Baddha Padasana

Baddha Padasana

Yoga recently became a lot more difficult. I have been placed in a Baddha Padasana for about a month. I have been bound by a boot on my left foot, leaving me unable to fully practice yoga. This was something that was incredibly frustrating and depressing, seeing as I have just recovered from a shoulder surgery. My personal and class practices have been affected greatly. 

Seeing as I am an instructor and part of my job is to demonstrate the poses to ensure that everyone is doing them correctly and safely, I am not able to fully do my job. My boot greatly limits what I can do in my yoga practice. With the boot on, it raises my right foot about an inch or two off the ground, making alignment impossible. With the  boot off, I am not supposed to be walking on my foot and doing things that would irritate the apparently excessively fragile tendon. 

This experience has been incredibly humbling. The thing that has helped me the most in teaching my classes are my students. I have a small handful of students that come religiously and are exceptionally talented. I now rely on those to demonstrate the poses that I am unable to do, letting them do essentially half of my job. This has helped me to understand that everyone is interwoven in a symbiotic lifestyle. Everyone needs something from another person. This has helped to realize that there is a greater scheme in everything in life. We are not just independent people on a path set in stone. Everyone's paths are interwoven in a grand scheme too large for our puny brains to understand. So, in a sense, having my foot bound has unbound my mind to a new concept.

Now, my practice in class has made me realize something else with my boot. Inversions and arm balances are my new best friends. Seeing as there is nothing wrong with my head and arms (as of now and subject to change; also, for a better illustration, I am currently pounding on wood to ward off any superstitious pre-dispositions), I am able to fully do poses that rely on my upper body. This has been a drastic change since last semester when my shoulder was decommissioned. I am greatly surprised by the amount of yoga I can still do in my currently incapacitated state.

I am also loving the harder poses that we are incorporating into the class. Headstands are one of my favourite things to do and now only things I can do. So, having a class period where I can work on perfecting one of my best poses is something that I look forward to every class. Also, with the idea of forearm stands on the horizons, I cannot wait for the progression of class. The boot has greatly incapacitated my abilities in yoga, but it has also given me the opportunity to work on yoga in a way that I have never worked on it before. It has limited my abilities so that I can work on approaching yoga from a perspective I would have never done, unless I was injured like I am. There is a silver lining in everything, even if it is a handicapped parking tag and an excuse to practice headstands. 

This brings us to the readings. One of the most concerning things I have with my boot is the consequences it puts on my practice. In the Sutras, Patanjali greatly emphasizes how important it is to be steadfast and frequent in one's practice. However, how am I to practice when I physically cannot? He further differentiates between the types of people with their practice, whether they are mild, average, or keen. My goal is to be keen in my practice. My boot on the other-hand is not conducive to this plan. I can transfer some of my practice to a more meditative state. This would still leave me feeling like I am lacking in practice. 

Finally, one of the most interesting topics in yoga has finally been addressed, which is the idea of a higher power or God. Most evangelical Christians cringe at the thought of practicing yoga. I even had a small argument with a church leader about how yoga is bad because it clears our mind, which allows for Satan to enter into it. (If you're wondering how that turned out, I essentially just nodded and let him get it out of his system before purging what he had said from my memory banks). From Christians that avoid yoga like the plague to "Christian-based yoga," in which they give a different Bible quote for each pose, I have encountered so many ideas that yoga and Christianity are mutually exclusive. However, when one reads deeper into the yoga sutras, it is apparent that Patanjali emphasizes the importance of a higher power, which even translates as God. This shows that the only way to true enlightenment and self-transcendence is through the paths of God. Through this not-so-difficult conclusion, I am able to sleep soundly at night, convinced that my practice of yoga does not negate my devotion to the Lord.

T-minus 3 weeks until I become unbound.

Namasté, my fellow yogis and yoginis,

Upward-facing Bear

Being Clingy

Being Clingy

As we journey deeper and deeper into the Yoga Sutras, I do not know if I am getting more questions or more answers to my questions. It seems as if each time a question is answered, two more pop up, creating this sort of yoga hydra waiting for Hercules, or Patanjali, in this case, to come slay it. One of the most interesting parts of the Kleshas is the sutra 2.03. There are three that intrigue me the most. 

First, we have the problem of ignorance. However, this problem cannot fully be combatted if we do not even know what we are ignorant of in the first place. One could say that we are destined for an everlasting journey of the acquisition of knowledge. Through this, one will gain a higher understanding of the world and come one step closer to calming the oscillations of the mind. 

