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Short Post. Don’t Fall Off Your Chair
By gartenfische | October 19, 2007
It was starting to seem like I’d forgotten how to write one. Sheesh.
On yoga: I’m doing a couple more Intermediate Series poses (through bhekasana—my poor feet!—and how the heck do you lift your chest?) I wonder if it’s a good idea to try some other types of yoga classes, so that I’m not doing only the same poses ALL OF THE TIME? I thought of this because whenever I add a new pose, it’s so darn hard (e.g salabhasana, bhekasana); it seems that some muscles aren’t getting worked. What d’ya think? Oh, and my backbends are soooo much better lately. My upper back is actually bending now (thanks to strapping the upper arms)! I try to think about DZM’s idea of stressing the inner hamstrings, but I’m so focused on pushing up through my arms that it seems to have moved to the back burner (that’s not a pun!). I’m going to buy a ball to bend over, too. If anybody has an opinion on size, chime in. They come in 55, 65 and 75 cm. I’m leaning toward 65, but not sure. (Does this all sound sort of kinky?—straps and balls, hmmm.) Also, for anybody who wants to add their two cents, did you notice any effects after starting second series? I was once told that Intermediate works on the nervous system. I have noticed lately feeling happier after practice, but couldn’t this also be due to improved backbends (opening the heart)? Or neither.
And, since my Yoga Shmoga post all those months ago, the resistance to the practice has lightened a lot. I never have the I-hate-yoga response these days. That’s progress. I don’t always think I love it, but I manage to do the practice without thinking about loving or hating it (which was Owl’s point in the comments for my whiny post). I only do a few suryanamaskaras on the days I don’t practice with someone, though. Which means I’m not testing the resistance when I’m by myself—I think I’ll do that next week and see, but I suspect I can control it by surrendering and not allowing the discussion to start (not getting hooked!). Sharath’s CD helps.
Attended a wonderful half-day retreat last weekend. Thomas Keating was the speaker. Awesome. Will write about that soon.
Oh, and I had this insight—whoo, this is a big one, watch out—when I was younger (in my twenties and thirties), I thought that older women sometimes dressed unfashionably because they were clueless. Wrong! It’s because they don’t give a hoot what twenty and thirty year olds think of them! I’m starting to figure out stuff like this because I don’t care as much myself. When I am old, I hope not to mind what anybody thinks of me. Thomas Keating says giving up our desire for approval is an important part of spiritual growth—wahoo!—goodbye, good riddance!)
To wrap up: Second Series: oy. What people think of me: meh.
Okay, it wasn’t that short, but wasn’t it short for me?
October 19th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Maybe all the talking about resistance on various blogs all over the place made some sense after all. I’m not nearly as resistant as I was back then, when I commented on your post. Yay us :)
October 19th, 2007 at 11:13 am
MM, I agree! Writing about it, reading about it–it all helps. Maybe because it brings it out into the open? Yeah, yay us! A little progress is always heartening!
October 19th, 2007 at 11:54 am
GF, go for the smaller ball for backbending, but DON’T get it from Gaiam. i bought one from Gaiam and it isn’t firm enough.
in bhekasana, i find if i try to keep my thighs closer, that i am able to lift me chest more.
as for variety in practice, i am a firm believer in the practice exactly how it is. for me, at least. i think you see the progress with the consistancy.
second series is called “nadi shodhana”, which means nerve cleansing. i have heard that when you are far into it and have been practicing for a while that it makes you crazy-ish. i am on dwi pada, and i am about the same amount of crazy as i usually am. i can’t imagine being crazier and still functioning.
and that leads me right into the clothing related to age thing. i am 34 and i dress like a child with ADHD. really not at all fashionable, but comfortable and COLORFUL (not muumuus). i have been toying around with doing something drastic to my hair, though. this used to be something i would do regularly. i flip flop between wanting to dye it jet black, or just shave it all off, but where i live doing either of those would get me attention that i don’t want.
