Heart Openers and Hammies

I have decided that Eka Pada Sirsana (version C depicted beautifully above) is going to my goal posture for the semester. Not only is it the posture I'm currently working on, but it involves both heart openers (which are necessary to pull the shoulder back and lengthen the torso) and the hamstrings (my weakest link and the main reasons why I can't yet pull my leg comfortably behind the head).

So...for those who attend my flow/vinyasa classes, expect a lot of hamstring work and heart openers this fall! Though I haven't sequenced the flow quite yet, I have the theme and peak posture picked out for my classes this Saturday. And let me just say, I'm looking forward to playing this weekend!

This week has been a week of keeping my ego in check. The Lord has a way of allowing my head to swell then showing me exactly where I'm the weakest. Yesterday I was practicing second series in Sharon's class when it dawned on me that I really hate second series. I practice Ashtanga 5 days a week and I usually can only talk myself into doing second series only 1 of those 5 days. The reason is when I practice first series, I feel graceful, strong, and in control. I can actually feel the effects of the practice in my body. When I practice second, I feel like a bumbling fool flopping around. And that not only makes me feel bad, inflexible, and weak, but it also makes me look pretty stupid when I practice. But I need to let go of my ego and my need to look good and feel strong because otherwise I'll never be able to improve and grow. So there it is...in order to be faithful to my practice and my growth, I will be okay with public flopping for the next short while.