What does an Ashtanga mamma get when she adds 30-60 minutes of walking to her routine??? Unhappy hamstrings. Gah!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
And another thing...
Last week we hosted a student conference at the studio. It's a time for students to ask questions about the practice or how we teach. We had some especially good questions and I've continued to think about them over the last few days.
One student asked or commented on how she can't practice at 100% all the time. Clearly that's not possible and it's one of the most powerful and uncomfortable parts of this practice.
In ashtanga, the practitioner does the same sequence with some small variations nearly every day. Since the practice doesn't change, it makes day to day sensation more apparent. What you find is that you don't always finish with the happy go-lucky feeling we associate with today's yoga. This is part of Astanga's power; to shine a light on how things truly are. And perhaps it's the closest thing to being present and aware we feel each day.
Back to the question from conference. First, being able to accept yourself at less that "100%" is quite a task. It's really difficult in fact. Second, with practice we come to realize that 100% looks different everyday. As our awareness increases we are better able to walk the line between too much and not enough. What if 100% is more about how closely you can walk that line than what each posture looks like day to day? Hmmmmmmm.....
One student asked or commented on how she can't practice at 100% all the time. Clearly that's not possible and it's one of the most powerful and uncomfortable parts of this practice.
In ashtanga, the practitioner does the same sequence with some small variations nearly every day. Since the practice doesn't change, it makes day to day sensation more apparent. What you find is that you don't always finish with the happy go-lucky feeling we associate with today's yoga. This is part of Astanga's power; to shine a light on how things truly are. And perhaps it's the closest thing to being present and aware we feel each day.
Back to the question from conference. First, being able to accept yourself at less that "100%" is quite a task. It's really difficult in fact. Second, with practice we come to realize that 100% looks different everyday. As our awareness increases we are better able to walk the line between too much and not enough. What if 100% is more about how closely you can walk that line than what each posture looks like day to day? Hmmmmmmm.....
Private Yoga and Babies
A couple times a week I do a private yoga/massage session in the morning for this super nice lady at her house. Friday night she called me and asked if I would bring Lennon along. Her granddaughter offered to mind Lennon while we worked. I wasn't sure how it would go but ended up being pleasantly surprised. I was planning to go in early, come home and then head back in for another yoga/massage session later but we worked it out so that I could take babe in a bit later and do the session then.
Lennon has been doing much better lately with being out and about, and he was on today! I was worried he would fuss during the session and I would be really distracted. No fussing!!!! The granddaughter even took L outside and walked around the yard with him. She moved really slow and was very sweet with him. I was totally at ease and it was great! I think we found a new friend for Lennon while we are at the Shala. Yay! Good Day, Sunshine!
Lennon has been doing much better lately with being out and about, and he was on today! I was worried he would fuss during the session and I would be really distracted. No fussing!!!! The granddaughter even took L outside and walked around the yard with him. She moved really slow and was very sweet with him. I was totally at ease and it was great! I think we found a new friend for Lennon while we are at the Shala. Yay! Good Day, Sunshine!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Welcome back Ms. Mysore
This week I taught both Wednesday AND Thursday Mysore! Woot! I ended up having a massage this afternoon so E and I switched out for the night. Before Little L, this was my usual schedule, but I haven't taughtawa Thursday all winter. Man I love that class!
We have some newer folks and the regs have added some more postures. It's awesome to see more people doing drop backs, others catching new binds and people doing more in general. It's a lot to come back to, but I think I'll get the hang of it soon enough.
Here's a fun photo from Wednesday. Note the hottie in black shorts and no shirt. That's my baby daddy!
We have some newer folks and the regs have added some more postures. It's awesome to see more people doing drop backs, others catching new binds and people doing more in general. It's a lot to come back to, but I think I'll get the hang of it soon enough.
Here's a fun photo from Wednesday. Note the hottie in black shorts and no shirt. That's my baby daddy!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
So Cute!
