The ebb and flow of the body is a funny thing. After the rest day yesterday, my body has decided to drop back a bit. It will come back up again I'm sure, but today was difficult. No Marichyasana binds in B or C, I couldn't hold Navasana or Kukkutasana, and there were no jumps-through or Urdhva Dhanurasanas. Yikes. It will all come back, I'm sure.
Still it was a fun practice, I do love these classes. Today was the first class with daylight savings, and it was certainly different doing class with light streaming through the windows. It was like this when I first started with Coco, and it feels quite nice. Kind of like I've come full circle since beginning, and I'm about ready to move onto the next phase of my ashtanga journey.
On another note, I'm going to take down the moon-phase gadget on the left hand side of the blog. It makes the blog take too long to load.
Monday, April 8, 2013
Yoga Myths
I'm going to write a few posts on some of the yoga myths perpetuated around yoga studios. Ashtangis seem to be some of the worst offenders, and I've heard some shocking urban yoga myths.
To help with the mainstream acceptance of Ashtanga Yoga, we need to remove some of the obstacles that stop more people from partaking in our wonderful activity. I've heard all sorts of things about yoga: Whether they be based around the clothes you 'have' to wear or the equipment you have to use. About the origins of yoga, and traditions. Especially about the powers, and benefits of yoga.
This will be fun, and hopefully I'll learn a few things along the way.
To help with the mainstream acceptance of Ashtanga Yoga, we need to remove some of the obstacles that stop more people from partaking in our wonderful activity. I've heard all sorts of things about yoga: Whether they be based around the clothes you 'have' to wear or the equipment you have to use. About the origins of yoga, and traditions. Especially about the powers, and benefits of yoga.
This will be fun, and hopefully I'll learn a few things along the way.
The Mat and the Sociopath
I love my mat. It's not my first. My first was a walmart special, almost an inch thick, and soft. Perfect for when I was just starting, cradling my spine from the hard floor. There came a moment though, about three months ago [edit, now 6 months], when Coco finally said "That's not a mat. Spend the money, get a Manduka" I didn't, and a week later she said "I'm not letting you back into class until you buy a proper mat". Well that settled it. I got my sexy purple Manduka, and have never looked back.
I wrote this post back in mid-December, then decided not to post it. It's critical of someone with whom I live. However considering that I'm leaving the country in a couple of weeks, I think it's ok. (Yes, it's true, I'm leaving my dear Mexico.)
I live with a sociopath, who also suffers from narcissistic personality disorder. I've learnt a lot about myself living with her. Living with that much hate in the house, seeing all the spiteful things she would say and do, it used to affect me. I used to get upset, always trying to make amends, no matter what she did. I used to believe that I needed to live "in harmony" with the people around me. It was an expression of me trying to control the uncontrollable. I didn't like to be around her, and I didn't like seeing all the things she did to try to have power over me. Thus her mere existance was affecting my happiness.
Many years ago, I worked in a charity "The Spastic Centre" for sufferers of cerebral palsy. Originally it was difficult, I couldn't hep but 'notice' the sufferers. But eventually they just became part of the scenery. I remember once seeing a young man shit on himself, cry out "I did poopoo" and he was really proud of what he'd done. I was used to interacting with sufferers by that stage, but that sort of experience is always going to be a shock. It was at once funny, but at the same time, I pitied him a little.
Towards late December, the same thing happened with the sociopath. No she didn't shit on herself. I decided that she didn't matter anymore Suddenly I stopped noticing when she was in the room, and the things she did stopped affecting me. I know she noticed a change and redoubled her efforts, but to no avail. The loss of control had upset her. Though I have never even uttered a single unkind word to her, she now cannot be in the same room as me. Not only this, but when she tries something outrageous, I have that same little reaction of laughter tinged with a little pity. I see these things in total detatchment, and a second later the observation has passed, not to re-enter my thoughts. So much so, that only because I was cleaning my mat today, did I remember to finish this post, more than three months later. It was like I was a boat, and her negativity was the water around me. As long as I didn't let the water into the boat, I wouldn't sink. Now more than three months later, and still, I am still floating.
