So after three blissful and challenging days of practicing primary series (and one day of intermediate series) I hit a road block. Whether this block be real or imaginary will not be known- but I am ready to try again. Sure I was coming down with a head cold, work stress had reached a new all time high, the holiday frenzy was upon me, it was first but not last attempt at the proper practice oh Ashtanga.... but those are all excuses.
But it also raises the question of when the practice of अहिंसा (ahimsa) directly interferes with one's asana practice which one takes trump? How can you ever reach, explore and extend your edge without causing violence to your self? As a long distance runner I live and breathe by 'no pain, no gain.' I try to leave that thought on the road and keep the mat clear of pithy sayings used to justify extreme training but sometimes I find them joining me when I am learning new postures or trying for the bind, holding a posture that extra breath.
No comments:
Post a Comment