Every week can't be a good week

Or you can't appreciate the really good ones. Since last Wednesday I have had grinding fatigue that has caused me to severely limit my activities. Well, I limited them this week, didn't last week, and that's probably why I am still so tired that I can barely hold up my head. My yoga practice has also been limited, down to 3 or 4 hours each week instead of 5 or 6.

One of our assignments this week was to research poses that would address a particular area. I looked up fatigue, and wouldn't you know it, there are poses that might help with fatigue...should have looked them up last week, but was too tired..get the irony?

The poses that are fupposed to help with fatigue are listed below, I've added the sanskrit names if they are ones that I know I want to learn. Poses:
Headstand (184), shoulder stand (234), plow (244), Paschimottanasana - seated forward fold (160), Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana - looks like a forward fold on your back, and rather impossible if you ask me (170), downward facing dog - Adhomukha Svanasana (75), forward fold - Uttanasana , although it doesn't look much like mine (48), seated twist - Ardha Matsyendrasana (311), squating twist (328), squatting fold (322), I don't even know what to call this one, and I think if I were to do yoga for 10 more years it wouldn't scare me so much (516), looks like a headstand with a twist, maybe not in this lifetime for me (205), and the ultra extension of the dancer's pose (592).

Although many of these are beyond my scope of hopefulness at this point, there are some that I can practice. I also have the problem of acid reflux that prohibits me from doing inversions at times, so I should probably look up those, too, and see if maybe, just maybe, there are any cross-overs. Nope.

I should also say that I was feeling a lightness of practice before I felt the fatigue. I am able to go deeper in standing poses, and love the feel of my body as it accomplishes what I ask of it. The spirituality of being in my body and out of it at the same time is phenomenal.

I heard a radio interview with a person whose spinal cord was injured in a car accident at the age of thirteen. Today, at 28, he actively practices, and relies on yoga, for deep physical and spiritual meaning. Although he is in a wheel chair he is able to ask much from his body. His spiritual expression was a enlightening.

As for my fatigue, this, too, shall pass, and I will again be able to resume practice and feel strength course through my legs. If not, I have some poses to try!

February 13, 2012

Moving right along found lower abdominal muscles that noticed two weeks ago with Jeani. Will focus on those in this week’s practices.

February 18, 2012

“The beauty of yoga is that it gives us a straightforward, time tested technique that allows us to rise above and to discard our lower nature (the possessive aspect of our being) while nourishing our higher nature (the universal aspect of our being).” Yoga for a new Age, p. 20

I feel changes in my body – I hope that I am not imagining it. I feel more movement in my back, even a little less pain.

This week I focused on my lower abdominal muscles, quite intriguing. By using these muscles I think I might be able to stabilize my standing poses, probably all poses.

I went to classes Monday through Thursday, and was set to go with Len on Friday when it occurred to me that I could stay home and create my own practice. Novel idea, huh? Before I began Len returned home and joined me. I wasn’t prepared to create a logical practice, but quickly came up with a plan.

As I write this I wonder why I have been so intimidated by a personal practice. Do I think I will not be able to fill an hour? Come on, I have been going to enough classes to remember a plethora of poses. Do I think I don’t have the self-discipline to stick with it? It should be easier to stay home and practice than get into a cold car and go to the studio.

I had another “light bulb” moment, however it doesn’t make much sense when I lay it out. I know I won’t practice regularly if I feel pain or discomfort. And, pray tell, what causes discomfort? The leg raises!!! I really dislike them. They hurt my low back and my hamstring muscles are sooo tight. I feel pain, stress, and inadequacy. Maybe there is a way to do them without hurting my back, and as for my ego, I don’t know what to do about that.

The reading for this week have been meaningful and helpful. I have the beginnings of a meditation practice, both with a group and on my own. “To fulfill our highest calling we must spread our wings and fly above the earth plane. Yet, in rising above the physical reality we must maintain proper perspective regarding our involvement….” Yoga for a New Age, p. 20

Today begins my yoga week, am looking forward to more adventures in body and soul search.

Wow! I think that I must have the tightest muscles on the face of the planet - but, now that I'm off my acid reflux medication, I am hoping that they will loosen. Last week I rested, relaxed, had chiropractic treatments, a physical therapy session with traction, and a massage. Would you believe it? Each session helped but I'm still feeling as supple as Frankenstein.

My practice was severely shortened last week, but I'm hoping to take a different tack this week - more practices that are lighter. The doctor suggested that I do more back bending activities and less forward bending activities.

I begin my days with cat and cow poses, then on to the side puppy pose, you know, the one where you try to see your rear from the table top position. Then I "Thread the Needle" and go into a Sun Salutation. Tomorrow I will go to Jeani's class, glad she will be home from her trip!

I think I have had quite a break, so will check in tomorrow with an update. Peace, Pat

Week Three

I had an "aha" moment about my very stiff muscles and lower back pain, and the moment appeared right in the middle of our second teacher training session. I have been taking Prilosec (heartburn and acid reflux) for quite some time - years, and thought I should check for side effects. Right! Long term use may cause spinal stenosis (check, I have it), and muscle spasms (double check). Of course, I have stopped taking the cute little pills, and am hoping my muscles respond by becoming supple and cooperative.

I am concentrating on breathing this week, and finding rhythm in the poses.

Saturday, beginning Week Three

February 4, 2012

Week Three. My body is VERY tight this morning. I practiced yoga Monday through Thursday mornings this week, and noticed on Thursday that my body didn’t want to move with my mind – we weren’t in union.

Tuesday was the Viniyoga class with Johanna, got along well, noticed that I have to consciously practice breathing along with the moves, or I hold my breath. I also focused on lateral movement, so that I might better understand why it is more difficult to move to the left. Not only are my rib and side muscles reluctant, my spine doesn’t see the need to move to the left. More work necessary.

Wednesday was Hatha I with Karen, remembering lateral movement and breath, still need constant recognition. I might need to focus on breath forever!!

I had a massage on Wednesday as well as a chiropractic appointment, and really drank water, but evidently not enough. I was tight and sore on Thursday morning, didn’t want to get out of bed, much less go to Yoga. I had ViniYoga again, and focused on the stretching aspects, still wanted to be at home eating bonbons. The forward fold felt good on my back, I moved a little deeper and a little deeper, and then a little “pop.” Ugghhh. I spent the rest of the day on a heating pad, but didn’t do as badly as I feared. My back was tender, and hurt a little when I walked, but it was time for a rest anyway.

Friday was my day “off.” I was able to move pretty well, and am much better today. Still really tight, but not much pain. How do I deal with this and still practice yoga? Oh, I know, sensibly!