Next, ego holds us back. This is a very important one that most people, including myself struggle with. I find myself in my own classes thinking, "Oh, wow, that girl has a better pose than me. Let me just avoid doing it so that I will not get shown up." I have noticed that during classes that I do not compare myself with others, I am much happier and get a lot more out of it. 

Finally, the most interesting idea is that we must not cling to life. I feel like this has a two-fold meaning. First, I think it has a lot to do with self-preservation. This, to me, means that we must give up our selfish thoughts that lead us to ignoring the suffering of the world and those around us. Because of our self-centered thoughts, we are driven to only doing things that have a direct benefit to ourselves. Next, comes the direct clinging to life. Most of the things in our life are directed at a fear of dying. However, once one loses this fear, they become free. Think about all the times that you said no to something because it was dangerous, but you felt like it was something you wanted to do or could grow from doing. Once we stop fearing death, we can begin to fully live.

Throughout this last week in class, I have not learned any new poses. However, I have learned how to take many of the poses I already know to a new level and work on perfecting them. I have felt my flexibility come back to the level that it was previous to my shoulder surgery. In certain poses, I have felt my flexibility and technique surpass where I once was. This is something that I thought would never happen. This gives me hope and excitement for me to gain new skills that I did not have before. 

In class, the more that Dr. Schultz talks about moving to head stands, hand stands, and forearm stands, the more excited I get. I cannot wait until we work on these more advanced poses and techniques. These are things that I do not have the opportunity to practice elsewhere with an instructor. I am also incredibly excited to begin to work on putting my feet behind my head (eka pada sirsasana?). This is something that I have always wanted to be able to do but never had anyone to teach me. In most classes that I have gone to, the instructors usually stay away from inversions and arm balance poses so that everyone in the class can do all of the poses. However, I have always wanted an advanced yoga class that will allow for students to explore more difficult poses that most other yogis and yoginis cannot do. 

Throughout my practice of this week, I have been able to practice and further my scorpion forearm stand. I was able to figure out how to get that last inch between my foot and my head by collapsing my middle back, which I would have never thought to do. Furthermore, I was also able to give this advice to others in my yoga class that I teach. If I had not been taught this in my Yoga and Philosophy class, I would not have been able to help my own students.

Also, I have been experiencing a decent amount of foot pain, which I do not know the cause of. However, I have noticed that after doing a yoga session, in which I work the tendons, my pain is relieved. This is something that has greatly helped in waiting for a doctor's appointment, which takes an inappropriately long time. I am very excited to be able to work towards harder poses that I thought would be impossible to do. I cannot wait until we get to much more difficult poses in class so that I can bring this knowledge outside of class and into my own class.

Until next time my fellow yogis and yoginis,

Namasté,

Upward-facing Bear

Still, Those Oscillations

Still, Those Oscillations 

The readings for this last week were very interesting. Instead of focusing on How Yoga Works, which I already made it painfully obvious that I am obsessed with it, I am going to focus on the Vrttis. These simple, Confucian-like sentences have a lot more within them that what appears at first glance. The sentences are constructed very simply, so that everyone could understand their surface value of it. However, each sentences builds off the previous ones, furthering a notions that has been previously established and building off of fundamental values it teaches you. By focusing on each individual Vrtti, one can come to a deeper understanding of the practice of yoga, looking deeper than the singular sentence presented. Then, once the individual sentences are comprehended, they piece together to form a framework that will guide anyone's ability to practice yoga. 

The Vrttis do not simply instruct on how to practice yoga, but what the benefits are, what happens when you fail in your practice, and what happens when you succeed in your practice. The main benefit of yoga is you gain the ability to dwell in your own true splendor, finding a sense of true self. When you fail in your practice, you are overcome with the fluctuations of your mind, caused by everyday life, which will lead you astray. Finally, whenever you succeed in your practice, the fluctuations of your mind are stilled, allowing you to explore yourself internally. 

Practice in class this week was different. First, we had discussions and presentations led by other students. This was nice because it encouraged us to share our thoughts amongst one another and get to know each other better. The presentations both by Kelsey and Maddie were very well done and put together. They explained their readings in a manner that I could follow and helped me appreciate the readings further. Also, I am starting to worry if we have enough ways to sort out the placement of our mats. The more complicated methods that we used this week were very interesting to be able to see where everyone is from and what their majors are. However, I cannot figure out what other ways Dr. Schultz has up her sleeve to sort us. I feel like eventually, we are going to have to start sorting by social security number or length of hair. These, nevertheless, are very intriguing to watch as we sort ourselves out and get to know one another better.

