Asana

Monday, March 30, 2020
After no physical practice/Asanas on Friday, and no yoga over the weekend, I notice that it's difficult to stay motivated and dedicated to my practice at times.  Additionally, I ran a solo-10K this weekend (the St. Louis GO! Marathon/Half-Marthon/10K was cancelled, like most public events), and the additional tenderness in my feet, legs, etc. definitely told me not to get on my mat.

Monday blues/malaise, essentially.....a "negative mind"...

When I'm on my mat, feeling like it's pointless, and that the day ahead is pointless, and that the efforts I'll expend to make things better are pointless, I can go back to the foundations of my life.  First, what do I live for?  I live for God.  That is my attempted mantra every day.

It is not for me/you to understand the purpose of anything.  Pulling yourself out of an equation is very liberating in that you're no longer attached to the result.

It's 5:27AM as I type this, and it's time to begin.

Monday, March 30, 2020 (Part II)
Today, I went through an abbreviated practice.

I learned, awhile ago, that I don't need to blow yesterday's practice out of the water, just to feel good about myself (I used to be like that, however).  I don't need to trance myself, and have profound breakthroughs in my body, mind, and soul,......I need to be ok with the average nature of an average practice at times; this thought covers many disciplines in life like running, work, etc.

I began, as I always do, with focused prayer, and meditation.  This usually begins around 5:30AM.  I don't even begin my physical warm-ups until about 5:50AM; these warmups then lead to the beginning of my structured Ashtanga Primary Series, which always being with four Surya Namaskar A and two Surya Namaskar B.  I've highly modified Surya Namaskar B to the point where it's essentially my own flow.  It now includes Lizard Pose, 3 variations of Pigeon Pose, a spinal twist, and Virbrahdrasana A, B, and C, all on one side before repeating it on the second side.  My flow through Surya Namaskar usually takes 15-20 minutes, depending on my speed, and mental focus that day.

Today was Monday.....and that's ok....ever day doesn't need to have glitter on it.  I'm proud, as always, that I began on my mat.

Namaste