You are doing something that is so good for you.
Coming here today was a great decision.
Thank yourself for coming here today.
You are stronger than you think you are. Don't give up on yourself.
No judgment, no attachment. . .
If you fall out, get back in. Don't give up.
Suffer 90 minutes in here so you don't suffer 90 years in life.
Smile. It's just yoga in a hot room.
Struggle more, try harder.
Find your edge and hold it.
Go where you haven't gone before in your practice. Go to a new place in your practice. If you stay in your comfort zone you'll never know what you can do.
This is supposed to be hard. It's supposed to be uncomfortable.
After this everything else seems easy.
Healing your body, using your body. . .
Day by day, millimeter by millimeter you are improving yourself, changing your body.
Focus on your breath.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Days Without Yoga
The realities of winter have have settled in like the snow over everything. Backaches from shoveling, head colds and snowstorms! These have kept me from yoga for four days now.
My lower back was so stiff and sore just getting in and out of a chair was a challenge. I was concerned that I had done some permanent damage, but after a couple of days it felt better (until the next storm). I have to admit that I was afraid of doing any stretching in yoga, that it might make it worse. Now I know it will pass and I will just have to be respectful that "my edge" is not where it usually is and not push too hard.
A cold laid me low as well- I felt too dizzy to drive, so no yoga again. Also, I broke my no-sick-days streak and feel disappointed about that. And of course the snow kept me away another day- along with everyone else. Finally, tonight I have a school obligation that can't be moved around so this is the fourth day without practice.
It has been about five months since I've gone for more than 2 days without practice, so it has been a good run. It is just necessary to adjust my expectations a bit, or perhaps let them go, doing what I can when I can. I plan to practice tomorrow evening and I know I'll appreciate it all the more for missing it these few days.
My lower back was so stiff and sore just getting in and out of a chair was a challenge. I was concerned that I had done some permanent damage, but after a couple of days it felt better (until the next storm). I have to admit that I was afraid of doing any stretching in yoga, that it might make it worse. Now I know it will pass and I will just have to be respectful that "my edge" is not where it usually is and not push too hard.
A cold laid me low as well- I felt too dizzy to drive, so no yoga again. Also, I broke my no-sick-days streak and feel disappointed about that. And of course the snow kept me away another day- along with everyone else. Finally, tonight I have a school obligation that can't be moved around so this is the fourth day without practice.
It has been about five months since I've gone for more than 2 days without practice, so it has been a good run. It is just necessary to adjust my expectations a bit, or perhaps let them go, doing what I can when I can. I plan to practice tomorrow evening and I know I'll appreciate it all the more for missing it these few days.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Working Out Emotional Stress in Class
It is amazing how much my emotional state can impact my practice. Different strong emotions produce very different results. When I'm angry, irritated or frustrated I tend to have a strong practice with lots of energy. As I move through the postures, I feel driven and strong- sometimes I think I even push myself too hard. I have to be careful not to overdo it. After class my frustration is definitely mollified, the problem- whatever it was- seems more manageable and less overwhelming.
Sadness is much harder to work through- it makes me feel weak and tired. It can be surprisingly dramatic; my muscles hurt and shake under much less effort than a usual class. I feel as though I just want to stay in savasana even during pranayama breathing. I want to cry and sometimes I do. Class seems to last forever- I just want it to be over. It takes tremendous effort to push through. Staying with my breath helps; letting feelings arise and drift away on their own helps. After class, I might have an emotional outburst on the way home, but it feels like a relief- like I've been holding on to something too tightly and then let it go.
The yoga seems to act as a catalyst for the processing of my emotions and giving those difficult emotions a place to burn up their energy.
Sadness is much harder to work through- it makes me feel weak and tired. It can be surprisingly dramatic; my muscles hurt and shake under much less effort than a usual class. I feel as though I just want to stay in savasana even during pranayama breathing. I want to cry and sometimes I do. Class seems to last forever- I just want it to be over. It takes tremendous effort to push through. Staying with my breath helps; letting feelings arise and drift away on their own helps. After class, I might have an emotional outburst on the way home, but it feels like a relief- like I've been holding on to something too tightly and then let it go.
The yoga seems to act as a catalyst for the processing of my emotions and giving those difficult emotions a place to burn up their energy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)