When I first practiced ashtanga, I would do the led primary class and practice the whole series. When I eventually learned the sequence, I developed my mysore practice. One of the first lessons I learned in my mysore practice was not to spread myself too thin. I was immediately told by my teachers to start closing at navasana. At first I resisted but eventually found the value of not getting ahead of myself. It is such a humbling practice. I sometimes wish I could dabble with the more advance postures but for the most part I'm happy at where I am.
Before I arrived here, I had a list of things I wanted to do (horseback riding, spend lots of time in the beach, scuba diving, spend time with family and friends and give massages). Last Wednesday, I finally did my scuba diving refresher course and had my first dive in Hilutungan Island right off Mactan. It's a marine sanctuary with all kinds of marine life. I'm so happy I was able to squeeze diving into my busy schedule. I was so happy that day that I decided to do the advance open water course before my frist dive. On my first dive, I went down 40 feet deep. I couldn't equalize any deeper but was satisfied because most of the marine life was at around 30 feet. I don't know what happened on my second dive but I could only equalize at around 20 feet. I think I put too much pressure on myself to go deeper because I know that I could go as deep as 60 feet without any problems. I think my post nasal drip had a lot to do with ability to equalize. This Tuesday, I'm suppose to do my next two dives which I may just cancel if my allergies don't clear out.
My ashtanga practice has taught me not to spread myself too thin. That exactly what I've done on this trip. I've pressured myself to do so many things that I haven't done a full yoga practice in more than a week. I have 10 days before I leave Cebu and I'm already booked till Tuesday. It's like I've been practicing the whole series. I've spread myself too thin. I will drop my scuba diving and just focus on my horseback riding class instead. I have too much social obligations here. I'm really enjoying my time here but my ashtanga practice has taken a few steps back. I will continue to enjoy myself here and not beat myself up too badly but I have to admit, I'm looking forward to heading for Mysore so I focus on what this journey is all about.