Musings. and left out Navasana

I was excited to start Primary this morning. Maybe it's all the books I'm reading, or the high from yesterday's class, but I was looking forward to it.

 Everything was ok, my standing poses were strong, my focus were ok. My jump back is getting better, once i changed from exhaling when lifting to inhaling when lifting. My jump through has also improved, thank God cause I don't think I can survive another carpet burn on the outside of my left foot.

 I have forgotten to do Navasana! and it's when I'm in the shower that I remembered. So what do I do? Straight out of the shower, went and did 5 Navasana. Just because my abs needed the work. My Supta was better, need to not worry so much about my hair (really, now it sounds ridiculous) and work on getting the feet behind my head.

I wish Urdhva Dhanurasana would not feel that uncomfortable. I am trying now to work myself into 5 deep breaths for 3 counts instead of my ragged, harried 5 breaths. Maybe the next time it's 5 deep breaths for one round and then normal for the other 2. I need to do this because I am aware of the power of just pushing yourself through the hard ones. Who could forget the hard part of working my arms in the chaturangga to upward dog and then again in Lolasana? Hard work pays off. So longer, deeper wheel.

Recap

Wednesday:
 Yesterday was my comeback to Primary series after 4 days of leaving it. And since it's been a busy week, I literally have no energy. It was an intense practice, very technical. I was sweaty and hot and bothered and TIRED. Stopped until Janu sirsasana and I was glad for that. We did wheel and the finishing sequence and that was that.

 Friday: Full Primary
 It was good, but I was unbalanced and many things did not go right. My garbha was th eonly one I was happy for - could not even bind in Supta Kurmasana. I finished it fast and with no hanky panky.

 Saturday:
Vinyasa class It was cool! we did many variations of the arm balancing pose like Eka Pada Koundiyanasana I and II, one of which I kinda managed to nail- the one legged crow, etc. Gotta try that one out.

Restorative Monday

I realized that I am slowly embracing the yoga in my life - beyond the physical aspect. Yoga used to be a workout for me. I would get frustrated if I didn't sweat or ache from yoga. But now after reading into it for some time, yoga is much more than just asanas.

Yesterday was supposed to be my primary monday. But I had 6 injections done - for my overseas posting - and both my arms were achy and sore like the muscles are torn or something. Came back with no mood to even do primary, but my body was itching for some yoga.

So I listened to my body instead and worked on simple poses. Of course, this means I'd go to poses that I love - mainly the half moon pose (getting so much better in this I just cant believe it!) some warrior 1 and 2, Utkattasana, wall squat for leg strengthener. Then move on to my backbending sequence. Sphinx, Crocodile (for upper back), cobra.

I am now going to focus on opening my upper back as opposed to my lower back which will get work form wheel, etc. It's my thoracic spine that is stiff. I did the chair upper back pose and man, that was intense. But I believe I've improved a bit.

Feathered Peacock

I find it funny how the universe works. When your concious mind keeps on thinking about one thing - its keeps on appearing everywhere you look.

For me it is Pincha Mayurasana. You guys know how I managed to do that pose just last Thursday. It wasn't perfect nor was it lengthy, but it was enough for me to get the feel of being upside down of one of the most appealing poses that i have ever come across to. I guess it's really true what they say - when your mind is ready you will execute it.

Have been wondering how Pincha would feel like ever since I came across it months ago. I love the name - feathered peacock - and the elegance of that pose. I felt like trying it on a whim that Thursday because i felt strong, and because I wasn't really scared of falling that day. Needless to say, I am in love.

And ever since that Thursday, been coming across magazine articles, youtube videos and blog posts on Pincha. It's definitely more than just coincidental, the way it keeps popping up in front of my face in whatever I flip, click or read. It's amazing, and inspiring. Very. I feel like flipping one now just writing about it. But Ihave to be sensible. I do not want to overwork my arms.

My things to learn now though, is to keep my elbows from splaying out. I noticed it and have read about it enough that it is not a desirable effect you want while attempting to do pincha. I am going to try to practice with blocks this evening for my primary monday.

