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Monday Motivation-Return To The Basics


Adho Mukha Svanasana- Also referred to as Downward Dog.
A Fundamental Pose that can be a transition, or held
for a five count breath.

Monday, May 4, 2020, (Part I), 
Why is a yoga practice unique?

How is time spent on one's mat different from your jog around the block, your Orange Theory class, or any other type of physical work out?

For me, I can easily say the incorporation of breathing techniques, and mind control, put a yoga practice into a completely separate category, elevating it far beyond any physical work-out that exists. 

Today, I'm focusing on the fundamentals of a yoga practice:
  • Breath
  • Mind Control/Focus
  • Correct Alignment

A far superior Adho Mukha Svanasana/Downward Dog.
Shown, by the master himself, B.K.S. Iyengar.
#yogagoals
I'll begin, as always, with 10-20 minutes of breathing exercises/Pranayama, prayer, and meditation; I never jump directly into my Asanas/postures, as I want, and need, to take "stock" of myself before cannon-balling into the physical side of the practice.

It's a quiet study of my mind, my thoughts, and my emotions.....it all gets "dumped out" onto the mat through your sweat anyway.

Time to begin...


Monday, May 4, 2020, (Part II), 
Today's practice focused on the fundamentals of breath, mind, control, and alignment.

At time, I'll neglect my breathing, and, unintentionally, allow my breath to go where it wants; depending on the physical strain a pose puts on your body, controlling your breath (inhaling slowly and exhaling slowly), can be extremely difficult.  I'm upside down.....my abdomen is drawn in.....I have my legs in a side split......and I'm focusing my eyes on a point (Drishti) , and attempting to keep it there.....and I'm trying to keep my breath even, slow and regulated.  It's only natural that your breathing speeds up, and you begin to exhale quickly to get an inhale quickly so you can exhale again quickly, and so on...

While this uncontrolled breathing occurs naturally (I ,at times, allow it to occur), some remarkable things occur when you keep your breath under control.  I went through my Surya Namaskar/Sun Salutes this morning and focused, not on the movements/Asana, but on my breath, and my mind.  My body knows what's coming next, and knows how to align itself.  I put my intention and energy on my breathing and noticed that my mind followed suit, and began to quiet, and calm.  This "focused mind" then begins to effect your overall practice, and you begin executing Asanas with better alignment, and better control.

Take a bit of time today, unravel your mat, and focus on the basics.  It'll humble you to realize how sloppy your technique can be at times, and make you yearn for a more refined practice, and more refined version of yourself.

Namaste
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