Back to the mat story. My housemate owned a couple of dogs, Mia and Coco. They are confind to a portion of the house as well as the garden, as we set-up rules when we moved in. Now obviously for someone with these personality disorders, following such rules is just not going to happen. She taught the dogs to go upstairs, and into my room. At one stage while I was on holiday, even locking them upstairs, where they tore apart the terrace, and managed to eat my doorframe. How does this relate to my mat? Well it's now chewed. And the mat for me is now a souvenir, a reminder of what I've learned, and how far I've come. Now, strangely, I find myself thanking her for what she's taught me. Gracias, and Namaste.
I wrote this post back in mid-December, then decided not to post it. It's critical of someone with whom I live. However considering that I'm leaving the country in a couple of weeks, I think it's ok. (Yes, it's true, I'm leaving my dear Mexico.)
I live with a sociopath, who also suffers from narcissistic personality disorder. I've learnt a lot about myself living with her. Living with that much hate in the house, seeing all the spiteful things she would say and do, it used to affect me. I used to get upset, always trying to make amends, no matter what she did. I used to believe that I needed to live "in harmony" with the people around me. It was an expression of me trying to control the uncontrollable. I didn't like to be around her, and I didn't like seeing all the things she did to try to have power over me. Thus her mere existance was affecting my happiness.
Many years ago, I worked in a charity "The Spastic Centre" for sufferers of cerebral palsy. Originally it was difficult, I couldn't hep but 'notice' the sufferers. But eventually they just became part of the scenery. I remember once seeing a young man shit on himself, cry out "I did poopoo" and he was really proud of what he'd done. I was used to interacting with sufferers by that stage, but that sort of experience is always going to be a shock. It was at once funny, but at the same time, I pitied him a little.
Towards late December, the same thing happened with the sociopath. No she didn't shit on herself. I decided that she didn't matter anymore Suddenly I stopped noticing when she was in the room, and the things she did stopped affecting me. I know she noticed a change and redoubled her efforts, but to no avail. The loss of control had upset her. Though I have never even uttered a single unkind word to her, she now cannot be in the same room as me. Not only this, but when she tries something outrageous, I have that same little reaction of laughter tinged with a little pity. I see these things in total detatchment, and a second later the observation has passed, not to re-enter my thoughts. So much so, that only because I was cleaning my mat today, did I remember to finish this post, more than three months later. It was like I was a boat, and her negativity was the water around me. As long as I didn't let the water into the boat, I wouldn't sink. Now more than three months later, and still, I am still floating.
Back to the mat story. My housemate owned a couple of dogs, Mia and Coco. They are confind to a portion of the house as well as the garden, as we set-up rules when we moved in. Now obviously for someone with these personality disorders, following such rules is just not going to happen. She taught the dogs to go upstairs, and into my room. At one stage while I was on holiday, even locking them upstairs, where they tore apart the terrace, and managed to eat my doorframe. How does this relate to my mat? Well it's now chewed. And the mat for me is now a souvenir, a reminder of what I've learned, and how far I've come. Now, strangely, I find myself thanking her for what she's taught me. Gracias, and Namaste.
Rest Day
Ahhh finally, a day off.
Instead of yoga, I got up and watched Paris-Roubaix, and saw a thrilling win by Fabian Cancellara. I walked up to see the Collossio markets, I had a nap, I went and visited some friends, and I might have snuck in just a few headstands.
You may have noticed a quiet little post in Spanish mid-week. Well why not? I might post in French soon too. I say let's do it! Give a little colour here.
A friend came over and saw my room the other day. She said "look at your room, you're such an ascetic". I was eating M&Ms at the time, a perfect rebuttal of my supposed asceticism, but really, my room is just what it is. Here's a pic.
I have my bed, my mat, a hammock and a fan. Really I don't think I need anything else. I think my room looks nice, it's certainly the cleanest and nicest smelling room in the house.
Instead of yoga, I got up and watched Paris-Roubaix, and saw a thrilling win by Fabian Cancellara. I walked up to see the Collossio markets, I had a nap, I went and visited some friends, and I might have snuck in just a few headstands.
You may have noticed a quiet little post in Spanish mid-week. Well why not? I might post in French soon too. I say let's do it! Give a little colour here.
