I am finally beginning to understand what Rodney Yee meant when he spoke of having an "in of body" (as opposed to out of body) experience. That was in a workshop back in 04.
There are several limbs of the body that go numb during practice, they disappear so to speak in certain asana. Energy not reaching them.
For example, in the intense pushed forward bend after the back-bending session, when a teacher lies on top of me pushing me down, my legs tend to want to give, my feet do not want to straighten through the heels, it hurts. It helps when the skin of the bottom is pulled up and out, when the legs are fully straighten and the chest pushing forward. But still, energy is required, an attitude of "checking in", when checking out is, of course, the most convenient attitude.
I have began to send energy into all limbs, especially in the difficult poses, breathing deeper and understanding that is "just sensation", letting every part of the body be alive, in every asana, one by one.
As a result the practice feels powered up. "You have a lot more energy" said John (Campbell at Pure) a few weeks ago. It felt so good to hear this, coming from him who saw me at the low point of practice in mid 09. I think it is the result of these details, being "in the body" in all asanas, paying attention and slowing the practice down.
I am up early today, had forgotten how good it feels to have the extra time, meditate and write on the journal. Off to practice now.
Nice reminder, thanks for this, wish i'd read it just before my practice this morning. Hope you having a good practice.
ReplyDeleteHi Grim, thanks for the wish, yes good practice, although I did rush in uttitha hasta again... I just dont like it... and the teacher said "always in a rush" bummer! got me!... but after that I slowed down again...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your afternoon session if you have not had it yet... :-)
Claudia, you are amazing! I do not know how you have the will power to get up pre-dawn and meditate!
ReplyDeleteIt's very difficult for me to get out of bed at 5am. I struggle every day with it. Miss a lot of classess :(
Do you always get up so early to practice? How are you able to do it?
HELP!!!!!!!!
Hi Anonymous, I absolutely relate, no need to be so hard on yourself! :-) maybe you are an "afternoon person"?
ReplyDeleteI happen to be a morning person, but sometimes even for me 5 is a struggle too... I have to say that in the beginning it was little hard for me too but then I got sort of addicted to the "effect" of practice at the beginning of the day, you know? I got used to the feeling that it is 8:30 and I "already accomplished something", that at least, is my case.
One secret though, is that I pre-set the coffee the night before, so in the morning, hearing it brew and smelling it does the trick.
Another secret is that I go to bed very early, don't tell anyone, but sometimes even 8. (yes, embarrassing)
How could you make it work?
Thank you dear Claudia!!! The pre-setting a coffe maker might do the trick. I will try to explore it tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteExcellent! let me know how it goes, but if it does not work out there is always the afternoon... which (as you I am sure know) is actually easier on the body ;-) Sending you strong vibes! you can do it!!! :-)
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