Organic Flow

I really needed a long yoga practice.  I love the Kundalini and always end up sore and sweaty from it but I needed to just have a day (just a day, I won't think ahead any further then that, lol) where I surrender to a long yoga experience, to really work out my kinks.  I used to be such a hard-ass when it came to yoga; I would FORCE myself to do at least one hot 90 minute practice everyday (sometimes two)...and while this was good for me, I was rigorous about it, not giving myself any off days and had to push myself hard every time...until all my effort went to waste because I got burned out.  My body just said, "no more" after awhile.  Despite yoga asanas being such a great thing, the ego can get involved and then make it not such a good thing.

Of course I still LOVE throwing myself full-throttle into things, yoga too, but I have learned that it is essential I have more compassion for myself and do yoga, not to satisfy my ego, but to soothe my soul.  To align my will with the Cosmic Will.

So tonight I decided I wouldn't do Kundalini, but to attempt a full power yoga practice.  My mind immediately rebelled when I rolled out the mat because it is accustomed to me pushing hard and being anal retentive about my practice - not allowing myself any leeway to have "fun."  But FUN is a VERY essential part of yoga, in my opinion!   Today I decided I would enjoy my practice and just take it one breath at a time...

I read about how sAM did her practice to music the other day...and that gave me an idea for how to invigorate more fun into my yoga.  I decided instead of being all serious and traditional about it, I would break my own "inner rules" and just flow to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon + Wish You Were Here...two of my favorite albums.  I decided to do it nude because the thought of doing it with clothes on was unbearable for some reason...clothes make me feel very confined in poses.  I cranked up my space heater to see if I could get a good sweat going....even though I intended to take it easy...

So I began, and I LITERALLY took it breath by breath.  Within 30 seconds of beginning my flow, I had a thought of "I don't think I can do this entire thing," but when I thought that, I gave myself a long pause, simply existing in neutral, before I felt ready to continue.  The thing is, I always felt ready to continue after these little pauses in which I could catch my breath.  I thought that was neat.  I didn't need to get off the mat...I just needed to find rest and peace ON the mat.

What really helped me loosen up was doing a flowing dance within the early poses to Pink Floyd. Especially the Warrior poses. 

In the past I used to be very VERY rigid about my flow, thinking:  "I have to do every pose I know, including variations, NO EXCEPTIONS, every time."  Well, that's not very fun, when you FORCE yourself to do that every single day.   This day was totally different.  Listening to the smooth beats and harmonies of Pink Floyd...I dissolved myself into whatever felt right.  I moved slowly, with intent, totally nonthinking.  Looking back I don't remember much of the practice.  It just felt so organic and natural.  I remember my ego sparking up here and there...but each time I would just pause, breathe, and then slowly move into the next pose.

It was probably the most relaxing yoga session I've ever had.  And yet I definitely removed some blockages and stirred up energy, because I felt like I was going to throw up at one point.  I calmly reflected about how the ego is in the seat of the stomach and if my stomach was nauseous that meant there was a shift happening in my ego and then I blanked out again and didn't have any more nausea.   What amazes me is that I didn't push myself hard at all...just enough...and it was enough.  I was so so compassionate and kind to myself.   Nonetheless I was dripping in sweat and could barely stand at the end, just languid and tranquil.  I must have gone for over 90 minutes but I wasn't really aware...and I see now how it doesn't even matter.  The time you spend doing yoga doesn't matter...the number of poses you do does not matter...all that matters that you arrive...and just let go. 

I feel pretty great right now.  Emotionally stirred up.   But amazed at the level of compassion I was able to show towards myself and the enjoyment I got out of my practice.  It wasn't slave drudgery.  It wasn't a military drill.  It was just totally organic flowing...

Thanks Pink Floyd.

Doing it when I don't want to.

So today I was just having one of those days.  My sleep schedule is sooo messed up, leaving me confused most of the time about whether it is daytime or nighttime, and often very sleepy because I continuously try to correct the sleep schedule and stay up all day.   Also I started my period today and felt just pretty blah, sensitive, and crampy.  

The LAST thing I wanted to do was my 45 minute Kundalini practice. 

I could hear my brain trying to talk me out of it.  "It won't matter if you miss a day of yoga," it lied to me.  "You don't have the energy right now."   Stuff like that, but fortunately...I had OTHER self-talk going on, that empowered me onwards...

"Just sit down, arrive, and let it happen.  Listen to Gurmukh." 

I really really didn't want to.  I was in such an annoyed mood this morning.  But I have made a commitment towards doing yoga for 30 days...and to be honest, I thought of this blog, Yoga Sangha, and how the members of my spiritual community are helping to hold me accountable for my own mental states.  It really helps to associate with people who are on similar paths and have similar goals. 

So I did it.  I felt resistance the entire time and my mind felt very restless except after I got to the hopping/punching one to release anger and the hand shaking exercise to restore nerve energy.  That really did me in.  I was pouring sweat and all my resistance was gone.  I blanked out and don't remember the rest, but I know I felt peace. 
 
I'm very thankful I got myself to practice yoga...I felt in a much improved mood afterward.  

Note to self: do it when you don't want to. 

Hello

Hello,

Well, I'm inviting everyone I know who is in the "heart" (you all know who you are) so that we can support each other in being a yogic community even across distances.  I just feel this need for "community" and I've felt this way for a long time.  I wish I could be sharing life in person with all of you but chances are our paths will cross again.  In the mean time, I'd like to stay focused on my spiritual growth and one way to do this is to embrace the concept of Sangha...a spiritual community that helps to hold each other accountable and to support and help the practices of others as a measure of their own practice. 

There are multiple authors who can post their spiritual experience, physical and nonphysical 

I feel like focusing on my Sangha (spiritual community) will help me stay focused on my yoga practice. 

My goal is to challenge myself with yoga more intensely over the next 30-60 days.  Even just doing a few hip opener yin poses are totally okay.  The point is just to give yourself over to yoga for a few moments each day.  If you feel like doing a lot of yoga, do a lot of yoga.  If you feel like just exploring a single pose for a day, then that's cool too.  Of course there is more to yoga then the asana...I'd like to explore all form of yoga besides just the physical. 

But basically I thought we could support each other in yoga and making positive choices that align us to the Cosmic Will...

My goals:

Yoga everyday for 30 days
Practicing Ahimsa (nonharming) every day