Anyway, I love how cycling warms up your body for Ashtanga. Did a 28k ride sunday, and came home to primary standing sequence. I contemplated doing a full one but since I'd be doing it on Monday I though I'd better be conservative.

Friday Primary

Friday morning was sweet. Practiced at the small studio that my teacher once told me about. Nobody was there when I came. I went ahead, warmed up by the heat.

My jump through, funnily enough, made sense when I stopped being too technical about it. I got tired of either banging my foot or roughly grazing them on the mat that I stopped thinking and 'arranging' my positions and just jumped. It went in smoother than I expected. One was almost perfect. My Garbha Pidasana was good. My Bhujapidasana made me worry - after the vinyasa I think too much weight is on my forehead. Need to seek advice about it. I need to figure out how to play with the weight so not all of it are on my head. And seriously one day when my hair isn't a hassle would love to work on the Supta Kurmasana.

My Dolphin is getting better. Technically, today was a good, solid, simple practice. I skipped Urdvha Padmasana because I didn't want to hassle my neck anymore. Fish was a normal non-ashtanga fish. My Shavasana was bliss...

Would definitely practice here again :)

Nailed Pincha!

I nailed Pincha Mayurasana! Only for one second and a half , and against the wall - but still. It took me several tries kicking up. I kicked up using right leg, which felt stronger. Nothing happened. My feet grazed the wall but my arms faltered, so I fell softly on my upper body. I tried kicking from my left leg - and voila! a forearm stand. Yeay!!

Core Salutations x2

Happy baby variation, engaging TA

Toe taps

Bridge

Dolphin

Forearm plank

Downward Dog

Lunge variation

Tadasana

Pincha (in place of handstand)

Then closed it with my usual backbends routine:

sphinx

baby cobra

cobra

locust

flying locust

half bow

camel against the wall

chair upper stretch

Shoulder stretches, extended puppy pose, funky bridge, thread the needle

rock the boat, bandha konasana, upavista konasana, pigeon pose

normal week

Tuesday:

Bad mood. Enough Said.

Core salutation x2

Core sequence:

Scissors,

half boat,

navasana,

lolasana.

bakasana

Backbends:

sphinx

baby cobra

cobra

half bow

half handstand.

Wednesday: A disturbing practice of the primary series. Disturbing being the mental state. I was distracted, a bit emotional, didnt know what got to me. I wasnt really into it, the lack of strength in lolasana and vinyasa showed. I was tired. Did not even finish it fully.

The only consolation was that my seated wide angle was better. Loves it!

Mooonday

Monday practice was a discovery. I love it when it comes to be like that.

Was feeling really really sluggish the whole day. Came back home from work and slept through Dusk. I hated that, because you ended up feeling more sluggish than ever, but time doesn't wait.

So I started. I told myself that I would not hate myself if I felt like stopping, that there's really no expectations in my practice.

My Lolasana was not as I expected it to be. Still failed to do the jump back, when I did it so beautifully the week before. My Chaturangga feels unorganized most of the times, didn't really pay attention to it because it would be very tiring if I did. This is wrong, I know, but I guess I'm still at that dumb period where it's quantity over quality.

The best thing comes in Urdhva Dhanurasana. It's the pose that I dread doing because I have to do it three times and stay for 5 breaths. Plus it hurts. I always dread this. But yesterday - the first time it was beautiful. I felt light, pain-free and open. It was easy to stay until 5 breaths. I couldn't believe it myself. The second and third time felt normal - with effort, and some discomfort. But it wasn't so bad.

I did Garbha three times. Because my breaths were uneven - exhaling to go up. Garbha was tiring, tiring for the arms, the core. It still didnt leave me satisfied, but I told myself to move on and get it the next time. Kukkutasana was slippery. The 'holes' on my arms too loose that I subconciously tighten my mula bandha (really? well, I think I did) to hold my legs up.

This time I practised half handstand, felt better. Modified headstand.

Jump through improving. Strength is cultivated.

