I think I spoke too soon. Yesterday I was so gung ho about practicing 6 straight days. Last night I was in bed by 9:30 but could not sleep until 11. I still woke up at 4:45AM but I woke up tired. My practice was still pretty focus but I was starting to feel it. Noah suggested that I do a vinyasa after every side on seated postures. I told him that I tend to pace my practice knowing that I have a whole days work ahead of me and I tend to get wiped out if I do all the vinyasas. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of taking a nap after practice. Better yet, I don’t have the luxury of taking a shower after practice (“Italian baths� and a lot of deodorants don’t count). He understood and suggested that I do what I can. I think I’ll slowly add more vinyasas. One day I hope I can practice everyday like it was my last practice and just go after every posture. Dominic once told me that the beauty of practicing in Mysore is that you don’t have to do anything after practice. You don’t have to drive anywhere or do anything. It’s all about the practice. Somebody told me that when he was in Mysore, he would practice first thing in the morning, take a shower after practice, have breakfast, sleep all day, have dinner, then go back to bed and start everything all over again. I think that what I’m looking forward to the most.
I took Amanda’s advice this morning and took Olympic Blvd. I made it to work in 40 minutes (another 5-minute improvement). I don’t think I’ll ever make it in 30 minutes. I’m a slow driver and I’m even slower after practice. I’m too spaced out. I think I’ll stick with Olympic.
I’ve been reading everybody’s blog and I’ve noticed a lot of the bloggers are starting second series. That makes me feel like a complete beginner, not that it should matter. I normally start closing my practice after navasana, second series is nowhere in sight. Genetically, I’m built like a linebacker. I have huge thighs and calves and I’ve never lifted weights. I played a lot of soccer and basketball growing up (explains why hips are tight and lotus is for now only a dream) and I love to swim (marichasanas are a killer for me). That hasn’t stopped me though. I love ashtanga yoga and I love my practice. Surprisingly, my forward bends and back bends are relatively good. My practice has taught me to accept where I am and work with what I have. I know I’m in for a very long journey ahead of me but it’s going to be a blast. Practice, practice, practice and all is coming.
A few days ago while I was having lunch with a friend in Century City, I noticed a runner running without a shirt. Everybody around him were people all dressed for work. I thought to myself..."that should be me"