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Fears and Anxieties: Every Human Has Them

Thursday, September 27, 2018
Woke at my usual 4:45AM this morning.

Today is Thursday and, for whatever reason, I couldn't get up yesterday in time to practice.

NBD, as I had a great practice on Tuesday morning and will have a great practice tomorrow.

It's 5:55AM as I type this, and it's time to sweat it out.

Thursday, September 27, 2018 (Part II)
Spent so much time warming up on my mat, that I didn't have time to update my blog yesterday or this morning, before heading off to work.  I'm eating my lunch as I type this, so this is a perfect opportunity for me to reflect back on this morning's practice.

First- I've said it before, but the difference I feel throughout my day whenever I start my mornings on my mat, is nearly immeasurable.  I'm not sensitive, I'm solid, I'm grounded, I'm strong, I'm chill, I'm everything positive and forward moving.  Any fears or anxieties about my day, my work, my self, etc., get burnt up on my mat.

Physically, I felt great this morning but definitely feel the bulk and stiffness of muscles that have developed from bike riding and running.

My practice is a modified Ashtanga Primary Series; video here for an understanding of the series.

I'm usually on my mat at 5:45AM to begin prayers and meditations.  This lasts for about 5-10 minutes.  While I'm doing this, I generally close my eyes, seated on my mat, and thumb through a decade of a Rosary (I'm Roman Catholic), while clearing my head out.  That means no thoughts (or as minimal of thoughts as can be), while I'm starting my routine.  Sometimes, if my brain's going wherever it wants to, and needs to be corralled, I'll do a four count breath:

  1. 4 count inhale
  2. 4 count hold
  3. 4 count exhale
  4. 4 count hold


This "centers" me back down, and gives my brain a "chore" to focus on.  What my brain doesn't realize, is that, while I'm focusing on this breathing pattern and matching the 4 counts as best I can to each other, it's calming me down, and bringing me back to the reality of me and my mat, slowly but surely.  Try it!

I felt strong and solid as I moved today and had a delightful Savasna to end it all on. 

Looking forward to practicing more tomorrow morning and., maybe, through the weekend.

Namaste

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