Can't wait for tonight: Shakti kicks, core salutations and loads more!

Sunday Dwelling

I contemplated doing my ashtanga today since it's a Sunday and I totally rested saturday. But because I woke up late and schedules were conflicting... well, it isnt that... I could have practiced but the left upper shoulder is feeling sort of twangy and I do not want to push it.

What I did though was the normal forearm plank for 1:10 and adding the full side plank (10 seconds each). I am also currently obsessed with the handstand though... because it is the new inversion I am obsessed with. I want to practice kicking up against the wall but I don't know if my arms and shoulders are strong enough... do not want to ruing the steady progress. I want to do the crazy dog but it was so hard cause my feet keeps on slipping against the wall! Argh the downfall of sweaty feet. So what I did today:

Bakasana practice.

Supported headstand.

Half Moon pose - getting stronger with this. Practice does make perfect.

Crazy dog whereever possible.

Still trying to do more today.

Wednesday-Friday

Wednesday: Teacher sprang a surprise on us in the class - we're going to do the second series. To be honest, I voted for it when she wanted our consensus. I've been curious with the second series because I think it's normal at some points of doing your primary and its 90% there (in my humble opinion... of course, it is only my opinion) and you start wondering if you're fit enough to do second series. My teacher said you can do second series if you can do the dropbacks - which I still can't - but it didn't stop me from wanting to know more anyway.

So second series - it was TIRING! Very much so. I think it has do to with the backbends. I did well the first few poses, but stop after Uttrasana. The side twists were actually simpler than I expected, and the Bakasana, thank god was ok. The Dhanurasanas were good too. I was able to manage that.

The most fun part was the Eka Pada Sirsasana and Dwi Pada. I think I like the complexities and challenge of that pose. My right hip is muuuch more open than my left, that's for sure. The Titibhasana was fun too. I couldn't really do up to C, but it was fun trying. The rest of the poses I spent watching and admiring.

Thursday: I was so tired, went back home and fell asleep. Woke up to shower before bed, thought to myself, why not do yoga, if only for 10 minutes.

I did:

2 core salutations

the align your spine sequence (happy baby, lots of rolling and side twists)

Sphinx

baby cobra and cobra

locust

half bow

Dhanurasana

Half Moon pose

Uttrasana against the wall

Dolphin pose - variation, this time to strengthen my shoulder girdle: feet near the body, arms in headstand position, shoulders relaxed. This is a killer. Staying for 5 deep breaths is HARD.

Headstand with prop. This was nice.

I did Prayanama exercises as well, and 2 minutes of meditation. And finally Shavasana.

Today's Intro: really nice cause my teacher introduced some new variations - the funky bridge - lay on my stomach with right arm to the side, rolling towards the right side, left hand reaching back to clasp with right (quite hard and intense) and then with your legs in bridge arrangement, you lift your butt up.

The counterstretch would be laying on your stomach with your arms crossing in front of your chest and reaching or pulling outwards, while you lie your head on the floor. Feels really nice.

I failed to do a handstand. Could not kick up. Need to practice this many many many times.

Home Practicess

Monday Primary: It was good, but surprisingly the practice tires me OUT. Maybe it was due to jetlag, but I found myself pausing in between sides after Mary D onwards. Bhujapidasana tires me out. Still can't do the smooth flow to put my chin on the floor without stepping my feet on it. My Garbha Pidasana was skewy, and unorganized, so I did it twice. Sometimes I lost count how many rolls I did. I'm trying to do the rolls without losing contact of my hands to my head. My Upavistha Konasana has improved, can nearly lower down my body to the floor. My Supta Konasana vinyasa has also improved! Thank You Allah SWT :) I also did the modified Headstand using blocks. It felt goood.

Tuesday: I had to rush for dinner so what I did was the Core salutations I got from Sadie Nardini and it was AWESOME! It really worked my body and I was hot and sweaty after doing only 2 reps. Plus I love that she explains what these poses are good for and what it would improve for us, like the coreplanks for our jump through. It makes me want to do it often and more.

Back to classes tonight!