Standing Deep Breathing -Pranayama - In this posture, my back and shoulders resist my first attempts at movement. When breathing out my elbows struggle against lifting toward the ceiling while keeping my chest lifted. Breathing in, I enjoy the way my stomach and chest stretch both in the mirror and within. I either find myself smiling by the end of it, or I breeze through the the posture. Some days my legs feel strong and capable like a centaur, but when I look in the mirror they don't match the feeling. There is no in between for me with this one. I either enjoy it or don't, it was never just ok.
Half Moon Pose- Ardha-Chandrasana with Pada- Hasthasana- My expression of this posture (side to side) is powerful and strong. I am a flower petal blooming and I ground the posture from me feet to my fingertips. My eyes follow the curve of my body in the mirror as I visualize a crescent moon. My right side is stronger and more flexible than my left. I often feel a pinching in the left side of my back in this posture. This is not the same type of pinch that happens when I don't lift up through the chest. The pinch is in the same place I carry my stress, the same place I pull my muscles repeatedly. This posture does give me energy for the rest of class and I am constantly reminding myself that pushing in this posture will not wear me out, but will pump me up. When I bend over to grab my feet, on flexible days, I can straighten my legs and I more often than not enjoy the posture. After first set, no matter how hard I try in the posture, coming up in the finale is like a breath of fresh mountain air.
Awkward Pose- Utkatasana This posture is rarely hard for me to hold. The first part, I sometimes don't really get. i do it, and open my chest but don't really see the point of the posture... what I am saying is that I don't really see the yoga in it. This second part of the posture on the tippie toes, I do get but my body doesn't. It is always a struggle for me to bring my hips forward and my upper body back. I see this as more of a 'structural' problem that is slowly correcting itself over time with a little push from me. Always trying always improving. Instructors often tell me to lean back.. I KNOW I am not leaning back in perfect alignment and it is because my body is not ready. At least this is how I see it. The third part of the posture, I enjoy visualizing 3x 90degree angles and pretend that I am the box. I don't bounce because my knees suck. This posture is supposed to be good for cold feet. I have yet to see the benefits of that because my feet are always cold.
Eagle Pose- Garurasana I love this posture. Connecting with my breath, inhales and exhales iare so beautifully self explanatory in this posture. I carry all of my happiness, sadness, stress, life in my upper back muscles and I relish the moment I swing my arms one under the other, then pull down to connect with those muscles. Sometimes when I am really hot and class seems to be an enormous effort, I just stay in that first part and feel my shoulder muscles stretch. In Bikram's book he says that you should press wherever you feel pressure in this posture and I remind myself of this while I am in it. This posture is so dynamic with so many places to focus on.
Standing Head to Knee- Dandayamana-Janushirasana My standing leg burns and my lower back is always sore after this one. 1 year and a 30 day challenge later and I still kick out only occasionally. As long as that standing leg is strait, you get the benefit so what is the rush right? I am plenty challenged holding the posture and not falling out- while not kicking. Sometimes I am able to kick out, the left leg kicks out easier than the right one and in this posture I am painfully aware of how my legs and hips were put together funny. I am constantly working on this one, I am only now finding peace in it.
Standing Bow Pose Dandayamana-Dhanurasana Strength, focus, laughter. I refuse do get frustrated when I fall out of this one, it is a decision that I made from the beginning and one that I plan to stick to. Lately this posture has been very solid. My left side is not as flexible but seems to have better alignment. My right side is more flexible and I enjoy going to my edge. Not much else in that hot room is as gratifying as holding this posture for the full 60 seconds. When teachers stand in the front row, I gape at how beautiful this posture is. This is the posture that first helped me to understand what an 'asana' was. This stillness I find in this posture transcends my ego and holds my Self.
Balancing Stick- TuladandasanaI am strong and capable in this posture. Aware of my body, balance, and alignment, I work on tightening. This is the most fun posture for me to watch when I sit out. All the bodies! Everyones uniqueness comes through, tall, small, apples, oranges, broken umbrellas are funny.
Showing posts with label Dandayamana-Dhanurasana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dandayamana-Dhanurasana. Show all posts
2/19/2011
11/29/2010
Feeling Witty
Bikram Yoga is ideal for everyone because:
If you are into self loathing:
Putting yourself through hell for 90 mintues will suit you just fine. It might even eventually help you not to loath.
If you are into getting a workout and burning some unwanted calories:
No other exercise will work every muscle in your entire body. Where else can you loose 700 calories in a 90 minute time period?
If you don't like people pushing you:
The instructor will try, but really, Bikram Yoga is all about you pushing yourself so you can go as hard or as soft as you like. Hell, just lay there as long as you are laying the right way and trying the right way.
