Progress…
Oh, it’s Thursday…I always like Thursdays b/c it is so close to the end of the week and tomorrow’s led primary has become something that I very much look forward to! Never used to be that way b/c the practice is so fast when Guruji leads it – but now that it’s the only day each week that I practice primary series – I quite enjoy it! I also like Thursdays b/c by this time during the week my body is screaming for “rest day” and it is very very close!
So, I must say I feel like I’m making a great deal of progress in LIFE! With my practice, with myself, with everything – and it is such a nice feeling. My addition of cardio back into my life still challenges my practice ten – fold, but I think it’s a great thing for my practice. In terms of my cardio strength – it is definitely building back up, which makes me feel better physically! I really noticed it these last two days as my heart rate is much slower and I’m able to do more for a longer duration. I also feel even more aware of my body and how my body functions b/c of it. Of course the downside is that I am much tighter in practice than before – but that’s ok – with time it will not affect my practice as much….And the last two days I’ve been getting up at 3:30am so I could do some very slow, deep stretching of my hips and back before practice – and it has made a WORLD of difference! I am still quite tight when I begin practice – but it really does help. And the last two days I’ve had no trouble with Eka Pada or Dwi Pada!!! And not only that but I am progressing with Dwi Pada by leaps and bounds. I’ve been able to balance on my tailbone the last two days – and here I thought it’d never be possible – simply amazing how your body can do things you’d never imagine it could.
All around, practice was fantastic today – a challenge – but good nonetheless. I felt very connected to myself today – I really put a great deal of focus on my bandhas this morning – haven’t felt so connected to them recently…My breath was great and I had no distractions. As I am much tighter these days I feel like I’m new to the standing poses in a way I haven’t felt in so very long – and it a wonderful feeling. I always think fondly of the first days of my Ashtanga practice and how challenging it was physically and mentally – and I’m really feeling that again….I definitely went through phases when I felt like the standing sequence was really stagnant for me physically and somehow it affected me mentally (maybe it’s the other way around 
but either way, I really getting the most outta my practice again in both respects. My second series practice is so humbling for me and so wonderful b/c of it. I never ponder over when I’ll get another pose b/c I know I have sooooo much work to do with all the poses I already have…I understand more each day about how powerful this practice is in so many ways and to me that is phenomenal! And while I feel I am most definitely progressing, the most important part of it all is the awareness I’m gaining with each breath I take…It feels wonderful to see myself gaining more control over certain postures, getting deeper in others, and finding more balance all around. I must say that the focus I’ve had recently is by far one of the greatest benefits to my practice and my life b/c of my practice. Even finishing sequence has felt much different this week – it’s been awesome!
On a personal level, I feel I’m progressing on nearly every level. Finding more peace within and without. Finding I’m enjoying the things I do more than before – and really embracing this time here! While I’m thinking about my upcoming trip home, it’s not with the same panic emotions I felt a few weeks ago. Everything will come together and fall into place exactly as it’s supposed to – so I’m just trusting in the universe more and that brings me a lot more peace of mind. Of course planning must take place on my part – but as I’ve learned these last six months – too much planning can be disastrous…So just as everything else in my life – I am working towards balance! That has to be one of my absolute favorite words nowadays…Always ‘liked’ the word but now I’m beginning to understand it so much more, and thus embrace and working to embody it as well!
I hope this entry finds you well – peace be with you!
OM Shanti