I'm an Ashtanga Yoga student. I started in my early 40s and wish I'd started in my mid teens! I love yoga. People talk about the runner's high, but for me, the combination of relaxation and exaltation after a strong Ashtanga practice simply cannot be beaten. (Utplutih photo taken in Uvita, Costa Rica.)
Yoga
Didn’t want to run today. Had a great run. 🏃♂️ Didn’t want to practice today. Had a great practice. 🧘♂️ I’ve no idea what lesson to learn from that other than “you never can tell.” The photo was taken on the run I didn’t want to do. (I
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Highly appropriate quotation from Thich Nhat Hanh to accompany the photo taken on this morning’s run. Thoroughly enjoyable restorative practice this evening. Very relaxing and equally invigorating. I almost feel ready to head out for another run! 🏃♂️
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Needed that! My usual restorative practice with Melissa Krieger “Oceanside Restorative Yoga.” I always feel super refreshed after this session, although today I fear I may be going down with something. Feeling a little rough.
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Early practice today as we’re heading out after lunch. The temperature is starting to rise. Considered practicing outside, but if anything, it was probably a little warm. Sticking with adding a pose each time and I’ve now reached seated sequence. Prasaritas were a little better today as were
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A little more energy for tonight’s practice. Worked through the standing sequence and added my usual Malasana, Supta Vajrasana and Baddha Konsana along with some sit-ups, press-ups and Sirsasana. Felt refreshed.
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Felt a little more fluid on the mat today. I added one more pose in my quest to get back to a regular “half-primary” practice. That’s my steady effort. I know it’s probably not accepted best practice, but I also like to add a couple of extra poses
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This photo was taken over the Bay of Biscay from the plane window on the last trip back to London. Although it’s a sunset, it reminds me a little of Dark Side of the Moon. I like the simplicity a lot. But at the same time it’s a
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Short practice after a day’s shopping at the sales in Plaza Mayor. Enjoyable, though I struggled with the breathing and vinyasa synchronisation today.
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After my last Ashtanga practice I wrote about how I focused on the breath. It was a great session because I managed to do just that. Inhale / exhale appropriately with each vinyasa. Today was the opposite. My mind was everywhere, preparing for a podcast that I was set to record
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Last session of a great first week in 2024. I missed one practice this week, but got all five planned runs in. Today was another focus on the breath and although maybe it’s not prescribed, I used ujjayi breathing throughout the restorative session. Deep, focused breaths. I generally do
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A lovely quote from Richard Freeman. This evening’s practice was particularly great because the space was so quiet (and not cramped) allowing me to flow with my breath. It was a short but good quality practice, focusing on inhaling and exhaling correctly with each movement. Result: super refreshed.
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Quick practice tonight. Not in the spirit of yoga, I whizzed through Sun Salutations A & B and through to Trikonsana. Saw this image on a Strava post from Phil I today. Nothing new in the sentiment, but it felt appropriate given my recent return to the mat (and the humility
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Still very little flow in the vinyasas and today it wasn’t easy at all. My mind was wandering and I felt a little cramped for space. But, just like the running, no regrets now I have completed a short practice. I‘m just looking forward to having more zing!
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Last practice of 2023 - an hour of restorative yoga. Really needed that after the drive to the airport and the flight. Everything was feeling very tight so that did the trick.
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Another lovely (short) practice tonight. Just the sun salutations, a couple of standing poses and 10 long breaths in Sirsasana. Wearing my “Spanish Yoga (Siesta)“ T-shirt that Carmen and Estefany bought for me on their last trip to Seville.
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As the sun began to set, I rolled out the mat for 25 minutes of Sun Salutations followed by Padanghustasana Padahastasana and Trikonasana A before taking rest. Feeling very inflexible!