Over the last 6 months everything has changed. I’ve injured my back, ended a relationship, moved office and finally moved home. So I’ve not done much posting on the website for a while.

2 weeks ago I committed to practicing 5 days a week. Fortunately there was a moon day on the first week ; )

I’ll be writing regularly (now that things are a bit more settled) about how I find the Mysore practice over the coming months.

Today I’m off to Chris Swain’s workshop on the spine which I’m looking forward to. I’ll be taking some pictures so check out the gallery later in the week - You might even see yourself!

It’s good to be back!

At the post-practice coffee this morning we had a lively discussion about injuries.

I’m sure you’ve never done this yourself ; )

My recent back injury was the trigger for the conversation. It went something like this:

Every person who I told about my injury who doesn’t do Yoga suggested I stop doing it.  My Dad in particular was rather vocal: “Guy you must stop this crazy Yoga!” I patiently tried to explain (again) that my injury was caused by me not listening to my body and that it wasn’t the Yoga that was doing it to me. This was followed by a long silence on the phone.

When having this conversation face to face this is normally the point when people start rolling their eyes and looking rather bored. With a “if you’re not going to take my advice then you deserve it” attitude. I’m exaggerating for effect slightly here but not much.

So am I crazy to continue to practice through my injury? In the quest to get some answers I’ve been to a doctor, osteopath and sports masseur and spoken to nearly everyone I know about back injuries.

Noone knows what is wrong with my back. I have no answers. I’m on the waiting list for a referral to the back clinic which could take a few months. I’m skeptical that I’ll get any answers there either.

So I’m faced with taking responsibility for my injury and recovery, how do I do this? I make mistakes (mostly) and I do my best to listen to my body. I know we’ve all heard it before in virtually every Yoga class or workshop “Just listen to your body”. Well it took a very painful experience for me to start listening. If you’d asked me 2 months ago if I was “listening to my body” I would have been rather offended at even being asked.

I now have a zero tolerance attitude towards any pain in my back when I practice, I bend my knees as much as I need to when doing forward bends and I’m real gentle on my back-bends.

In January the gyms are all packed with people working out there new years resolutions. So most are probably off to a flying start to the year. Come March there’ll be tumble weed blowing across the circuit training area, I’m exaggerating slightly for effect here : )

I’m in my 2nd year of Mysore style practice and am committed to practicing 3-4 days a week. This feels sustainable for me at the moment, but I know that there are many ups and downs on the road ahead.

Something I’ve been thinking about over the break was this: I love yoga and particularly Ashtanga Yoga, with the constant repetition and refinement of the primary series.  But how does one sustain the commitment to this rather demanding practice over a long period of time?

Here are some things that I’ve found useful:

1. practicing regularly in a group - despite the fact that I’m ultimately developing a deeper relationship with myself through self-practice, doing it in a group is really supportive and motivating.
2. practicing regularly with a good teacher - having a teacher who cares and is familiar with your body and can give adjustments where necessary is also great.
3. workshops - I recently did a 2 day workshop where we spent half the first day breaking down each of the stages within Surya Namaskara A. This really had a profound impact.
4. coffee - I often share the trials of my practice with regulars and this has can lead to a sense of identification when others share their own experiences. We each have to find our own answers but others can shine a light on things in a different way.
5. reading - Despite the practical nature of regular practice reading books has been an invaluable way of achieving a greater understanding.

I’m curious, how do you sustain your practice?

Last week I managed to bind without help (on my good side) in Marichyasana D for the first time! I remember the first time I did this asana - It was excrutiating and continued to be rather painful for about a year. In those early days I kept having to be reminded to breathe. Breathing does make everything easier ; )

It often feels like there are long plateaux in my practice, where things don’t seem to change. This can be disheartening particularly when I’m feeling impatient and frustrated. So I’m sharing my small victory as it’s given me a little hope and reminded me that things do change.

Namaste.

Today was my second worst practice day ever! My body felt like it was cold, filled with liquid cement and I had no energy. I got as far as Marichyasana C and that was about all I could manage before finishing off with the closing asanas.

I’m not giving myself too hard a time though because I know that getting up regularly at 5:30am to practice and doing 5 A  and 5 B sun salutations is quite an achievement. But damn was it tough today! It’s a relief to know these things pass and tomorrow will be different.

Just thought I’d share it in case anyone else is having a tough time.