This week, I have fallen in love with shavasana all over again. It has been a long time since I have been able to just completely lose myself in it becuase I am usually watching the time and getting ready to wake everyone up. However, the ability to indulge in this practice fully while also exploring new ways to use bolsters and blankets that we do not have the luxury of in the bearobics studio has made me passionate about this practice again. 

Practice outside of class has been enjoyable as well. I have been noticing that I am continuing to shape and mold my classes that I am teaching as I learn new things in my Yoga and Philosophy class. I am able to incorporate new Sanskrit words into my practice and teach my students new concepts and ideas that I had not learned about yet. My sense of humor has also increased in my practice. Last class I taught, I caught myself telling my students to "think chair-like thoughts" during our practice of chair pose. 

Also, before this class, I had never used an eye pillow before, let alone a scented one. After I brought mine home the first time, I thought that I should try it out before bed to help me relax and fall asleep faster. I am not sure what happened first, whether the pillow somehow instantaneously knocked me unconscious, or the scent of lavender shut my brain down. Either way, I have never fallen asleep that quickly before in my life. I woke up wondering where I was, who I was, and where did that blasted pillow go. (Trust me, I made sure to find the little miracle worker). 

Stay zen, my fellow yogis and yoginis.

Namasté,

Upward-facing Dog

A Full Swing Back in Motion

A Full Swing Back in Motion

Now that we have survived the first two weeks of school, everything is back to the full swing of things. Tests loom over the horizon, essays wait, readings pile up, and so does the sleep debt. 

The best thing about school starting up is the start up of my yoga classes. I have had to opportunity to teach my first two yoga classes since before surgery, and I forgot how much I loved them. I was finally reunited with my devoted yogis and yoginis. However, I received some bad news following my Thursday yoga class. One of my friends back home had passed away. This was pretty shocking and devastating because about a year ago, I lost another friend to a fatal car accident. One thing was really different this time, and that was my practice. While my mind was buzzing, I was actually able to collect myself, do damage control, and minimize the time I was emotionally compromised. Without the practice I had developed outside of any class, I do not think that this would have been possible. Instead of being shut down for a day or two, I would have easily been down for a week. 

My practice outside of class has gown in ways that I never thought it would. Through my absence due to surgery, I have yearned for more and more yoga, and when that need was satiated, it allows my practice to blossom. Hard times, also allow for a beautiful practice. It takes your mind off of what is troubling you, allowing yourself to collect your thoughts. Much like how the lotus flower thrives in the murkiest of waters, so does one's yoga practice. 

Practicing in class has also been refreshing this week. One thing in every class that gives me chills every time is the instruction prior to bowing. It speaks something to the effect of the appreciation of because of the benefits you have received from yoga, the opportunity to practice it, and the lineage originating in ancient India, bow. I think this is the most beautiful way to end a class. You are informing your students of so much that they are now aware of about the art of yoga. Most people think it probably originated in upper-class white women needing a workout where they can still gossip about each other, but the origin is so much more. This phrase at the end of class is something I am trying to incorporate into my classes. When I do so, I notice a different kind of stillness and reverence once the class ends. It, in my opinion, settles in the person's soul. 

My practice in class also helps to set the tone for my practice outside of class. I finish my practice in class at about 4:45pm, and, then, I go over to the Student Life Center to prepare to teach my class. This has given my a mindset of serenity going into my classes, rather than the normal buzzing in my mind about everything that I have to do. Overall, it has helped enrich both my personal practice and the practice of others. 

Finally, the readings for this last week were very unique and eye-opening. The Vrttis taught me a deeper understanding of yoga that I never thought I would learn. Starting with how the seer is sometimes occupied with the changes of the mind, this is a very true statement for me. I am usually very busy, and, in that, I am usually not focussing on what I am doing but what I have to do next. So, for Patanjali to already know this about practitioners of yoga for millennia to come is amazing. Next, when he describes the different types of movements of the mind, it really enlightened me. I was then able to categorize the different types of fluctuations in my mind. For example, when I found out that my friend had passed away, I was able to figure out that my thoughts were painful and cognizable. This allowed me to direct my energies to calm these thoughts down. 

When Patanjali then goes into describing the different Vrttis, he exposes new ideas for people to focus on in the future. Through these five things, I can direct my energies to calm the fluctuations they caused and center myself in a new level of stillness. This is the baseline of yoga that I have always wanted and needed to learn about. If I am going to teach it, how can I possibly teach when I do not know its foundations. These simple sentences have opened my eyes to concepts that I thought I would never grow to learn. 

Until next time, my fellow yogis and yoginis,

Namasté,

the Upward-facing Bear