Rain for Music

This morning it was raining. I opened the window and did my morning practice as I listened to that beautiful sound. I wish I had that accompaniment more often. Love rain.

The Space Between

It seems to be more about transistions these days for me, rather than the poses themselves. The dance between each posture is fascinating to me. It is in the transitions that we find grace and our fullest potential. I love the movement and the fluidity of the spaces between. I'd love a class that focused more on the transitions than the poses. Some day, yes?

photo via: www.infin8yoga.com

Exhaustion

I am giving up yoga classes that break me down to exhaustion. I found in my yoga practice this morning that I am stronger and more present when I can have a practice focused on endurance rather than complete fatigue. I can hold poses longer, and balance like I've never balanced. It really is all about slowing down, the breath, and the bandhas.

Rest

"We need to learn to make rest a part of our practice, and we need to take that rest long before we feel exhausted or frustrated." -Rolf Gates

"90% of our yoga practice is off the mat." -Pattabhi Jois

Lately I have been feeling the need to rest more in my yoga practice. But I also need to remember to rest in the rest of my life. I like this picture of a couple just sitting on their porch relaxing. This weekend I hope we can slow down our yoga practice as well as our lives to refresh ourselves before we have a breakdown.

Neglected

Bandhas. My practice as of late has neglected the bandhas for the most part. There is some attention given to uddiyana, but not enough. I need to bring back my bandha practice. When I really use them it is only then that I've been able to float into challenging balances. I really feel that no matter how much muscle I build I won't be able to have a graceful yoga practice without the bandhas.

What are the bandhas? They are most often referred to as "energy locks." I like to think of them as an "energy bind"...used to seal in life energy as I practice yoga. There are three major bandhas: mula (my favorite), uddiyana, and jalamdhara. Respectively the perineum (Kegel muscles for women), the navel, and the chin tucked in towards the chest. I really believe that the bandhas are the secret to a graceful practice.

Visionary

This morning after my practice I spoke briefly with a dear friend about the beauties of practicing on one's own. I mentioned that I often like to practice at home with classical music in the background...especially the music of Estonian compser, Arvo Part. My favorite album is Tabula Rasa with Gil Shaham on the violin. It's intense. But what I love most are the points of hesitation, the brief moments of silence before the storm. Whenever I compliment my practice with Arvo Part I am bound to have some sort of profound insight into my practice, my heart, the earth, and the universe. Try it.