- Stamina was out the window
- Flexibility comparable to that of Dick Cheney (or the version in my mind of how he would do in a yoga class). I just searched his wiki page and not a trace of the word yoga so I'm probably on target.
- Thoughts were NOT helping, and mostly focused on how advanced everyone was but me
- knees did NOT work at all, EVER
- I could not even get in lotus OR on mari d because my right knee (meniscus-less) refused to get into the pose, it just was not going to do it.
- Backbends, what backbends?
I just did not know what to do with myself. I thought it was probably a great opportunity to practice detachment, and humility. I fancied myself a "real" yogi who did not much care about the body after all, other than as a "tool". That did not help either because, come to think of it, that is just the opposite side of the same coin.
Some days, are just like that I suppose. I am going to get my bottom into the meditation cushion.
yep, I have those days (although on fantastic days my body doesn't even come CLOSE to doing most of what you just described lol).
ReplyDeleteI think your observation that the body *is* just a tool is essential. Sometimes I think that it's a blessing to have terrible fexibility and strength... in that I had to realize early on that my body will NEVER achieve what some can. Because eventually, as we age and our lives change (babies, menopause, fragile bones and decreasing energy) we will be forced to change our practice.
At the same time, I was so excited the day I could touch my toes..... :)
every day is different.
Yes Eco yogini, you are right, it is probably a blessing to go slooooow, it definitely makes those "touching the toes moments" worth it :)
ReplyDeletejust a thought....
ReplyDeleteis it possible the castor oil bath caused you to go too deep in the practice, resulting in stiffness later? although i've never had that bath, i know when i practice at night when i am more flexible i pay for it the day after in stiffness.
lucky for me i stopped caring about such things a long time ago. i just practice alone without distractions.
anicca, anicca, anicca-this too shall pass.
have you ever considered vipassana?
Bindy, you are right, it is VERY possible, matter of fact this always happens on the second practice after castor oil, just not to THIS extend, and also I purposely did not push myself on the practice right after the oiling... today I am sick, so I am concluding that maybe I was incubating something, like a cold... perhaps that had something to do with it... do you find that people get sick a lot when there is little room between the mats? I am wondering weather it is like a cultive for bacteria to have so many people so tight together practicing...
ReplyDeleteAs per Vipassana, I had my first 10 day last August and I loved it, save for the recording and the repetition, just reading your 'anicia' three times brings me back into wanting to throw a cushion at something... like a stereo... I wish the talking would be less, the repetition was unbearable for me... but the experience is amazing. Have you done it?
yes. vipassana is incredible. i need to go once a year. i hope you feel better. i'm curious, why castor oil bath? i understand it in india, but not elsewhere. it's not something i would ever do, but i don't trust many things like that although the jois' always said it was good. but they are indian. maybe that's what made you sick. who knows?
ReplyDeleteBindy, I am coming to the exact same conclusion, I wonder now weather the castor oil is appropiate in the Indian temperatures, but in the freezing NY mid winter.... hmmm... not so much
ReplyDelete