Open Sesame

Back to the mat today. Took three, yes that is three whole weeks, 21 days of no yoga. No yoga and no running. My life was in shambles. Stumbling over decisions, emotions in flux. Got the A-OK to run again recently. Then got back to the mat. Finally an end to the misery and self pity party. If you are the type of person who is always go go go- dedication and devotion 24/7- sometimes any small reason to sit on your ass and you go crazy it's kinda awesome: then starts the pity party- then you have to drag yourself out- and that sucks. Yesterday was step one: nice run with a friend. Today was ashtanga... and the soreness.

Well today's practice was good and bad. Started out as YES- I heart Surya Namaskar! Then the vinyasa trudge. And suddenly I was practicing Janusirsanana C! Hell-O, nice to meet you, my name is Amelia, come here often? Yep, foot was on the mat, I was folding and knee was on the ground... what what!! Apparently that is was happens when you take 3 weeks off, hips open up, arms and core sore.

Ujjayi Sound Off

Days 6 and 7 of the training flew by- some did more flying than others- my brief moments of jump back bliss where few and far between. I did however practice with a dude who basically held my weight for a jump through- allowing me to jump through from Adho Mukha Svanasana to seated with straight legs. Never before has that happened in this little yogini's practice.

Saturday I practiced as David led and my practice partner adjusted me. The energy and breath were amazing. It was magic practice. David is a slow and steady counter- I expected him to be a slow counter- but one can never realize how slow is slow until you are holding your ass up in Uthpluthi for t---e---n breaths. Then the glorious words of "one last vinyasa to freedom!" Then inhale: exhale: inhale: exhale: inhale and exhale svanasana.

I then led a full primary to my practice partner- yep speaking, counting and adjusting. It didn't totally suck.

I was super hungry after that- having had a small breakfast- of course I had just that morning discovered August First an adorable bakery/cafe that serves fresh handmade muffins, brownies, scones, breads, etc. and coffee. Of course I didn't eat anything from there because I had to practice early and I like to be as light as possible (you know every little thing to achieve lift-off or an 'up' action!). The breakfast sandwiches looked and smelled amazing; by all the ooohhhing and aaahhhing coming from Angelika and Anne Marie I would say that they were great. It's okay: I went for lunch and got a curry tofu sandwich on baguette-- and a triple chocolate brownie.

The afternoon session was all Q &A with David and Shelley. The best. David is a great storyteller- his stories are best when not being told to you during navasana.... And apparently the mythical mystical Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth (Advanced A [3 and 4] and Advanced B [5 and6]) are in movie existence, featuring one David Swenson. Anyone up for a YouTube viewing party??!!

Saturday evening was kirtan session and party at the studio. It was also the time I slipped in the shower and hurt my psoas and back. Awesome.

Sad face = Sunday.

I adjusted my practice partner while David led and then I practiced as my partner taught. I started my practice going full force all out. Despite the foot fracture and twinged psoas and back. Because I am an ashtangi and a marathoner and I do everything I do with 200% effort and energy. Then David's words slowly and actually sunk in. Do your practice- despite what it looks like- get to the mat- it's that simple. From then I stopped reaching for jump-through-back, stopped going for the super tight lotus, just breathing. It was very freeing.

David was great throughout the week- he and Shelley knew my troubled relationship with Sirsasana A, and they helped me with it each time. I can't say that I am a master of headstand- but I do feel much more confident. And the fact that Shelley and David had complete faith in my ability- I think rubbed off.

And then it was over.