Unhappy Practice and Garbha Success

Well, in today's Led Primary I managed to rock my garbha around and come back to sitting, just in time to be hoisted into Kukkutasana. However, I can only rock by swinging my forearms around for momentum. Tim commented something about a magnificent drama or something typical like that.

So, Kukkutasana is the only posture in Primary that I am incapable of attaining without help. Well, I can't quite cross my feet in Supta Kurmasana, but that's very close. Speaking of which, my hips are opening, so my legs are coming further around my shoulders, which is deeply exciting. Michelle gave me an excellent adjustment yesterday, pulling my legs further behind my shoulders before crossing my feet. The tittibasana exit was excellent. The practice works, as it turns out...

Teaching is fun, taxing, nervewracking, and rewarding all at once. I normally teach a Monday night intro class, where we do the basics of Primary - essentially all of standing, skipping ardha baddha padmotanasana, and the first half of seated skipping the half loti and skipping to backbends after the Marichis. I subbed for Lorraine on Tuesday, where we pared down Primary but added in the half loti, Marichyasana B, all the jannus, etc. I was proud of the students for giving everything an honest effort. One in particular reminded me of myself several years ago - the big, burly, stiff white guy giving a valiant effort despite undoubtedly feeling very self-conscious of the bendy women surrounding him.

Ironic how in the West yoga has a reputation for being a women-centric activity, something women are naturally better at then men. Then you practice every day for a few years and realize that everybody is challenged. The beauty of Ashtanga. 

Tomorrow's a Moon Day. Full moon, time to howl a little.

Practice Review

Not much to report.

Marichyasana D is routine, I can hold it for five of Tim's breaths but longer than that and it becomes quite painful.

Garbha is improving in that I can manage a few more rocks before beaching myself. It and kukku are the only poses that are giving me trouble.

Everything else in Primary is routine. My backbends are getting deeper as I manage to work up into my upper spine.