Friday, May 18, 2007

The headless headstand

For the incredulous of yesterday's post, tis true, I can do this. I have strength. So, for me, this took no "yoga" at all. For me, at present, all of the yoga is in surrendering and letting my teacher adjust my ankles into position in Supta Kurmasana.

"Do nothing," he said to me today.

"Meaning...?" I asked, my face smooshed against the floor, legs over shoulders, hands clasped behind my back.

"Don't do anything. Don't even point your toes."

"Oh, I know that's what you meant. I just mean, I don't know the meaning of 'do nothing'."

And with that, another day went by with me sailing easily, smoothly, delightfully even, through Primary all the way up to Supta K, straight-legged jump throughs, calm even breath, Bounty-free, even Mysore-rug free, only to stop dead in my tracks immediately thereafter (well, after a nice, looooooooong hands on cheeks Garba Pindasana followed by 13 or so rolls with my fingers glued to the top of my head...because why do 9 rolls when no one says I can't do 13, 14 or even 15 if I feel it's what my back needs to relax between Supta K and backbends...). If I don't learn to surrender soon, I am going to go old and grey before I get to do a "legal" Baddha Konasana at Shala X. Damn yoga. Damn life lessons. Damn. Damn. Damn. Not that I don't love it. But, damn.

Anyone have any 'ludes?

YC

15 comments:

Tiff said...

I think pulling up off my head at the end of practice is ten times harder any day than doing pinchu mayurasana. I'm totally worried I will flip over pulling up...

Anonymous said...

Well, I ALMOST accept this, Lauren, except I can't see ALL of your toes. I did say full body shot. :)

Anonymous said...

okay, and just to nitpick a little more, um, I think your head is supposed to be chin tucked.

eeyore said...

richard freeman has chin slightly tucked-in ( but his ass is not as cute:)

eeyore said...

ludes? yes.

Yoga Chickie said...

I just did what my teacher told me to do....

Reese Lamb said...

Don't worry YC!
You already are old and grey:)

Yoga Chickie said...

Yes, old and gray, as you can see in the photo, Jerry.

DebPC said...

I have no idea what all these people are talking about. Or maybe that's the Viognier. Anyway, looking at that photo reminds me of the dark and scary Forrest. But shoulderstand is one of my favorite poses--maybe because I can muscle my way into it!
I miss you!

Anonymous said...

i'm sorry, but it's kinda like pincha when you do it like that. I think you need to tuck the chin. I want to see a video--25 breaths minimum and then lift your chestnut off the ground. go on. I know you have the technology.

Yoga Chickie said...

Deb!! Miss you too! I keep getting emails about Estes Park 2007. Not sure if I could pull that off this year with the move. Are you thinking of going?

Laksmi, damnit, I think you are right. In fact, I asked my teacher, Lori, about it, and she said it does look like Pincha when I pull my chin up like that. Is it harder to do with the chin tucked? I will have to try it. But I can't imagine you would want to watch a video of me breathing 25 times.

Yoga Chickie said...

p.s....it took me WAY more than 25 breaths to get that photo just right. My camera has a feature that lets me set it clicking for 100 seconds at a time - so, I get into the pose and then just let it click away until it runs out of time.

Anonymous said...

yes, you must tuck. watch sharath do it--chin is always tucked. Raise up, gaze down the nose.

Anonymous said...

see my blog for example

Yoga Chickie said...

Oh, Laksmi...such a clever way to link back to one's own blog! Love it! Now, if only we could get a good blog war going...

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About Me

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Northern Westchester, New York, United States
I live by a duck pond. I used to live by the East River. I don't work. I used to work a lot. Now, not so much. I used to teach a lot of yoga. Now not so much. I still practice a lot of yoga though. A LOT. I love my kids, being outdoors, taking photos, reading magazines, writing and stirring the pot. Enjoy responsibly.

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