If you have an injury:
That heat is therapeutic. With 26 'beginner' asanas you can sit out some and reap the benefits of others.
If you are 'mental':
Those 90 minutes will help you get out of your head, especially as time wears on.
If you are old:
You don't have to be flexible. Get it through your head, it is NOT about flexibility, it is about body alignment and trying your best.
If you are ugly (I don't really believe you are ugly):
You will have every opportunity to stare at yourself and find peace in the collective you staring back.
If you don't have a boyfriend:
Bikram yoga is addictive. It will be your boyfriend from now on.
If you hate the heat:
You are shit out of luck.
Class was SO crowded. The max occupancy for the hot room where I practice is 40. There were 45 people in there. That means it was muy caliente!
I went for all the backbends except camel because I was loosing consciousness in the heat. That is thanks to Lacey's encouragement.
My right knee swelled steadily through class and I could actually feel my lower back get hotter than the rest of my body.
Favorite posture today: Ardha Chandrasana - Half Moon
Worst Posture today :Dnadayamana Dhanurasana- Standing Bow
P.S. What a great idea. Recycle your stinky yoga mat instead of letting it collect dust or throwing it away. Click here.
If you are into self loathing:
Putting yourself through hell for 90 mintues will suit you just fine. It might even eventually help you not to loath.
If you are into getting a workout and burning some unwanted calories:
No other exercise will work every muscle in your entire body. Where else can you loose 700 calories in a 90 minute time period?
If you don't like people pushing you:
The instructor will try, but really, Bikram Yoga is all about you pushing yourself so you can go as hard or as soft as you like. Hell, just lay there as long as you are laying the right way and trying the right way.
If you have an injury:
That heat is therapeutic. With 26 'beginner' asanas you can sit out some and reap the benefits of others.
If you are 'mental':
Those 90 minutes will help you get out of your head, especially as time wears on.
If you are old:
You don't have to be flexible. Get it through your head, it is NOT about flexibility, it is about body alignment and trying your best.
If you are ugly (I don't really believe you are ugly):
You will have every opportunity to stare at yourself and find peace in the collective you staring back.
If you don't have a boyfriend:
Bikram yoga is addictive. It will be your boyfriend from now on.
If you hate the heat:
You are shit out of luck.
Class was SO crowded. The max occupancy for the hot room where I practice is 40. There were 45 people in there. That means it was muy caliente!
I went for all the backbends except camel because I was loosing consciousness in the heat. That is thanks to Lacey's encouragement.
My right knee swelled steadily through class and I could actually feel my lower back get hotter than the rest of my body.
Favorite posture today: Ardha Chandrasana - Half Moon
Worst Posture today :Dnadayamana Dhanurasana- Standing Bow
P.S. What a great idea. Recycle your stinky yoga mat instead of letting it collect dust or throwing it away. Click here.
11/24/2010
Back in Black
I want back in the hot room. I didn't want to leave after class today and that is a first- maybe even a one and only!
But let me begin by saying that today was my first healthy day back at Bikram, I have not practiced in 10 days at my last post. I am definitely not 100%, not even close but I am trying the right way my 100%.
I said goodbye chiro and hello massage. My body has always responded well to massage and I should have went with my gut feeling regarding that, but I didn't. I made a mistake. Hopefully no irreparable damage was done, and I don't believe it was.
After two sessions with Jackie RMT I have the 'ok' to practice again but still careful on the backbends. Don't worry, I didn't even attempt one today because my back is so sensitive. The muscles tire so quickly and I am looking at my yoga practice getting back to good in terms of several months time. I am not rushing this and I really need to go slow.
My body is walking a tight rope between injury and strengthening and I am balancing ever so carefully. But back, I am back and oh my it was so hot in there. It was awesome because it is 15 degrees in Vancouver right now and my feet feel like ice cubes. I was ready to do another class, but I must listen to my body. My mind actually wanted to stay!
What backbends should I start to ease into, which ones should I totally avoid? I am only doing one set each of spine strengthening series because it where I am at right now. I am not even attempting floor bow.
I am going to be so sore tomorrow.
Favorite posture of the day: Standing bow pulling pose - Dandayamana Dhanurasana
Least favorite posture of the day: Half moon pose - Ardha Chandrasana
But let me begin by saying that today was my first healthy day back at Bikram, I have not practiced in 10 days at my last post. I am definitely not 100%, not even close but I am trying the right way my 100%.
I said goodbye chiro and hello massage. My body has always responded well to massage and I should have went with my gut feeling regarding that, but I didn't. I made a mistake. Hopefully no irreparable damage was done, and I don't believe it was.
