Why do I practice?
Why do I wake at 4:15AM every morning and spend nearly two hours in my office, on a cotton mat, exercising my mind with prayers and meditation, and my body with poses/Asanas and breathing techniques/Pranayama?
I believe my practice makes me a better person. I often end an update with "happy to bring this version of myself out into the world to share". A better "version"of myself, is a good way to describe it.
Like anything else, whether I realize it or not, I believe that my body, mind, heart, soul,....the whole thing, become accustomed to the routine of yoga and, eventually, crave it. Starting a day without it would feel "off".
Today is one of the first warm mornings this Spring; a lovely 70 degrees in my home, currently. I've learned that, even a few degrees in temperature, can have a big effect on my practice. In the winter, I usually toss on two t-shirts and a hoodie before going to my mat, as I want to stay warm.
It's 5:16AM, and it's time to begin...
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 (Part II),
I'm writing this post yoga practice and post shower.
As I mentioned in my pre-practice post, today is one of the first days this Spring that's supposed to get really warm; in the low 80s (that' 26+ degrees for you non-farenheit people).
I'd nearly forgotten what a difference that heat can make. I'm not one to crank the thermostat, as I'd rather be cheap than comfortable but, when the air around you is warmer than usual, it makes a dramatic impact on your body;.....or at least it did today.
The physical side of today's practice was strong, fluid, and powerful. My body agreed to everything I moved it into. My brain was a little scattered and uncontrolled this morning, but the deep, physical, practice I was going into seemed more important than keeping my mind still.
I am nearly back to being pleased with my back-bending sequence that ends my practice (shown at right).Today's practice was another notch on the belt to get my Upward Bow pose, back into a good, and stable spot. I've realized that I mark the progression of my physical poses/Asanas by how deep I can go into this pose.
See a marvelous example of the Ashtanga Primary Series here.
I'll say that, I'm looking forward to warmer weather as it instantly limbered me up, and made today's practice more interesting. I'm a firm believer that we can only shed certain things through sweat; that's why we feel good after exerting ourselves. As a colleague said, "detox to re-tox"....
I'm delighted to be sharing this warmed, and purified, version of myself with the world.
Namaste
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