Maybe I'm just feeling a little emotional today, but I just love this! Since Little L has arrived, I've been super emotional about kids and babies and stuff. At a restaurant a lady was being super mean to a baby in a stroller and I nearly lost it. Anyway enjoy!
Monday, March 12, 2012
A Monday Stroll
It was such a beautiful day! I took the day off from asana since I practiced on Saturday and decided to try the stroller again.
Lennon has been hating the stroller since we got it out last week. I'm not sure if it's timing, the hassle of getting ready or the car seat he sits in, but it hasn't been going well.
Today I waited until he was happy and I dressed him warmly long before the attempt. I put him in the car seat and waited until he settled down there. Then set up the stroller outside. In one fast swoop, I loaded him up and off we went. He fussed on and off for the first 10 minutes but I waited it out and was rewarded. He fell asleep and I got in an hour of walking! Woot! To the bridge and back 4 times!
I don't mind the same scenery. I have sort of strange walking habits anyway. We live in a really rural area and I often walk at night, up and down the driveway, down to the telephone pole and back. Evan calls it "night prowling" but hey, I've got to get it in sometime!
Not tonight though...
Lennon has been hating the stroller since we got it out last week. I'm not sure if it's timing, the hassle of getting ready or the car seat he sits in, but it hasn't been going well.
Today I waited until he was happy and I dressed him warmly long before the attempt. I put him in the car seat and waited until he settled down there. Then set up the stroller outside. In one fast swoop, I loaded him up and off we went. He fussed on and off for the first 10 minutes but I waited it out and was rewarded. He fell asleep and I got in an hour of walking! Woot! To the bridge and back 4 times!
I don't mind the same scenery. I have sort of strange walking habits anyway. We live in a really rural area and I often walk at night, up and down the driveway, down to the telephone pole and back. Evan calls it "night prowling" but hey, I've got to get it in sometime!
Not tonight though...
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Starting...Now
The blog was supposed to start 10 weeks ago. Ugh...
Admittedly, I've started a blog in the past and wasn't able to keep up with it. I'm hoping this time is different. My intention is to use this blog to tell stories about my little family and my Ashtanga yoga practice. I'm not making any promises, but I think it would be great to have a record of these times.
Lennon is now 10 weeks old. He's an adorable little guy who giggles, drools and yes, sleeps well at night. I think we got pretty lucky with this one. He comes to the studio with us each Sunday for intro classes if we have them and Led Primary series. He's a social little fella and loves to watch classes and welcome students as they arrive for class.
My practice is coming along. I'm not up to full speed yet. More like third gear. In general, I get in 5-6 practice days a week and do one of four sequences: Primary, Splitting up to Kapotasana, Intermediate up to Pincha, or Moon. Sometimes I even have to practice in two parts, but I'm doing my best to get it done. Evan has been really supportive and hangs with the little guy so that I can practice.
I leave you today with a snapshot from our post yoga lunch at La Rancherita. Yum!
Admittedly, I've started a blog in the past and wasn't able to keep up with it. I'm hoping this time is different. My intention is to use this blog to tell stories about my little family and my Ashtanga yoga practice. I'm not making any promises, but I think it would be great to have a record of these times.
Lennon is now 10 weeks old. He's an adorable little guy who giggles, drools and yes, sleeps well at night. I think we got pretty lucky with this one. He comes to the studio with us each Sunday for intro classes if we have them and Led Primary series. He's a social little fella and loves to watch classes and welcome students as they arrive for class.
My practice is coming along. I'm not up to full speed yet. More like third gear. In general, I get in 5-6 practice days a week and do one of four sequences: Primary, Splitting up to Kapotasana, Intermediate up to Pincha, or Moon. Sometimes I even have to practice in two parts, but I'm doing my best to get it done. Evan has been really supportive and hangs with the little guy so that I can practice.
I leave you today with a snapshot from our post yoga lunch at La Rancherita. Yum!
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