Practice, and all IS coming

This may not seem like such a big deal to those amongs us who are working on keeping their legs in lotus as they drop from forearm balance into a tuck or those who are working on keeping their ankles solidly crossed behind their heads as they lift up from the floor in Dwi Pada. It won't even seem like much to people like me who are still working to get Supta Kurmasana to be a posture that you can get yourself into, as opposed to a moment in time where you lie there helplessly while some unseen person twists your floppy limbs into a pretzel.

But it IS a big deal to me. Back in 2005, when I started this blog, I thought that Marichyasana C was something only the most freakishly bendy people could do. I had no real idea of how I would ever get into it, myself. Even with help, my limbs wanted to snap apart like rubber bands. Now I am binding solidly, on good days at the wrists, even without an exorcism-like assist.

If you practice, things change. Generally speaking, you get a little bit better at things over time. Even more generally speaking, if you keep practicing, you certainly won't get worse at things (injuries aside). I can't think of many activities that present such a simple and endearing allure. Skiing, perhaps. It's been my experience, that every year brings improvements, although others who have been skiing since childhood claim that there is a peak and then a distinct downhill. I'll let you know. Running, definitely not. You just get slower over time. It's a given.

I'm in a loving the yoga moment, if you couldn't tell. And even though I don't have the picture to prove it, today, in my home practice (kids are on vacation..mama is stuck at home), I TOUCHED MY OWN FINGERS TOGETHER IN SUPTA KURMASANA. I was using a dog toy to help me get leverage - it was rope in the shape of a small ring. I easily grabbed opposite sides of the ring behind my back and then I extended my index fingers, and they touched! Yippee!!! Someday, I will, I will, I will be able to do Supta Kurmasana on my own. Not to jinx myself. But I really think that I will. And someday, I will also be able to get around my Garba Pindasana circle with less than 15 rolls.

I'm teaching my first Beginner's class tomorrow night and a bit nervous. It's probably the LEAST teaching I have ever had to do - just Ujaii and Surya Namaskar. No alignment. Just flow. It's a brilliant idea, really, to introduce Ashtanga to beginners by teaching them simply to link breath to movement. But I feel nervous because it's a prescribed thing I am teaching, as opposed to something free and open and improvisational like I normally teach.

If anyone wants to come, it's by donation at Ashtanga Yoga Shala at 7:15 tomorrow night. No hecklers please!

Oh, and monkey mind just remembered that the house MAY be under contract as soon as...TOMORROW. Finger crossed!!!!!!!!! All of you NYC Ashtangis who don't like having me in your practice space...Janice...?.........well you won't have to be dealing with me and my roving, nosy eyes much longer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YC