Getting back into yoga these past few weeks, I have noticed and begun to appreciate so much more about my body than I have in a long time. It is amazing how much getting back into the swing of things happens so organically. At times, it feels as though I never left, and other times I notice things about my posture that weren't there before. Playing with my poses on the mat allows me to figure out how my body naturally wants to move. This helps in real life.
Since I got back on my mat, I have been pretty confident about staying true to my body, and modifying when I need to. Many yogis, including myself, challenge themselves to push themselves further and further, but yoga is really about listening to your body, and dialing it back is what serves me best at the moment.
I have been extra careful about re-injury, but it's time to stop babying myself. I'm ready! So, I was working with my physical therapist on my yoga posture the other day, making sure that I was in alignment in my practice. I wanted to make absolutely sure that I'm working the right muscle groups so that I don't do something dangerous trying to be superwoman (or a beautiful warrior) on my mat. Surprisingly, he only had a couple of pointers for me. I don't know why I was so surprised. I have been doing yoga for over seven years now and I have had some really great teachers in that time, but I took a long break from my practice so I assumed that I would be rusty. I have to pay extra attention, and things feel different than before, but I know what I'm doing.
When my PT was working with me off the mat, he was beginning to use yogic terms (starting with things like "lunge," but also "malasana," and "mountain") while relating them to everyday activities. Putting into practice off the mat everything I've learned through yoga about proper alignment and posture gives me the tools to conquer life with ease. Keeping the alignment tips and adjustments I learned this week in mind, I feel confident that I can be a graceful warrior, both on and off my mat!
Message of the Day: Take a holistic approach to your challenges; it may ease your struggle.
...Or don't. It won't change my reality. Cheers!
No comments:
Post a Comment