A friend came over and saw my room the other day. She said "look at your room, you're such an ascetic". I was eating M&Ms at the time, a perfect rebuttal of my supposed asceticism, but really, my room is just what it is. Here's a pic.
I have my bed, my mat, a hammock and a fan. Really I don't think I need anything else. I think my room looks nice, it's certainly the cleanest and nicest smelling room in the house.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Gooood Morning!
Eight led classes in Seven days! The experiment is over. A fun, hardworking experiment it has been too. The results are in, and it seems to have been a positive experience so far. I managed my first Urdhva Dhanurasana, and escaped without any injuries. I feel strong and healthy. The tiredness I was feeling on Thursday has gone, and all is good.
Today was a bit tougher. It was cold in the jungle shala. As well as that, my body is a little less open at 8am, so things don't stretch like they usually do. Thus there were no Marichyasana binds, and a few other poses were soft and forgiving, rather than pushing to the limit with the breath. Still, it was a good class, and I'm looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
Today was a bit tougher. It was cold in the jungle shala. As well as that, my body is a little less open at 8am, so things don't stretch like they usually do. Thus there were no Marichyasana binds, and a few other poses were soft and forgiving, rather than pushing to the limit with the breath. Still, it was a good class, and I'm looking forward to a rest day tomorrow.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Urdhva Dhanurasana
Normal programming has resumed at the shala. We had about 18 in class, a much more relaxed number, and I was able to swing my arms out to the side in the the Surya Namaskaras, not up in front.
Tonight I managed my first genuine Urdhva Dhanurasana. I have to say, it was quite fun. Normally I manage to creep off the ground with a whole lot of effort, and strain up there until the 5-count is over, before relaxing down to get my breath back. Today it was easier however. Coco let us go on our own timing, and that really helped. I went up three times, and at one stage Coco came over and stood on my hands to stop them slipping. This was amazing, as I could focus on my legs and really push down through my heels, enabling my arms to almost straighten.
There were also some really nice Paschimottanasana adjustments. Not since Karla's classes have I had such nice adjustments in Paschimottanasana. I've lost a bit of flexibility there though. I can't quite get forward at the hips like a could a little while ago.
In Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana first side I was able to hold my foot for a couple of seconds again. That makes twice now, all good news.
Tonight I managed my first genuine Urdhva Dhanurasana. I have to say, it was quite fun. Normally I manage to creep off the ground with a whole lot of effort, and strain up there until the 5-count is over, before relaxing down to get my breath back. Today it was easier however. Coco let us go on our own timing, and that really helped. I went up three times, and at one stage Coco came over and stood on my hands to stop them slipping. This was amazing, as I could focus on my legs and really push down through my heels, enabling my arms to almost straighten.
There were also some really nice Paschimottanasana adjustments. Not since Karla's classes have I had such nice adjustments in Paschimottanasana. I've lost a bit of flexibility there though. I can't quite get forward at the hips like a could a little while ago.
In Ardha Baddha Padma Paschimottanasana first side I was able to hold my foot for a couple of seconds again. That makes twice now, all good news.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Cansado
Hoy estaba la primera vez
que tenía que relajarme después de una clase de Coco. Con seis clases de
seguir en cinco días, estoy jodido. La clase estaba una seria normal,
pero tan difícil esta noche.
Tengo que prestar atención a comer más y dormir más. Hay dos días que quedan hasta mi día de descansar.
Tengo que prestar atención a comer más y dormir más. Hay dos días que quedan hasta mi día de descansar.
The stolen phone
It seems there may be a few thieving yoginis in our Shala. Marielle had her iPhone stolen today in class. I know nothing of the theif other than she is female. Hugo and I were the only males in class, and Hugo didn't go up to the desk where Marielle's bag was. She has that "track my phone" thing on her phone, so she might get it back. Lets hope.
We had 26 there tonight. I counted two before I started, but was corrected by Hugo who said we had 26. I'm not sure, because I usually hit a bit of pranayama before the session. There were a few first timers that left the shala before the end of the session, it can get quite hot and sweaty when it's packed.
