Skip to main content

Yoga Breakthrough!

 Been "practicing" yoga now for over a decade, and I've had mini steps forward, hardly noticeable, actually very much like the book "compound effect," little tiny incremental improvements that over the years manifest themselves into HUGE changes. Mentally and Physically. But today I had a breakthrough that is noticeable both mentally and physically, and I believe my "practice firmly" will improve immensely from it.  

The best way I can explain it is a mix of "body by science" and Yin and Yang, push and pull. My ignorance is going to show in this next statement, but whatever the name of the pose is where you are lying on your back, this is the Bikram Yoga 26 poses right after your standing session. You pull your leg up into your chest, and my teacher, Tonya (the absolute best), said the same thing she has for over 10 years. "biceps bulge pulls your leg into your shoulder" but today, either its the first time; she said it or its the first time I heard it (likely the latter) she said "push against your biceps" and I did, and when I say I did, I did. I mean to the point of shaking; every muscle group I could fire fired up, my arms were shaking, my legs shaking, and I was pushing/pulling so hard. 

Now I have to back up just a second. Historically, literally for the last 10-plus years, this yoga position would pinch a nerve in my hips, and I had a "locking" sensation no matter how hard I pulled with my arms, my legs would lock into place with a sharp pain in my hips shooting up my back. So like a rat getting shocked over and over and over, after a period, I just stopped pulling and brought my leg to the point just before the pinch and hoped that over time it would incrementally improve. Thats' one spot that didn't budge in my practice over the years. I had accepted, "this is the way my body is built." 

With all of my shaking, I thought to myself, maybe I moved the muscle from that pinching place and tried for the first time in a LONG time to pull further; sure enough, it felt like a mile further. It felt as if my hips opened up entirely. In reality, I understand that I probably moved a millimeter, but that MM changed my mind; from that point on every pose, I did the same thing; I found the yin and the yang. No longer was I in fear of pulling or straining a muscle; this is where the body by science comes in. In so many words, the book speaks to flexibility, strength, and recovery in five exercises, 70% of max weight, full rotation, and slow motion. It is the surefire way to build strength safely. because you are going to your maximum flexibility so slowly under not too much weight, your ability to know and push your limits is very well understood. Therefore, when I move into a pose, as I always have done, slowly methodically, that's now just the beginning. Once I reach my "static limit" (I'm struggling with the word or phrase here) then I incorporate body by science and strength training through yin and yang resistance. And because I control the resistance, I feel very safe in discovering my limits. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Psychology of Money: A Personal Insight

Recently, I had an experience that reshaped my understanding of the psychology of money. I took over a property management job where part of my payment came in physical cash, money previously directed to someone else for this task.  Most tenants paid digitally or by check, but one unit always paid in cash. Having that "management" fee/ maintenance fee tangible, in my hand, ignited a unique perspective. It wasn’t about the amount, but the form in which it arrived.  Sure, I could take a full-time job earning in excess of $10K a month. However, that wouldn’t necessarily change my life as it would only take more of my time, the one resource I can't regenerate.  Surprisingly, the extra $1K in cash monthly had a more significant impact, not because it was a windfall, but because it made me more mindful of my earnings. The physicality of cash and the process of earning it manually introduced a sense of value and respect for my work that was somewhat abstract before.  This p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Elk Hunt - Shakespearean style

In Meeker's vale, where mountains touch the skies, An alfalfa field before us calmly lies. Two hundred fifty elk, a sight to glean, To move unseen a task, nigh unforeseen. Our guide named Hugh, and Father by my side, We hunker down, in quiet we abide. At last I spot him—five by five, the bull, Amidst his kin, the scene is nearly full. A hundred thirty-eight yards separates, My steady aim on destiny debates. For three long minutes, in my sight he stays, But cow elk guard him, blocking aim and gaze. I dare adjust—alert, they bark and flee, My chance arrives, as if by fate's decree. The cows disperse, the bull steps forth alone, My rifle speaks; its aim and end are known. Down falls the bull, as twilight fades from view, Amidst the field and mountains' varied hue. A tale to pass, from elder unto youth, Of patience, skill, and undying truth.
Post a Comment
Read more

Declutter - What if

  Introduction The subject of decluttering has always been a hot topic in my family, but it was a recent conversation with my mom that really got me thinking. While there's never a bad time to declutter, I've discovered that timing can make a world of difference. The Psychological Underpinnings of Attachment Growing up, I was around family members who, while not hoarders per se, had a tendency to hang onto stuff—think tools gathering dust and too many sleeping bags "just in case." Over time, I noticed this emotional attachment to things didn't just clutter the house but also our minds. The Ideal Conditions for Letting Go After years of living amidst semi-clutter, I had an epiphany: the act of letting go can be incredibly freeing. It's funny how mental barriers often make it difficult to start the decluttering process. But once you overcome them, you're rewarded with a serene sense of calm. Life Events as Natural Catalysts While events like moving homes or ...
Post a Comment
Read more