James Walsh Yoga

Saturday, October 29, 2022, Today's title of " Don't Push Or Pull" came from a small video I saw throughout the week.  In the video, there was a man explaining that wanting something (pulling it in), and despising something (pushing it away), are both equally bad for a person, and lead to equally bad, albeit different, outcomes.  Pulling Something = Wanting, desiring, attempting to draw something in, etc. Pushing Something = Avoiding, detesting, attempting to push something away, etc. The principle (which may or may not be true), is that whether we work to push something away, or work to pull something in, our actions will eventually invert, and whatever it is we yearned for will leave us, and whatever it is we avoided will come in...........dang.....what a bummer..... So what is the answer?  A principle of Religion is that desire is the root for much of our suffering.  How can I, a feeble-minded-evolved-chimp-person not desire something?....I'm lazy....I'm co...

Tuesday, October 25, 2022, On my mat way behind schedule (it's 5:54am as I type this), but the reason for my delay is that today's practice will be abnormal.  I will not be forcing myself into my standard routine but will allow my body to roll around on the mat/floor as I work through it, and discover where the kinks are.  On Sunday, two days ago, I ran a half-marathon (13.1 miles); I've done many of them in my life, and I'm happy to have accomplished another.  The next day soreness isn't terrible, but it still needs to be worked out.  Time to begin with prayers and meditation.... Part II: A lovely practice.  Time to enter the world.  Namaste

Friday, October 7, 2022,  Woke at the usual 4:15am and enjoyed my usual hour+ of coffee & contemplation.  On my mat, a tad behind schedule, at 5:27am. No time to dilly dally....time to begin. Part II: Today's practice was, physically, very interesting.....some sort of "stuck" or "solidified" muscle/muscle-groups in my lower back needed to get unstuck.  One of the best things about a practice is that you learn how to unstick and loosen muscle groups through the understanding of Asana/physical postures.  Do I need to twist?.....do I need to invert?......do I need to fold forward, back, to the side, etc.  The key to unsticking and loosening a muscle group (especially one as complex as part of the back) is usually a combination of a few of these.....twist a little, while folding forward and, all fo the sudden, you nail it....you found where the stiffness is, and you can wait, breathe, and relax while your body loosens itself up.  Time to enter the world....

Tuesday, October 4, 2022, It's 5:33am, I'm a tad behind skedge, and it's time to begin....