Thursday, November 26, 2009

Oh Urdhva Dhanurasana!

These past few weeks has left me occupied. Alex Medin was in town and I attended his weekend workshop and the 2-week Mysore class. It was intensive and there was a fervent energy in the air. Mysore in Yoga Mala totally felt different. In these two weeks my backbend was fully challenged, and it's already challenging enough for me on a "normal" day of practice.


Me practicing Urdhva Dhanurasan at home.
My Upper back radiated. It wasn't pain. It was more like a burning, shining feeling. Although I'm sure the only thing shining was my face and palms from sweat. Backbends have always been a hard asana for me to do. Given that my anatomy isn't reconcilable with this pose, I die every time I do it, but I do it anyway. The crazy things we do for yoga! 
My journey with this pose has been long and agonizing, and that "radiating" feeling is a milestone, microscopic to some people, but nonetheless a milestone for me! 
Really, sometimes we have to bend over backwards to see the bigger picture in life, to be more understanding of things that are different from us, to be more compassionate to others and especially to ourselves. 
Keep bending baby!
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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousNovember 26, 2009 at 1:28 PM

    babe, thats a lovely backbend u have there, and to hear about your radiation of light from your upper back brings a smile to my face :) congrats love, its a lovely yogini journey u have there going for u. and i love your last para.

    keep practicing babe, all is coming!

    Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more; hate less, love more; and all good things are yours.
    ~Swedish Proverb

    -steph

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  2. ChristinaNovember 26, 2009 at 5:59 PM

    Hey Steph! Thanks for the beautiful words. I've been cultivating a lot f positiveness in me lately and it's working. Joy is in my heart. Love!!!

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  3. BeyogaNovember 26, 2009 at 10:50 PM

    I think it looks wonderful to, no one can tell that you are struggeling!! It looks so light and easy :)maybe because you have come to "peace" with the posture?I remember Michel telling me not to be obsessed about obsticles. I laugh and think about the top I have from Yoga Thailand with a Paschimottanasana and it says "surrender". I wear it because I have to constantly remind myself of not beeing obsessed about my stiffness in forward bends ;)
    Keep up the good work my dear yoginin friend!!
    Love and light!

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  4. ChristinaNovember 28, 2009 at 12:06 PM

    Thanks B! Stiffness is a gift, so I learned. It helps us understand and respect our body more, this has been the case for me. Took years though for me to understand and see that. It's also a tool for us to communicate better to our students.
    Love!!!

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