The series was really good. My legs were stiff in standing, but I think that's because I've had so many led classes lately. I've had five in four days. Though not quite a personal record, it's certainly giving my legs a workout. seated was the real specialty though. I had my best seated ever! On the first side of ardha baddha padma paschimottanasana, I bound for about two full seconds before my silly fat toe slipped out from between my stumpy fingers. The second side is nowhere near, but that's a left hip thing, and a work in progress. I'm really looking forward to that bind, mostly because it's a step towards ardha baddha padmottanasana, and that one looks really fun! The Marichyasanas were good too. I bound quite easily in B and C on both side, though they were almost all finger-stretching efforts.
Another led class tomorrow, so it's time to sleep.
We had 26 there tonight. I counted two before I started, but was corrected by Hugo who said we had 26. I'm not sure, because I usually hit a bit of pranayama before the session. There were a few first timers that left the shala before the end of the session, it can get quite hot and sweaty when it's packed.
The series was really good. My legs were stiff in standing, but I think that's because I've had so many led classes lately. I've had five in four days. Though not quite a personal record, it's certainly giving my legs a workout. seated was the real specialty though. I had my best seated ever! On the first side of ardha baddha padma paschimottanasana, I bound for about two full seconds before my silly fat toe slipped out from between my stumpy fingers. The second side is nowhere near, but that's a left hip thing, and a work in progress. I'm really looking forward to that bind, mostly because it's a step towards ardha baddha padmottanasana, and that one looks really fun! The Marichyasanas were good too. I bound quite easily in B and C on both side, though they were almost all finger-stretching efforts.
Another led class tomorrow, so it's time to sleep.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Yoga Shala 38
Last night was the first time I've ever visited Yoga Shala 38. I've done a class with Mark and Ilena before, but never at their studio. It was another led class with Coco, she'll be leading classes there for the next few weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The shala is a really pretty place. There were candles, and nice decor. The other students were mostly familiar faces. There was also a lot more space, and so I could do a few jumps-through. Usually at the other shala I can't jump through, because my feet would break the windows!
I did my best ever Kukkutasana. I went up on the second attempt, and stayed up for a full ten breaths. More hip openers needed for this one though.
I think I've fallen in love with Savasana. Is that possible? I think so. Every time I fall into Savasana, I just feel a complete relaxation that takes over my whole body. Bliss.
The shala is a really pretty place. There were candles, and nice decor. The other students were mostly familiar faces. There was also a lot more space, and so I could do a few jumps-through. Usually at the other shala I can't jump through, because my feet would break the windows!
I did my best ever Kukkutasana. I went up on the second attempt, and stayed up for a full ten breaths. More hip openers needed for this one though.
I think I've fallen in love with Savasana. Is that possible? I think so. Every time I fall into Savasana, I just feel a complete relaxation that takes over my whole body. Bliss.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Packed led class
One thing I absolutely love is a packed class! The air gets thick and hard to breathe, the windows steam up and then droplets run down them from top to bottom. Pools of sweat collect on and around everybodys mats. Mats are so close that they're almost touching, so in some poses you feel the different textures of your neighbours' mats and towels. Best of all is the ujjai breathing. it's so loud that it's a cocophany of sound, echoing of the walls. It always starts together, but as each vinyasa moves on, the breaths go out of time, and there's just a costant hissing like night-time rain.
We had 22 packed into that tiny room today. I think the record is 28!
Coco adjusted me into Gharba Pindasana and almost flipped! She was trying to pull my hands through past my elbows, but when she grabbed my arms and legs she cried out "Nico your body is so hard". A few people around laughed, so she clarified "No, like the muscles... Your whole body is rock hard!" Well yes Coco, that's why yoga is so difficult for me. Mostly due to my triathlon training I think, my body is literally like rock to touch. It has its benefits. For example, I don't bruise easily, and I'm amazingly strong, without having to carry around extra kilos of muscle tissue. But one of the downsides is flexibility. I am still unable to touch my toes with my legs straight, unless I throw down a few Suriya Namaskaras! Also, my progress with yoga is painfully slow.
My standing series is getting stronger. I really like the standing series, and would consider doing it every morning when I wake up if I didn't have to wake up so early. Also, I hear it's not good to do two ashtanga sessions in one day.
We had 22 packed into that tiny room today. I think the record is 28!
