There is a full house - more than 35 people showing up in the mornings to begin each day, for 30 days, with a 90 minute practise.
I appreciate the spring sadhana, daylight hours lengthening and the promise of growth in the air. I can feel the earth awakening and keep looking at photos of my garden from last year. It will be green again.
Energy flowing, the miracle of spring and the gift of Being.
...
We are reading selections from BKS about his own sadhana. Different questions arising: how sight may help you perceive something but you can't see yourself entirely in a pose, so how to conceive what you don't physically see? how can the shape of the knee in tadasana be maintained in all asanas? how can you consolidate and integrate what is learned from one day to the next? From one year to the next? Of course these questions are meant to provoke similar thoughts "off the mat"...
Day 1, the first day, Vrksasana (Tree Pose) and Ardha Chandrasana (Half-Moon Pose), two of my favourites. I felt I was coming home.
Day 5, and we are working on headstand. The first two days we didn't even approach one, and now we are deconstructing our pose and going back to 'beginner' props such as benches and bricks to help with alignment. On the practical side, one of the biggest challenges so far is actually finding reasonably priced parking. The first day I found a free spot - it cost $30 at the end of the day, with the 'permit parking only' sign well-obscured by tree limbs. Ah, the price of enlightenment.
Day 7, clocks spring forward and when we get out at 7:30 in the morning, the day is dawning!
Day 11, we reflect on the nature of Iyengar practise and the journey inward: mobility, stability, strength, alignment, assimilation, integration, penetration, consolidation.
Day 13, without expectation we enjoy a fully restorative class. Many delighted sighs can be heard as we gather the props.
Day 14, 15, 16, travelling on business so made do in the hotel room with minimal props, incorporating backbends (standing, seated and supported). Nice to be able to end the practise and start the day with a jump in the pool.
Day 22, 23, 24 Twists... I find them so agitating when they are so intense. I have to remember to take a few extra asanas afterward (full arm balance or forward bends) to help me reset.
Day 26, driving early in the morning with the full moon peeking in and out of the clouds. We visited the YCT new space after class, light streaming in through the windows. Unvarnished and waiting for the build; no running water, no washrooms yet. We should be practicing here by late June, early July.
Day 28, Focus on pranayama. Ending the class by counting 20 breaths, which takes people in the room 7 - 10 minutes. Marlene reminds us if we can make this part of our daily practice it can change our lives from reacting to responding. I read BKS instructions, to practice, with the core of your being, and if you succeed with just a single breath, that is still success. Attempt again the next day to sustain longer success, and again the next day after.
Day 29, Today we started with uttanasana and standing twists, moving to standing splits. 29 days in I was able to do a far better version than in the first week. We also did headstand (ten minutes with variations) and shoulder stand (fifteen minutes with variations). The length of holdings evidence that repeated practice does make a difference, physically and spiritually.
Day 30, The last day of sadhana. Feeling renewed and ready for new beginnings. BKS was once asked, how long could be the practice of a very busy man, and his reply was 20 to 30 minutes.
Day 1 - The first day of practice at home. How do I feel this morning? How much time do I have? How do I want to feel at the end of my practice? Begin again.
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