Most of times, at least for me, yoga is about finding that calm, non - judgmental state, towards yourself and the practice, and if you are a teacher, also your students. It also transforms towards the daily life. I give an example. I'm ,with quite a consistence falling down from utthita hasta padangusthasana, especially when legs goes to the side, and I have to look the other way. Yesterday, I watched Kino MacGregor explaining this posture in the video! and while hip - into - the - socket advice helped, the calm mind advice helped even more. ( I am linking the video here so you can watch it).
I knew from the beginning that it is my mind blocking me from standing, and it's my mind that makes my ankles nervous and wobbly. Putting my need to complete the asana away, creates a space for my
mind to relax, with keeping certain level of alertness, and results in less nervousness in the posture and stability.
I read an article lately, that had been also underlining the keeping the calm mind at all times. While I think it is useful most of times, and allows us to let go of the expectations and enjoy the fact of the practicing itself.
But there is also another power, that can be helpful sometimes, and it is power of humor and being able to laugh at oneself. ( do not confuse with picking on yourself :)
Last week I found myself approaching couple of new and challenging asanas in Primary Series.
Bujapidasana, that is the first arm balance with your legs crossed in front. Couple of day passed before I could balance for 5 full breaths, and then the teacher added going down with your chin, and back with the feet. And here the battle began. :)
I hit myself many times, in many places. Forehead, chin, mouth, nose, and first and foremost, butt. I enjoy the trying process though :)
The Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana - how many times did I fall down when I was trying to sit down? The most interesting part of Supta Kurmasana is how to get out of it. Now I can really sympathize with da tortoise. Appreciate the tortoise! He walks around like that!
My latest addition is the rolling before Gharba Pidasana. Basically you put your legs in lotus, take the arms around, grasp the hands, stay for 5 breaths and then try to roll around, and come back to where you came from (with arms still clasped).
The best part of it, is when you fall down on your side, with the lotus and your arms around. Its like, what do i do now. Do i undo all my limbs or do I try to roll on the back without undoing, only helped by the core. There is this moment of lying down on the side when you feel like an Chinese infant wrapped tightly in your blanket praying your way out to your Uddiyana Bandha to come and get cha.
If I wouldn't be using my humor in approaching this asanas, I would be probably beating myself up for not being able to do that, and my inner critic would kill me. That's not the point right? Of ashtanga yoga, right?
Anyway, if you cannot, for the moment keep your mind calm, because it's going bananas, you should better refrain to your inner comic. My inner comic never sleeps, because it's a perfect aid and counterbalance to too much self criticism or self pity. I think ideally, you would be just super calm all the time. If you can't do that, then better start laughing. Wouldn't the life be boring without a little humor? I find it essential to get through the day. If that's a vital part of my life, I feel I need to embrace it and include it in my practice. You don't want to take it to the extreme, and laugh instead of breathing, but if there is a spectacular fall in Bujapidasana that your inner comic has to embrace with smile, go ahead and smile. It's better than being angry at yourself. For what? We all are just trying here.
All righty guys. Stay inspired, keep practicing!
Joanna
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