October 19th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
I agree with Cranky Housefrau about the practice & consistency, but I think trying another style could be fun and interesting. I doubt it would do much for your ashtanga progress, though. I went to a “flow” class about a year ago and it was a fun change, but I didn’t go back.
You know the weird thing — I’ve gotten *more* interested in clothes as I’ve gotten older. When I was in my 20’s it was jeans and t-shirts all the time and I just didn’t care what people thought. I still don’t care to impress anyone (nor could I!) but I have more fun getting dressed up, etc. just for my own amusement. And I’ve totally developed a love for shoes.
October 19th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
This is what I needed to read today.I thought “go to your Gartenfische and your Gartenfische will teach you everything.” You did. Peace sister!
October 19th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Cranky, thanks for the input. You make a good point about sticking with one practice and I think I’ll do that (I mean, it already takes so much time, why add more?!). Yeah, I don’t think I need to become crazier, so I’m glad to hear it hasn’t happened to you (yet).
“i am 34 and i dress like a child with ADHD.” Ha! That’s great. Break all the rules, who gives a shit? (And if they do, too bad!)
So the 55 cm ball works well for you? Are you about average height, too? (I’m 5′6″)
YM, at least you’re dressing for yourself and not for other people!
Fran, Peace to you, too!
October 19th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
“It’s because they don’t give a hoot what twenty and thirty year olds think of them! ”
I’m 56, and that’s very true. It’s a good thing, too, as I’d rather be comfortable (esp. with my feet!) than fashionable!
October 19th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Jan, yes, it’s a great thing! (I can’t imagine high heels!–the thought makes me cringe.)
October 19th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
GF, i am 5′7″ and i sometimes think if there were a slightly smaller ball i could get a REALLY deep stretch.
i have to add, about the shoes, also at 34 i have never worn a paid of high heels for more than a few hours. i think the highest heels i currently own are about 1 inch. and while i love the way shoes look, i hate wearing them. i am lucky that my two jobs allow me to remain barefoot for 90% of my life!
October 19th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Cranky, okay, the smallest ball is what I’ll order. Thanks!
The longer I do yoga, the more I really, really like bare feet.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Whiny post? Oh please. Don’t go disparaging the first day we met, Gartenfische!
Re: effects of second. There might be some sleeplessness. I also had a LOT of happiness and strange effusions of, well, love for every one and every thing. I think kapotasana is where I started hugging people all the time, having previously been a very reserved non-toucher. That aspect is a part of me now. Honestly, the first 3rd of second is the sweetest thing in ashtanga, and maybe the most amazing art of sequencing ever.
BTW, I *am* a child with ADHD. (Ok, half of that statement is true.) I also dress like one. The ashtanga has helped with the ADHD, but only when I am actually doing asana. Rest of the time, still ADHD. But I think the yoga helps me channel it better.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
you make me feel like taking up yoga again.
and Thomas Keating was your speaker! how cool is that?
October 19th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
by the way, I’m glad I found your blog.
October 19th, 2007 at 9:54 pm
I tried posting a comment before, but it seemed not to work. ok. I’ll say: your writing makes me feel like taking up yoga again.
And you heard Thomas Keating speak!
WOW
Fran is right about you.
October 20th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Owl, oh my God, I’ve had SUCH a hard time sleeping lately. It’s a good thing I don’t have a job to go to in the morning. And it’s interesting how these poses lead to such amazing changes. I don’t think I give yoga enough credit for the healing I’ve been seeing over the past few years. Hugs . . . kisses. . .
Diane, yeah, Fr. Keating is wonderful. I even got to hold his hand for a moment and look into his eyes!!!
Yeah, take up yoga. I admit, I shopped around for years before I found the one I could stick with (Ashtanga), so be patient until you find a teacher and style you love.
October 20th, 2007 at 11:46 am
Owl, forgot to respond to your ADHD comment (that’s because I’m exhausted from not sleeping and have attention problems myself). It’s good to wear what pleases you, ADHD-inspired or not. :)
I wonder if we’re becoming an ADHD society because nobody seems to be able to pay attention to anything for longer than about half a second these days.