“YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE. YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE.
This is the Universe, and I just wanted you to know, once and for all, that time is on your side, that space is just an illusion, and that matter is simply my little way of showing you exactly what you’ve been thinking lately.
Now that we’ve got that squared away, think yourself an amazing day, dearest.”
HRV Score: 58
Relative Balance: 10 (Parasympathetic)
Sleep: 7h 14mMeditation Practice: 7:55am - 13min - 741hz
Overall morning mood: Woke up feeling pretty good. A little discomfort on the inside of my left knee. I believe it’s from the tightness of my groin and inner quads from doing lateral lunges.
“Never expect. Never assume. Never ask. Never demand. Just let it be, if it’s meant to be... it will happen.”
GYM: Stability Circuit
Warm Up Run
20 minutes
2.23miles
Average HR: 128
Stability Circuit 1 (3X)
REACH-BACKS - 15/SIDE
CLAM SHELLS - 15/SIDE
PRONE COBRA - 30SEC UP/30 SEC REST X4
HIP EXTENSIONS - 20 W/10 SEC HOLD AT TOP
SEATED TUMMY VACUUM’S - 25 BREATHS
PRONE PLANK - 60/90/120 SECONDS
Stretched & Rolled out
Notes: It felt incredibly awesome to run. I stretched dynamically while I was walked and warmed up before my run. It alleviated every bit of discomfort in my knee. I love clam shells and might start adding those to other routines as well. The slower I go, the more my inner legs shake. I think my right side is a bit more tighter when it comes to my hips.
“Soma yoga is any number of practices that incorporate the movement healing system of somatics. The idea behind somatics is that slow, gentle exercises re-educate the nervous system and allow the release of tight, restricted muscles, thereby promoting healing. Yoga practices based on somatics blend this concept with appropriate yoga asanas.”
“Soma is a word derived from Greek that refers to the whole body, but it also has meaning in Indian traditions. The Sanskrit word, soma, means “moon” and is also the name of the Hindu moon god who is known for kindness and gentleness.”
YOGA: Corepower C1
Class # 18
C1 14/18
Average HR 89
Class today was great. Taught by Nico. Its been interesting seeing how different teachers lead their classes. Nico didn’t spend too much time today discussing philosophy, much more emphasis on breath, posture and movement.
Class today was small, only three of us. Which again, I think is great. He assisted me in Pigeon, Eka Pada Rajakapotasana, which felt amazing. the weight pressed from the back helps deepen that stretch and feels great. He had done something along my spine, I meant to ask about but spaced it. He also helped in forward fold, Paschimottanasana, in a similar fashion. He instructed me to bend my knees and fold rather than keeping my legs straight. Such a better stretch.
According to Yoga Journal, if I am having some serious diarrhea issues or ate taco bell the night before, I should avoid this pose. haha, what the heck.
I had a brief moment to talk with Nico after class, which is so helpful. His feed back and constructive criticism has already helped immensely. I once again asked about my hamstrings and he suggested that I continue to stretch with my knees bent as it allows my hips to tilt. It made sense, especially in the rag doll pose, Baddha Hasta Uttanasana, which I have been doing incorrectly as simple as the posture is. Incorrect moment and postures has very little value. Per our discussion I will continue to focus on my hamstrings and hips. I wish I had more time to speak after class, but was in a rush to get to work, traffic was going to be ever so pleasant with the fresh fallen snow.
Thanks again NIco for a great class. Infinite Love & Gratitude!
Letting go is the hardest asana.
Notes & Quotes: The Inner Tradition of Yoga Pgs 12-18
Dualism is constructed
Yoga is a method of returning us to the inherent union and interconnections of all existence.
The past emerges in the present in the form of bias and habits.
It is being so fully present in an action, or non-action, that you dont need to create a self. It is giving yourself so fully, you dont need a reward. When we live authentically, we are not simultaneously creating a sense of “I, ME or Mine,” we are simply being our selfless self.
The practice is not the goal but the way of us to move through different stages of the path toward a more open and sincere way of being. This sincerity of being (Karuna) is a result of a healthy yoga practice.
If our practice is creating flexibility of the body without a corresponding flexibility of the heart, we need to redress the way we conceive of and engage in practice. If we develop a flexible body but retain a stiff mind, we are not practicing yoga.
See if you can listen with your heart rather than your intellect.
Yoga opens us up to a transparent state of being where the world passes through us without obstacle.
Two Book Themes
The essence of yoga teaches us that all forms of clinging create suffering
a disciplined and appropriate practices leaves no stone unturned.
How much suffering have we felt through our inability to tolerate and live in the midst of change?
Path of Yoga first two steps
Practice (Abhyasa) and letting go (Vairagya)
From these spring the cultivation of more wholesome intentions and actions of body, speech, and mind, and letting go of historical and ensnaring attitudes.
We can only know a grounded, flexible, and free life when we commit to practice and cultivate the skill of letting go.