Yoga diary
Routine: 'Learn Yoga' - Beginners (58 mins)
Time: 1.30pm
Walked Peyton in the morning yesterday and did chores before practice so I was nice and warm when I started. Nothing major to say. It was okay; not super focused but not terrible either. I've been having a lot of problems with my upper back hurting/seizing up during forward bends, especially when I'm actively trying to keep my back straight and/or using a belt to assist with the stretch. I've been experimenting with holds on the belt and have found that a soft hold helps a lot with this. I also never used to pay attention to my bent leg during 'head to knee' pose but I can really feel the difference now that I do.
I was definitely upset yesterday so I'm not surprised my focus wasn't 100%. Oh, and being upset, I noticed once again how emotionally and physically challenging twisting postures are. Marichyasana III in particular is really difficult so much of the time. Usually, it is tough for me because I carry all my tension in my shoulders and this really focuses on that area. When I'm upset about something? Hoo boy. When my grandfather was dying and I was planning my wedding, I really committed to yoga, and it was one of the few things that kept me going. I was doing the advanced routine from this DVD then; a full 1hr 30 minutes, and for the longest time, Marichyasana II and III would make me cry. When I could finally breathe through them, it left such a lightness in my heart. They make me feel like I'm reaching into the core of my practice.
Routine: 'Am & Pm' -PM (20 mins)
Time: 5pm
I think of this as an easy practice because it's so short but it's actually very leg intensive. The sucky thing about being on my feet all day for work (aside from the foot pain) is that it really tightens up my hamstrings so every time I do this routine, it's a real burn. I didn't want to practice today and my head was not with it so I lost my balance more than once. I also had some upper back pain from a long day at work and the bus ride home (who made bus seats?? they're so uncomfortable!), which made the start of the practice very tough. I fidgeted through the opening meditation sequence and the initial asanas. Even in savasana, my mind was skipping around. If I practice this weekend, it should be better.
Absolutely knackered now.