Other than the Mysore Intensive with Yoga Manchester’s Matt Ryan last month, I’ve been getting as far as Navasana and then going into a shortened finishing sequence of Sarvangasana, Halasana, Karnipadasana, Urdhva Padmasana, Pindasana (kinda!), Sirsana, Ardha Padmasana and Savasana. This is lazy and I’m conscious that I need to work harder.
Not only am I not doing enough overall practice, I’m also avoiding asanas that I don’t like or execute badly – most notably Bhujabidasana, Kurmasana, Garbha Pindasana, Upavishta Konasana A (and my B is a joke), Supta Padanghustasana and Setu Bandhasana. I should be doing the exact opposite and focusing even more on these.
Full Primary – No Excuses
So, it’s full Primary during the whole of December – every day (Sundays and Moon Days excepted). That’s quite a step up. I always thought that the ‘half’ primary I was following with John Scott’s DVD was actually more than half. After Mysore, I’m starting to think it’s less.
Inspired by this video (OK, I know I’ve got YEARS to go), I really want to crack on. Jeffrey Villanueva, a Jivamukti Yoga teacher and another drummer coincidentally, demonstrates the strength and control required for a number of asanas and vinyasas which also feature in Ashtanga. This one was doing the rounds earlier this week (thanks to @downdoug for sharing).
As I’m still carrying an injury, I’ll be taking it easy in a number of postures which put some pressure on the right knee, but I’m pleased to say that it does seem to be getting better. Yippee!
Lots to do – and as Matt keeps reminding me, it’s a 100 year programme (a David Williams quote?). No time like the present then.
DEC
About the Author:
Having played drums for many years, I switched to electronic music composition in January 2009 and released my first album with Clear Notice Recordings in January 2011 (under artist name Somió). I follow a daily Ashtanga Yoga practice, attend weekly classes with Manchester Yoga and participate in weekend workshops whenever I can.