Playing Catch-up: Yoga 30 for 30 Challenge, Days 6 & 7

Am I on the wrong day? No.  I did not participate in yoga day 6 on the scheduled day due to illness.  What did I experience in attempting to 'let go' of the expectations, self-criticism, not to mention battling feelings of physical parody, but guilt for not practicing yoga!  I brazenly chastised myself several fleeting moments, which was followed by thoughts of, 'Why are you mentally accosting yourself? Take the evening off (from what appeared to be inverted and balance poses) and get some rest."

I did.  But then today, as I stayed home from work to rest and recover, I intermittently thought about falling behind in this 30 day challenge.  I recognized how easy it would be to 'skip' another day and 'blame' it on illness recovery.  I then considered how difficult it may be to regain momentum - would I let the entire 30-day commitment wash away with my dissolve?

No.  After feeling physically healthier throughout the span of the day (several rests and naps, many cups of tea, and some soup and a smoothie later!), I decided I would make an attempt at yesterday's practice without any pressure to complete today (day 7) if I felt ill.  I'm so thankful I have the commitment to self and to this blog, as well as a minor splash of resolve, to complete something I've started, even with obstacles.  Right now, I am taking time between two practices to write a few words about my 'day 6' practice.

Wouldn't you know, Day 6: Asana Alignment and Chakra Awareness: Svadhishthana, brought balance poses, chakra 2 (emotional center!), rigidity and fluidity, and the topic of 'guilt'.  How fitting.  And may I say, I want to keep instructor Amy Pearce-Hayden for my daily practice? (Yes, that fits right along with the 7 day klesha practice and I recognize the attachment, thank you very much!) What I noticed:

• my right hip seems 'bound'
• again moving the hip (while in bridge position) to one side changes the physical feeling and energetic flow when moving into a twist (I want to remember this for my own practice and for when I work with clients)
• when supine in the first twist, my right side body seems 'shorter' and my right shoulder had more difficultly staying grounded
• I find myself wanting to come out of a twist early - then Amy (instructor) noted how she prefers not to stay in these twists and that we can liken the resistance or challenge to when [in life] we do not want to move through [something] and how we can imagine water (element associated with chakra 2) moving around the rocks (obstacles!) in a stream

*sigh* I was reminded/made aware of the difference in energy flow on the two sides of my body. . .and how I can take short amounts of time and use slow, mindful movements to recenter, ground, and stabilize.  I feel good both mentally and physically!  If I keep writing, I will not get to 'day 7', so excuse me a few moments...

Miss me? :-) Day 7: Asana Alignment and Chakra Awareness: Manipura was equal parts blissful and challenging.  As this 30 for 30 practice takes me/us through the chakras, I easily recognize connections between the physical symptoms I have been experiencing and the connection to the chakras. Manipura = gemmed center = navel center = my stomach has been acting up for over a month. Additionally, chakra two is "associated with the element 'fire' and with ego or sense of identity and, if energy here is deficient, with feelings of shame. (Day 6 = chakra 2 = emotional center, element of water, fluidity/rigidity, guilt). Yowsa to both chakras - that really hits home for me right now!  What I noticed during the practice:

• my right hip seems to have more difficulty or resistance with realignment
• hamstrings are tight
• my patience in the 3 poses was limited and I found myself moving out of poses early
• part of moving out of poses also seemed to be connected to a slight feeling of dizziness or shortness of breath, likely part of not feeling well. I was mindful not to berate myself for this and moved into and out of poses as it worked for me.)

Huge revelation to self: I want to practice yoga every day. Not only do I think it is beneficial for mind, body, and spirit - right now my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self(selves?) are craving this daily practice. What's more, I was honestly expecting a more intense practice in terms of a physical/hatha yoga flow (not that I am an expert in yoga practices); I have been very pleased with the slow and purposeful alignment and education that has accompanied the 30 for 30 challenge. Yay! Looking forward to more :)

@CoachBurow #yogaeveryday #30for30 #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth #yogachallenge