Coco adjusted me into Gharba Pindasana and almost flipped! She was trying to pull my hands through past my elbows, but when she grabbed my arms and legs she cried out "Nico your body is so hard". A few people around laughed, so she clarified "No, like the muscles... Your whole body is rock hard!" Well yes Coco, that's why yoga is so difficult for me. Mostly due to my triathlon training I think, my body is literally like rock to touch. It has its benefits. For example, I don't bruise easily, and I'm amazingly strong, without having to carry around extra kilos of muscle tissue. But one of the downsides is flexibility. I am still unable to touch my toes with my legs straight, unless I throw down a few Suriya Namaskaras! Also, my progress with yoga is painfully slow.
My standing series is getting stronger. I really like the standing series, and would consider doing it every morning when I wake up if I didn't have to wake up so early. Also, I hear it's not good to do two ashtanga sessions in one day.
Yoga y Comida Cruda en la Selva
Sunday was a day of yoga and raw food in the jungle. I was thinking of writing this post in Spanish, but then my laziness got the best of me, and instead I've got some Spanish music playing while I type. Same thing... ish.
It started early, and there were a few people there that I knew from other classes. We all headed off together and first up was a primary series. I'm glad we did this first, because I was eager to get a primary series happening. I spent the two days beforehand in Tulum (a nearby town) and wasn't able to practice. That'd been the first time since Canada that I've had two consecutive days off yoga, and I felt a bit stiff.
Primary was good. I'm writing this a few days later now, so I can't really remember how it went. Yet I can say that on the second side of Parivritta Parsvakonasana, I nolonger have to do the modified position with my hands in mudra, but can actually touch the floor. The first side is still modified, but that'll come with time.
After primary we went inside and had a green juice, then headed back out to the shala to do some pranayama. I'm not sure of the name of the pranayama, but it was one of the hypoxic ones. That was fun. I really like pranayama, it always seems to relax me well. After that we did a meditation.
Then we did some more yoga. Sun salutations to start, with a vinyasa-flow kind of twist, followed by some arm balances. The arm balances started off fun, with Bakasana. The next though weren't possible for me due to my tight hips and hamstrings. I'd really like to do some more arm balances, because they're fun! Unfortunately the Ashtanga ones tend to require flexibility.
Next up we chanted the Gayantri mantra 108 times. That was really cool. It was relaxing and fun, but by the time it was over I was really hungry, so it was good that the food was next. The food was amazing. It was a broader definition of raw food than I have myself, but still, very healthy and delicious.
It started early, and there were a few people there that I knew from other classes. We all headed off together and first up was a primary series. I'm glad we did this first, because I was eager to get a primary series happening. I spent the two days beforehand in Tulum (a nearby town) and wasn't able to practice. That'd been the first time since Canada that I've had two consecutive days off yoga, and I felt a bit stiff.
Primary was good. I'm writing this a few days later now, so I can't really remember how it went. Yet I can say that on the second side of Parivritta Parsvakonasana, I nolonger have to do the modified position with my hands in mudra, but can actually touch the floor. The first side is still modified, but that'll come with time.
After primary we went inside and had a green juice, then headed back out to the shala to do some pranayama. I'm not sure of the name of the pranayama, but it was one of the hypoxic ones. That was fun. I really like pranayama, it always seems to relax me well. After that we did a meditation.
Then we did some more yoga. Sun salutations to start, with a vinyasa-flow kind of twist, followed by some arm balances. The arm balances started off fun, with Bakasana. The next though weren't possible for me due to my tight hips and hamstrings. I'd really like to do some more arm balances, because they're fun! Unfortunately the Ashtanga ones tend to require flexibility.
Next up we chanted the Gayantri mantra 108 times. That was really cool. It was relaxing and fun, but by the time it was over I was really hungry, so it was good that the food was next. The food was amazing. It was a broader definition of raw food than I have myself, but still, very healthy and delicious.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Thursday, March 28, 2013
50 Posts
I just noticed that my last post was my 50th. Yay! As yet there are no viewers of the blog, but all in time. It's going to take a while I think for me to step out of my own practice enough to write stuff that is useful to other people, but for the moment, I'm cool with being where I am. Speaking of which, I think it's about time I recorded another video of me performing the primary series. I've had some improvement in some areas since the last time I recorded, but interestingly, not the areas I expected. That is the beauty of yoga!
