On Sunday, for some reason, practice felt OK, with little moments of frustration here and there as I tried to get a sense on how to jump forward and back, since at the moment I can’t (I just don’t seem to fit in between my arms with my hands on the floor). So A (who never ceases to amaze me with how perceptive he is) came to give me some pointers on how to gain strength in the arms to eventually be able to move my body for the jumps. And he added something that made an imprint–he advised not to focus too much on how the pose came out, but just to give it my best and move on; noting that this was the key element of detachment in the pratice.
So today I tried to apply this, meaning both trying to see if I can move my body for the jumps, supported by my arms, and also just to do my best and keep on going. In general, I felt better than the last couple of times–more flexible and a bit better balance, and also stronger on my chaturangas and other asanas requiring arm strength. I have to say that this practice (and the way it is taught and learned) frequently presents some interesting emotional challenges for me. Obviously there is so much I have to learn…
Tova said,
June 3, 2009 at 4:32 pm
it took me many years to get the jump through, and then a few more years for it to be reliable. don’t focus on it too much. everything comes along with time
Nairam said,
June 4, 2009 at 11:50 am
Also, I will admit that part of my focus on jumping forward and back is that I’m not being moved at all on the primary–I feel I’ve been stuck on the same place (Janu C) for several months (probably as a result for missing practice? dunno… sometimes I feel my punishment for my indiscipline, if this is the reason, has been a little too severe compared to how others are moving around me, but I know I’m not the one supposed to be saying it, and in the end, that’s reality). So, I’ve resolved that if I am not allowed to do more (like Marichys or backbends) my efforts should be on getting what I am doing the best I can.