Jump Through and Jump Back

Yesterday's class was nice and relaxing, to be honest. And also humbling. I thought I could rock the class, but in reality my standing poses were jumpy, and my breathing were out of sync. I had promised myself to dedicate this practice at class to my breathing, but apparently I got lost in my own frustrations or effort or struggle that I sometimes hold my breath!

The teacher was focused on having us do the jump back. It was a Lolasana then swing through to Chaturangga. I tried many times but nothing happen. My feet would not sweep through. It was frustrating. I also want to try to do a jump through properly, but somehow my body would not move the way I envisioned it in my mind. I want my shoulders to get past my wrists so my legs could slide through, but well. Nothing happened.

I went back home and tried a few times to lift and swing but my body felt heavy. Same went for my jump through. I did not want to get too obsessed, so I made a promise to myself that I would practice the swing through between poses, and still practice the lolasana between each leg. I think the strength will come naturally.

David Swensen made me feel better:

The final bit of advice I have is to enjoy your practice regardless of the ability to jump through. We tend to place too much emphasis on the external aspects of the practice. These abilities are fleeting at best, and the "real" yoga is what we cannot see.

So my updated target for 2012:

1) master jump through and jump back

2) setu bandhasana and wheel correctly and without pain

3) bhujapidasana

Mysore? Watching the video made me feel intimidated. Maybe later.