What I've read online is that one should practice either at sunrise or sunset for "best results." Because it fits better in my schedule I usually take an evening class but today I took a 60 minute, mid day class. I was curious to see if the time difference would change my experience. There were some new poses such as the one to the left The Lord of The Dance (no joke) or Natarajasana Pose which I failed miserably at.
As I gazed forward, people in the class looked amazing. Truly. Long, lean and healthy bodies just "opening up their heart chakras to the sky." I probably looked more like I was about to do a drunken jack -knife off a diving board. I'm projecting I will be able to do this pose by the end of my 90 days.
Today's instructor was male (the first yogi I've seen in basic street clothes during class) which makes the tally now 6 women and 3 males so far. Also, I've had a different teacher for every class which has shown me just how different the experience can be. Today's man (that sounds like a Loony Tunes Title, like "Kitchen of Tomorrow") had a mellow approach and I noticed this cast the most casual vibe of all the classes I'd taken.
Yoga is a very personal practice in a public place. You're instructed to work on your own "practice" (I will do a whole blog on this aspect of Yoga). It isn't like an aerobic class where people look at each other, laugh, scream out "woooh!" and commiserate over the perfectly sculpted spandex clad teacher who you think must be an asshole but are almost always totally cool. Fuckers. One thing they do have in common, you do sweat your ass off in each class!
I'm definitely getting better with my balance and am looking forward to eliminating some lower back pain, improving my circulation, relieving stress and restoring constant mirth.
Not too much to ask is it? :-)
Love this project! Just a thought: what about practicing at the front of the room? It might help you if you if there were no one in front of you to look at and feel like they're doing it "right" and you're doing it "wrong"...it might help you to draw inward and cultivate that "personal" aspect of your practice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan! I will give it a try but I always thought the super bad ass people go to the front just like in school. I've nothing to lose eh? I will do it tomorrow and report on the suggestion.
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