Tuesday was a moon day, and I was a litle uncomfortable with the day off. I almost did yoga anyway, but ended up running out of time, so 'observed the moon day' like a good yogi. Heehee
After the rest, I had a really good practice. The Marichyasanas came back to me for some reason. They really do what the want to do, and they chose to come back today for some completely random reason. Very strange. I absolutely love binding in B and C. If I bind in B and C, at the end of the practice I feel all warm and free and happy.
Kukkutasana I managed again. This is getting better. The main issue is hip tightness causing a poor lotus. I think the strength to lift up is there, and the balance is just practice. So when the hips open up a little more, it should be a litle more comfortable.
For the first time I was able to grab my toe in one side of Trikonasana. That's new, because normally I can't reach. There's also a different sensation involved there. Lastly, in some of the Marichyasanas, I was leaving my foot in half lotus, and then kicking it out as I was jumping back. Although still not a proper jump-back, it's an improvement, and quite exciting.
Tuesday was a moon day, and I was a litle uncomfortable with the day off. I almost did yoga anyway, but ended up running out of time, so 'observed the moon day' like a good yogi. Heehee
After the rest, I had a really good practice. The Marichyasanas came back to me for some reason. They really do what the want to do, and they chose to come back today for some completely random reason. Very strange. I absolutely love binding in B and C. If I bind in B and C, at the end of the practice I feel all warm and free and happy.
Kukkutasana I managed again. This is getting better. The main issue is hip tightness causing a poor lotus. I think the strength to lift up is there, and the balance is just practice. So when the hips open up a little more, it should be a litle more comfortable.
For the first time I was able to grab my toe in one side of Trikonasana. That's new, because normally I can't reach. There's also a different sensation involved there. Lastly, in some of the Marichyasanas, I was leaving my foot in half lotus, and then kicking it out as I was jumping back. Although still not a proper jump-back, it's an improvement, and quite exciting.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Bye bye Mary
I have to say, Marichyasana has finally gone. Again today in the led class I could only bind in the As. I'm sure there's a reason for it, but it's a bit frustrating to lose them when they felt so good a few weeks ago in Karla's classes. There's an ebb and flow here, and apart from the Michael Gannon mishap, I have had mostly flow with only the occasional ebb. Lets home the flow comes back and I get B and C binding again.
I was the only guy in class today, and there were about twenty women. I have no idea why the other guys didn't turn up. Maybe there was a 'secret men's meeting' today, and I didn't get the memo. Usually we're about one third guys, and sometimes more guys than girls. I really hope we get more guys in the class, a bit more equal would be better. I don't like the 'yoga is for girls' stereotype.
Again I managed Kukkutasana today, though this time only with Coco's adjustment. The rest of the class kept on with Baddakonasana while I was helped up into Kukkutasana. At the moment I have to pull my arms out a little bit in order to get up. In this vid, Lino Miele seems to be able to kind of push himself up into the position without needing to rock his bodyweight forward. Hmmm, more practice required.
Savasana was great, really relaxing. I love Savasana.
I was all excited last week when Coco said that she'd be teaching on Tuesdays and Thursdays, only one block from my house. Unfortunately in class she said she'd be delaying this a week because of the advent of Semana Santa. That kind of sucks because it means I'll only get a couple of weeks of her practice there, but still, I'll just have to enjoy my afternoons off to visit friends instead. heehee.
I was the only guy in class today, and there were about twenty women. I have no idea why the other guys didn't turn up. Maybe there was a 'secret men's meeting' today, and I didn't get the memo. Usually we're about one third guys, and sometimes more guys than girls. I really hope we get more guys in the class, a bit more equal would be better. I don't like the 'yoga is for girls' stereotype.
Again I managed Kukkutasana today, though this time only with Coco's adjustment. The rest of the class kept on with Baddakonasana while I was helped up into Kukkutasana. At the moment I have to pull my arms out a little bit in order to get up. In this vid, Lino Miele seems to be able to kind of push himself up into the position without needing to rock his bodyweight forward. Hmmm, more practice required.
Savasana was great, really relaxing. I love Savasana.
