Anusara, Clumsiness and Mind-Body

I feel so clumsy in practice. Discovering new angles to bend the body in and new methods of movement is always a bit of a head trip. And I do not feel that familiar, strong connection with the instructor. Maybe it is just too soon. Maybe in some cases it just takes time. All I know is that I left class beaming with joy. I went and bought 20 beautiful, golden bananas. I ate ~10 of them for breakfast with 5 cups of green tea. Life is delicious.

I got stuck doing yoga (this /the following) morning. Hooked on. Molasses. Openings in my body. Calm  & Keenly Concentrated mind. Tough to pull myself away. Had to get ready & packed for work in 15 minutes. Phew! Prioritize and Compromise and keep it Killer, kids. 

1 weekend of teacher training (TT) and my whole Vinyasa feels revived. My tadasana a bit less shaky. My downward-dog a bit more centered. My Chatturanga! Kind of starting to love it? My fingertips grip the mat! White with concentrated power. Such a simple concept. And yes, it was beat into my head long before it permeated into the muscles and bones of my body. Now that it has clicked mentally and physically, I see that it makes such a difference in the whole Vinyasa. It is tadasana’s grounding for the hands. I foresee this laying the foundation for some kick-as(s)ana handstands. 

Would like to end by quoting some TT reading: Hartranft’s traslation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra:

Conciousness settles as one radiates friendliness, compassion, delight, and equanimity toward all things, whether pleasent or painful, good or bad. 

Or by pausing after breath flows in or out.

Or by steadily observing as new sensations materialize.

Or when experiencing thoughts that are luminous and free of sorrow.

Or by focusing on things thatd onot inspire attachment.

Or by reflecting on insights culled from sleep or dreaming. 

Or through meditative absorption in anu desired object.

Freedom from wanting unlocks the real purpose of existence.