Yoga asana

Our Friday ashtanga yoga class

Can you spot Erik in class?

Our daily yoga asana practice is what gives structure to our day. We rise every day apart from Saturdays and Moon Days at 5am (an improvement on 3.30am in Mysore) to start our practice at 6am.  As the sun starts to show itself, we are usually ready to welcome it with sun salutations.

Getting straighter and higher

In the full system of ashtanga (meaning 8 limbs) yoga, the purpose of the asana "limb" is to prepare the body to be able to sit and meditate for long periods. For me, this preparation brings together so many of the other elements of yoga: correct breathing to get the energy flows going around the body; a meditative state to still the mind and focus on the practice; being physically kind to yourself so that you get enough rest, the right food and liquids to commit to the daily routine of two hours' asana practice; being kind to yourself mentally so you don't punish yourself for not getting into those poses sooner, nor injure yourself trying to do so, nor compare yourself with anybody else in the room (I am guilty of all these)... Patience, humility, perseverance and acceptance are all developed.

So, how is it going for us? We've taken some pictures to show you. I am wearing long trousers since we are out on our balcony, and women are not to show body parts in India, and Erik is bare-chested in the traditional Mysore yoga practice style.

We came to India with a mission to be able to complete the First Primary Series of ashtanga yoga - the first sequence of postures if you like. But, though the mind is willing, the body isn't quite so. We soon realised that more than 20 adult years (each) of bad posture and other varied abuse could not be whisked away in the blink of a BA flight to the "sub-continent."

But there is always progress, albeit slow and steady. Now after almost 4 months, hips are opening, quadriceps are lengthening, shoulders are rotating and backs are twisting more than before.

Can't remember what this is called, but be impressed at Erik!

Erik's backbends look like bridges now rather than tables (mine are still tables).

Erik's improving backbends

 We have conquered the dreaded Marichasana B (somewhat of a pretzel posture) - see here...

I can now get into and stay a few seconds in a full lotus pose

Jimmy the dog totally stealing my lotus

We both stand on heads (our own) for the full count of 20 slow breaths then hold our legs half way down (or close enough) for a few counts...

Twice a week, in the evenings, our instructor also leads us through a yin yoga class. In this, in contrast to the faster pace of ashtanga asana, we hold a smaller number of poses for up to 7 minutes and breath long and slow while so doing. This apparently is a way to lengthen the deeper connective muscle tissue by "letting go" and "relaxing" in the pose, rather than dynamically engaging the muscles.

I can now "bind" (grab toe from behind my back)

Yin is certainly making a big difference to our practice, but it feels a lot like yang still, and nothing like relaxing for we tight-muscled ones. Try a posture with me now... Kneel on the floor, then keeping your feet under you, lean backwards until you're lying with your back flat on the floor. (Apparently it's OK if your knees raise or separate). Then hooooooooold for 7 minutes. Oh, and don't forget to breath, and release the muscles around the ribs... only use the minimum energy needed.... Are you broken yet? Is the sweat running back up your face and into your nostrils in the 40 degree heat? It's good for you I promise.

Now, as you were.

We are super happy with how things are going, and progress comes in so many ways, fuller breaths, greater focus, more energy and vitality. But, with over 40 years of anatomical misalignments between us, don't expect any fakir shows when we come home. We remain beginners in the long journey of yoga.