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!