tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836531022056896866.post7995384830534289186..comments2023-03-19T03:55:23.069-07:00Comments on Southern Yogi: Ashtanga Practice (revisited)Flohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07751770339290792602noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836531022056896866.post-80533896312433316342009-07-13T11:13:47.842-07:002009-07-13T11:13:47.842-07:00Thanks Douglas.
You pointed out some very true and...Thanks Douglas.<br />You pointed out some very true and relative things.<br />I too think it is intereting and difficult to find the balance. The maximum edge. I tend to play it safe in most practice, just past the minimum edge during my home practice. Ashtanga yoga embodies this allure and this ridgity I used to carry to my mat. I am hoping that as I try to re-embrace the primary series that I learn to "bump against the edge" while listening to my body and in essence...being fully present and aware of my practice. Which should include the mind and body. Thanks for sharing here!Flohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07751770339290792602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2836531022056896866.post-47872981108368495222009-07-13T10:31:07.771-07:002009-07-13T10:31:07.771-07:00I just found your blog googling about trying to av...I just found your blog googling about trying to avoid work for a minute [grin], and this post really resonated with me.<br /><br />This part in particular:<br /><br /><i>I was pushing my self too hard; injuring myself and feeling very very defeated by the practice I walked away from it. I am not proud that I walked away from it.</i><br /><br />How to find the edge of a practice and figure out how to cozy up to it, even bump against it occasionally, in a safe way. That's probably my biggest challenge right now. One of my teachers just wrote what I thought was a wonderful blog post on the topic: <a href="http://weenapauly.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-do-we-listen-practice.html" rel="nofollow">how-do-we-listen-practice</a>.<br /><br />It also came up in an off-blog conversation with <a href="http://grimmly2007.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Grimmly</a> recently, where I said:<br /><br /><i>It becomes interesting to me to think about a self-taught home practice vs. a practice at a shala. Even though I know intellectually that I'm the one who has the most intimate knowledge of my limits, I'm more likely to push a limit when someone I respect requests it of me. Which is probably one of the best things for me (trying hard is good), and also one that introduces danger of injury (pushing past physical limits is bad).<br /><br />Ah, the quest for comfortability with the edge, and being gentle when I bump against it.</i><br /><br />This is all new to me (in the past I would make every effort to suppress my body's voice when it said stop) and difficult for me (I still want to, but my desire to not injure myself is now gaining a voice as well).<br /><br />Thanks for your writing, and I hope whatever your rediscovered relationship with Ashtanga becomes is a safe one!<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />-- Douglas HunterDouglas Hunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01049513881799475970noreply@blogger.com