I had a lot running through my head and was emotionally charged yesterday when I decided to expel some energy in a class. It’s been about a year since I’ve taken a full Primary Series Class (go to yoga style page to read about this style of yoga) and I barely remember the sequence and do not have a very powerful regular practice. It was exactly what I needed. The 5 sun salutation a’s, then 5 b’s were just like I remembered but way faster than I remembered! Suddenly my muddled thoughts were replaced with intense concentration. Intent on keeping up, I could only focus on the movement. My injury (broken radial head left arm) having had 3 months to heal is still a place of weakness. To be expected of course, but you don’t know you can’t do something till you try it right???? Well apparently I cannot do every vinyasa in this class, or even 2 thirds without starting to seriously favor the injured arm. My right hip is aching a little and my knees are tight and sore. The compression on the right side of my spine and ribs was really actively compressing yesterday and limiting my downward dog… But Ana has a soothing voice and she is keeping me focused. Throughout the practice my physical pain and limitations became very emotional and took me to a place of being angry at my body, angry about my life, angry about all of the things I have no control over. Then Ana reminded us (which I recite like a broken record in my own teachings) “this is your practice, find your own expression of the pose”. I then began to nurture my limitations and rest, because I was tired. By the end of class I needed a gallon of water and a nap but could hear the crispness of the air as it flowed over the tiny hairs in my ears. My head still raced but I was too tired to listen. I was left in a flood of emotion and tears but feeling free. My body is aching today, I might have pushed my knees to hard but the compression in my back has lessened and my wrist feels limber. Overall it inspired me to try again next week if only for the silence I experienced in the first 30min of class. This is the first of many experiences I plan to share.
www.redpearlyoga.com
www.redpearlyoga.com