I was all excited last week when Coco said that she'd be teaching on Tuesdays and Thursdays, only one block from my house. Unfortunately in class she said she'd be delaying this a week because of the advent of Semana Santa. That kind of sucks because it means I'll only get a couple of weeks of her practice there, but still, I'll just have to enjoy my afternoons off to visit friends instead. heehee.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Photo reblog
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Vinyasa Flow with Karla
The plan was to go and do a Mysore class with Coco in Puerto Morelos. I was even trying to organise a lift up there to make it an easier morning. In the end my lift fell through, and I got a message from Karla saying that she'd be teaching a Vinyasa Flow class. So I dropped the idea of heading up the coast, and instead went and did Karla's class.
It was fun. It certainly wasn't Ashtanga. It was very easy to get through, but I think that's what I wanted on a Saturday morning. Karla is an awesome teacher, and included a lot of Ashtanga style vinyasas during the class. It was just a perfect Saturday morning!
It was fun. It certainly wasn't Ashtanga. It was very easy to get through, but I think that's what I wanted on a Saturday morning. Karla is an awesome teacher, and included a lot of Ashtanga style vinyasas during the class. It was just a perfect Saturday morning!
Yin Yoga
I signed up to a free trial at yogaglo.com. I've been looking for something to improve my flexibility. I did a couple of the classes, but unfortunately they didn't seem to do anything. I think I'm a little too tightly strung for Yin yoga. It was still a fun process. I made a couple of yoga blocks by taping books together, and got some nice relaxation going for a couple of hours. I might try it again just to make sure that it's not for me, because I'm still looking for something to improve my flexibility. Shoulders and hips are the real weaknesses at the moment. I need to open them up for a few poses.
Kukkutasana
I managed Kukkutasana! It was a normal sort of session, unfortunately my muscles were a bit tighter, and so I didn't manage to bind in Marichyasana B or C. Yet in Kukkutasana I went straight up and stayed. It was lovely. I stayed there for at least ten breaths, I was so happy to be up there. I think the difference is that I've been preparing mentally for it. I've been watching some videos on youtube, and the trick was to really pull my arms right down through up to the elbows. That seems to be the trick, and I'll be working on being able to close my hip angle in the lotus position, to enable me to really get my arms through without too much difficulty.
It's really lovely to have a new posture come at me like that. It was a bit of a surprise, but shows that wherever I put my energy, I seem to get improvement.
It's really lovely to have a new posture come at me like that. It was a bit of a surprise, but shows that wherever I put my energy, I seem to get improvement.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Blog name change
Time for a name change on this blog.
For a few months now I have been "N and Yoga - Ashtanga Blog". It's served me well, but I'm going to change the title for a couple of reasons. Firstly I'd like something that is easier to explain as an address to my friends, at the moment there is a hyphen, and that's annoying. Secondly, I'd like to be more searchable in google. "N and Yoga" isn't really a good search term. My relationship with yoga has reached a stage where I'm prepared for a couple of my friends and family to see this blog. Thirdly, I'd like to put my name in the blog. I'm putting my Spanish name in the blog. I don't know if I'll regret this later, because I'm only known as "Nico" here in Mexico, whereas in other countries I'm known by other names, but that's a thought for a later date. So it's going to be "Ashtanga Nico" instead. By including my name, I"m also taking more ownership of this blog. It'll be a little less anonymous. So from n-yoga.blogspot.com to ashtanganico.blogspot.com.
For a few months now I have been "N and Yoga - Ashtanga Blog". It's served me well, but I'm going to change the title for a couple of reasons. Firstly I'd like something that is easier to explain as an address to my friends, at the moment there is a hyphen, and that's annoying. Secondly, I'd like to be more searchable in google. "N and Yoga" isn't really a good search term. My relationship with yoga has reached a stage where I'm prepared for a couple of my friends and family to see this blog. Thirdly, I'd like to put my name in the blog. I'm putting my Spanish name in the blog. I don't know if I'll regret this later, because I'm only known as "Nico" here in Mexico, whereas in other countries I'm known by other names, but that's a thought for a later date. So it's going to be "Ashtanga Nico" instead. By including my name, I"m also taking more ownership of this blog. It'll be a little less anonymous. So from n-yoga.blogspot.com to ashtanganico.blogspot.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)