Reports of my having left the cult are greatly exaggerated.
I still practice Ashtanga, even if I seem to barely ever write about it these days. Lately, I don't have much to say on the topic. I practice, most of the time. And when I do, it is usually good. Occasionally it is very very good. Occasionally, it is bad.
Progress on Primary is limited "primarily" to being able to jump into Tittibhasana for Bujupidasana and Kurmasana now. I finally figured out that I need to imagine sending energy into my toes in order to commit to it. Next step will be landing high enough on my arms that I can wrap my shins in instantly for Bujapidasana and sit right down and go right into Kurmasana. I expect that will take a long time. We shall see. No rush, as no one has ever asked me to do this. I just decided that since there is little else to work on as far as the asanas of Primary go, I might as well hone in on this transitional work.
Progress in backbending is being made in fits and starts, two steps forward, two steps back, two steps forward, one step back, two steps forward, three steps back and two steps forward once again. Mainly, I attribute any progress to the fact that I am walking on my hands in my backbends, forward and backward, and occasionally in circles.
Progress in Leg Behind Head (for me, Eka Pada Sirsasana only at this point) is being made a bit more reliably than in backbending. I am now able to keep my left foot behind my head without my hands, but it is kind of ugly. Still, progress is being made, and I attribute this to two factors: First, I am holding Shoulderstand and Halasana for 108 breaths (also Padmasana, Sirsasana and Savasana, okay not so much Savasana, but in theory...). This is really really stretching out my spine. Second, I am holding Dwi Pada with Hands in Prayer in the transition out of Supta Kurmasana, as well as Dwi Pada with the Lift, as WELL as Tittibhasana A before finding my way into bakasana and catvari.
So there you have it.
Still practicing.
YC
4 comments:
Who was doubting you?
I have an endless amount to say about yoga but that's just cause I have absolutely nothing going on. You must just be having a life.
Oh, just myself, Deb.
And having a life? Hmmm. Not so sure. More like blah blah blah kapotasana blah blah blah leg behind head blah blah blah and blah blah blah.
You might want to look into trying Anusara. I find the Anusara principles provide endless opportunities for improvement of every posture, even the ones I once thought were "easy" like Virabdrasana II. Add the spiritual component, and after two years of Anusara, there's no going back to Ashtanga for me, although I do love the vigor of the very aerobic vinyasa practice. Still, depending on the teacher, Anusara can be an equally sweaty, heart-pounding workout as well as a very calming, centering practice. I'm completely hooked. If you are ever down in Soho, check out Elena Brower at Virayoga.
Post a Comment