After two sessions with Jackie RMT I have the 'ok' to practice again but still careful on the backbends. Don't worry, I didn't even attempt one today because my back is so sensitive. The muscles tire so quickly and I am looking at my yoga practice getting back to good in terms of several months time. I am not rushing this and I really need to go slow.
My body is walking a tight rope between injury and strengthening and I am balancing ever so carefully. But back, I am back and oh my it was so hot in there. It was awesome because it is 15 degrees in Vancouver right now and my feet feel like ice cubes. I was ready to do another class, but I must listen to my body. My mind actually wanted to stay!
What backbends should I start to ease into, which ones should I totally avoid? I am only doing one set each of spine strengthening series because it where I am at right now. I am not even attempting floor bow.
I am going to be so sore tomorrow.
Favorite posture of the day: Standing bow pulling pose - Dandayamana Dhanurasana
Least favorite posture of the day: Half moon pose - Ardha Chandrasana
10/15/2010
Tears
I haven't been to class 'a la Bikram' in a week.
I was stiff.
I needed that so bad. My mind is still and my body is spent.
In Standing Bow, I had noting left to give, so I did what a wise teacher once told me and I 'shot with my heart'. The sunshine filtered through the back windows. It was beautiful. I am proud and humbled. It was a good class.
I was stiff.
I needed that so bad. My mind is still and my body is spent.
In Standing Bow, I had noting left to give, so I did what a wise teacher once told me and I 'shot with my heart'. The sunshine filtered through the back windows. It was beautiful. I am proud and humbled. It was a good class.
9/22/2010
Goose-bumps
Breathe through your nose and keep your mouth closed for 90 minutes.
For some, this effort is in vain and will not be accomplished until many classes pass but more broadly... this is an effort to stifle your Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS). You know, the one responsible for the fight or flight response?
Not so much the fight to hold an asana until the end... or fleeing the hot room... those are decision your mind makes in response to signals your SNS sends. Throughout your life, the SNS is constantly working to regulate your body systems, keep your heart ticking, and give you goose-bumps?
Goose-bumps are a response to SNS signals to insulate. Our skin (erector pilli more specifically) pull our hair down closer to the skin in order to trap air. But if I am hot, why would my body want to insulate me!? And if I am hot, why would I get goose-bumps?
Let's back up a little bit. Goose-bumps are a reaction. Perhapse there is an overlap of signals, a sort of short circuit
Experts indicate that this can be signal of overexertion. When you exercise your body heats up and evaporation of sweat cools you off, however when your body heats up faster than your sweat can evaporate sweat starts to form droplets... let's get real.. in Bikram Yoga it forms rivers! So your body isn't cooling as effectively as it can (with less evaporation).
So the lesson is this: drink more water and persevere.
For this practice, I am constantly pushing my boundaries. Personally I see this disparity between a hot body and goose-bumps as a metaphor for overcoming. It is only 90 minutes and as long as I am hydrated, goose-bumps are not going to kill me. It only kills the unwell part of me that says, "No, you cannot hold camel because it is uncomfortable or no you cannot hold standing bow pulling pose because it is hard." It is supposed to be hard.
**Photo from Flickr - MaryLane
For some, this effort is in vain and will not be accomplished until many classes pass but more broadly... this is an effort to stifle your Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS). You know, the one responsible for the fight or flight response?
Not so much the fight to hold an asana until the end... or fleeing the hot room... those are decision your mind makes in response to signals your SNS sends. Throughout your life, the SNS is constantly working to regulate your body systems, keep your heart ticking, and give you goose-bumps?
Goose-bumps are a response to SNS signals to insulate. Our skin (erector pilli more specifically) pull our hair down closer to the skin in order to trap air. But if I am hot, why would my body want to insulate me!? And if I am hot, why would I get goose-bumps?
Let's back up a little bit. Goose-bumps are a reaction. Perhapse there is an overlap of signals, a sort of short circuit
Experts indicate that this can be signal of overexertion. When you exercise your body heats up and evaporation of sweat cools you off, however when your body heats up faster than your sweat can evaporate sweat starts to form droplets... let's get real.. in Bikram Yoga it forms rivers! So your body isn't cooling as effectively as it can (with less evaporation).
So the lesson is this: drink more water and persevere.
For this practice, I am constantly pushing my boundaries. Personally I see this disparity between a hot body and goose-bumps as a metaphor for overcoming. It is only 90 minutes and as long as I am hydrated, goose-bumps are not going to kill me. It only kills the unwell part of me that says, "No, you cannot hold camel because it is uncomfortable or no you cannot hold standing bow pulling pose because it is hard." It is supposed to be hard.
**Photo from Flickr - MaryLane
