Handstand in the grandstands

OK, well not like the major leagues. Eli, Sammy, and I, were "tumbling" around in the field at Jonah's practice. So, I started doing handstands. I was able to do a 3-4 second handstand with no support! Pretty great for me! Eli kept practicing, and soon we were up to about 10-12 handstands each! What a great way to sneak in some yoga! Handstand: Refreshing!!!!!!!Keeps you warm. Makes you smile, keeps you playful, makes you strong, keeps your sense of adventure going, helps you learn how to fall, and get up from the ground, dusting leaves off your booty.

getting stronger

Pulling myself deeper, into a stretch, into a hold, I feel my body quake. Working with vigor, I am re-shaping my body. On Saturday I spent an hour working on backbends, with a stop for shoulder stand, and headstand. I ended my practice with a long savasana, and Sammy lying on my belly, snuggled into my body. All day on Saturday, into Sunday, and even this morning, I feel the effects of a vigorous practice. I stand straighter, feel a passion for continued growth in asana, and am ready to face my week.

Headstand

A goal of mine is to perform a headstand, and be able to hold it, with proper alignment for around 12 breaths. I realize that, with any goal, I must practice, commit time to perfect this difficult pose. So, this week, I have practiced 3 times! Each time I have increased my time spent in the pose. Yesterday, I was in it a full 6 breaths until I needed to come down. Shoulderstand must also be addressed, as with classical yoga I am supposed to perform shoulderstand before learning headstand. So that practice is coming too. I am again facing a choice. A choice to practice, or sleep in. Life is very much a choice, don't you think? A choice to focus on negative things, or focus on the positive. We can choose because we have "intelligence". The awareness that there is a choice is liberating. It can also free us and help us to ask ourselves why we are "choosing" to behave in a certain matter, or feel a certain way. We absolutely have a choice. I prayed today that God would give me the strength and resolve to take one day at a time, to help me with balancing all my responsibilities, and to give me a push out of bed to practice yoga at 5:30. Wouldn't it be great if God's hand could literally pull me out of bed? Maybe that would do it! Just the thought of it kinda wakes me up right now!

5 days and counting

I have practiced now 5 days in a row! My Teacher says that the more asana you do, the more the body craves it. I believe this to be true! I feel stronger, taller, more in touch with feeling. I am practicing new things, new concepts, exploring and discovering places in my body that need increased attention. I did a 6 breath headstand without support! I folded completely into a pretzel and felt my low back round to the fullest. I crackled. I passed gas. (Not entirely unusual). I reflected on my life. I connected to my spirit, my breath. Now I am asking how I can reach out and spread this energy to all my students, and friends. How can I communicate, and teach this beautiful and transformative practice? How do I balance all the aspects of my life, and keep God and family at the center? Yoga is God's voice, leading me on my path. Emerson said to "blaze a trail..." . Alright, give me a pruners, a loppers, and some rare and unique seeds. I will plant and prune, water the seeds with awareness, nurture my growth with humility, and share my love of yoga with those who come my way.

Teacher training

I am immersed in the practice of yoga, this weekend. 11 hours today, and 8 hours tomorrow, and 6 hours yesterday. Every muscle in my body is sore. As I rolled out of savasana, I felt my hips rebel and groan, from working them vigorously all day. I am surrounded by students of yoga, all at different levels, mentally and physically. I am intrigued by the depth that is involved in this next level of training. It is now about deepening the practice, moving deeper and more intimatley into postures. It is about learning to demonstrate better, instruct better, and challenge myself, and my students to go deeper into the body, and mind. At first I felt overwhelmed. I felt as though I could not achieve this next level. I realized, that this would require a lot of work. A lot of effort. It is in a way, like being in school again. But it also involves mindful appreciation, and acceptance of where we are in life. I struggle with the fact that I am leaving my family for the weekend. I am grateful for my husband, who is such a support and keeper of the kids. I also realize that I, must dedicate myself more to practicing asana, meditation, and pranayama. Where will I find the time, you might ask. well, dammit, I plan on making the time. It is too important. I realize that much of life is a choice. We choose how to proceed in our lives. We choose to either sleep in, or get up early to greet the morning with vigor for practice. This is called intelligence. The power to choose. How beautiful! So, I will make this new intention, refreshed with the feeling of following my purpose, and staying on that path. Sometimes we all stray, and our journeys are always changing, evolving. Sometimes shrinking, sometimes expanding, sometimes inspired, sometimes stale as shit. That is life my friend. That is life.