had to teach in the morning so had to be at work extra early, I was sick, I was injured. People who don't do Mysore don't understand it. They are often quick to tell why you are damaging yourself, why you shouldn't be doing it, and I often would try to listen to why I was tired and blame that, not the thousand other reasons I know were the real problem. Until you've dived into the practice its hard to understand. I've always preferred to practice in the morning, and I always felt good for the rest of the day and I did see a change in myself once I took on the more regular practice but I wasn't implementing so many other yoga principles into my life. Going to a studio helps keep you focused and honest to your practice, plus you get some amazing adjustments ;-) I used to implement some home Mysore practice when I was away, when space would allow, but in my own one bed apartment with pets and other humans present it was hard. So now no excuses, I have the space, I have the time, let my home practice begins.
I will continue to attend a studio as I believe I need to find the right teacher, I still need to be guided and corrected, but I will be disciplined with myself and become my own teacher. Learn from the practice and what my body is telling with each day being so different.
So far I'm on day 2. Here's my experience so far:
Day 1- After a log time off I'm stiff especially my hamstrings and glutes, but also know this has something to do with the long travelling involved only two days before. I really struggle with my practice after flying or travelling, for quite a few days. I often experience pain and tightness in my glutes after sitting for any length of time, and doing yoga regularly helped me notice what happens to my body when I'm not active enough. I struggled to forward fold (so bent my knees) I struggled to balance (first time practicing in a carpeted room) and I struggled to maintain my drishti (gazing point) where I needed. What I did realize, I love Marichyasana A, yes this bind pose is my favourite asana of all others, and I love how vinyasa's keep the spine flexible and fluid. Since I stopped my regular practice I've often indicated the need to get my spine 'cracked', as I just feel stiff and restricted. I've been missing something and the moment I practiced I got addicted to the sensations I was feeling along my spine.
Day 2- It's a Sunday and after little sleep after being woken by external sources, I decided to get up and start straight away. I'm not sure this was the best idea. My arms struggled to support me in down dog, as they would shake and shiver. I had to put my knees down to prevent collapsing in my chaturanga so I generally felt weak. I tried not to over analyze, but modify anything I needed, and took out a few vinyasa's as no matter what I did I couldn't feel strong and do them well.
Tomorrow is a moon day, so maybe that indicates my lack of energy, so I will rest and hopefully it will be at a time useful for my body to restore, ready for the next stage of my home practice.
I've had a busy couple of months and I have missed,with all my heart, my regular yoga practice. I could feel myself getting into a slump, putting things off, as it had already been a certain amount of time since the last class, so what was another day or two.
Don't get me wrong, I was going to classes, but doing yoga once or twice a week is significantly different to the three to four times a week I have once known. There are so many reason's and excuses for this, but there are two that I kept going back to. You can't get anywhere in this city without a car, and I am currently sharing one, so if I'm not at work I'm at home. So I wanted to implement a home practice but we've had the most awful experience in rented accommodation which was not fit for even living let alone a yoga practice. I'm glad to say we are now out of that hole and moved into our own two storey home. I always thought I would be a condo girl, but having a house to be comfortable in is a very different feeling. Although still half moved in, with limited furniture with nowhere to empty some moving boxes, I am making the most of having so much space. The day we moved in (one week before christmas and three days before our trip back to England) I made a pact that I no longer had any excuses, I would be content with spending time in my home, and doing yoga.
I used to go to a studio in the mornings to practice Mysore. I would get up around 5am and head there before work. Mysore practice is famous for the dedication its practitioners follow, but I was never as good as some in the studio. I averaged going around 4 times a week, sometimes 5 if I could make a led primary class, but I knew people who were there 6 days a week. I again had the typical excuses not to go to class; I slept badly the night before, I couldn't get to bed until after 11pm due to all my other commitments, I had to teach in the morning so had to be at work extra early, I was sick, I was injured. People who don't do Mysore don't understand it. They are often quick to tell why you are damaging yourself, why you shouldn't be doing it, and I often would try to listen to why I was tired and blame that, not the thousand other reasons I know were the real problem. Until you've dived into the practice its hard to understand. I've always preferred to practice in the morning, and I always felt good for the rest of the day and I did see a change in myself once I took on the more regular practice but I wasn't implementing so many other yoga principles into my life. Going to a studio helps keep you focused and honest to your practice, plus you get some amazing adjustments ;-) I used to implement some home Mysore practice when I was away, when space would allow, but in my own one bed apartment with pets and other humans present it was hard. So now no excuses, I have the space, I have the time, let my home practice begins.
I will continue to attend a studio as I believe I need to find the right teacher, I still need to be guided and corrected, but I will be disciplined with myself and become my own teacher. Learn from the practice and what my body is telling with each day being so different.
So far I'm on day 2. Here's my experience so far:
Day 1- After a log time off I'm stiff especially my hamstrings and glutes, but also know this has something to do with the long travelling involved only two days before. I really struggle with my practice after flying or travelling, for quite a few days. I often experience pain and tightness in my glutes after sitting for any length of time, and doing yoga regularly helped me notice what happens to my body when I'm not active enough. I struggled to forward fold (so bent my knees) I struggled to balance (first time practicing in a carpeted room) and I struggled to maintain my drishti (gazing point) where I needed. What I did realize, I love Marichyasana A, yes this bind pose is my favourite asana of all others, and I love how vinyasa's keep the spine flexible and fluid. Since I stopped my regular practice I've often indicated the need to get my spine 'cracked', as I just feel stiff and restricted. I've been missing something and the moment I practiced I got addicted to the sensations I was feeling along my spine.
Day 2- It's a Sunday and after little sleep after being woken by external sources, I decided to get up and start straight away. I'm not sure this was the best idea. My arms struggled to support me in down dog, as they would shake and shiver. I had to put my knees down to prevent collapsing in my chaturanga so I generally felt weak. I tried not to over analyze, but modify anything I needed, and took out a few vinyasa's as no matter what I did I couldn't feel strong and do them well.
Tomorrow is a moon day, so maybe that indicates my lack of energy, so I will rest and hopefully it will be at a time useful for my body to restore, ready for the next stage of my home practice.
Abigail,
ReplyDeleteYou said "I would get up around 5 am "....I get tired READING that let alone actually DOING that!!! :)
Tim