Getting my groove back

So far, I've managed a yoga practice every morning this week. It feels good, physically. I can tell I've been away from the mat, my deltoids and pecs ache a bit, my hamstrings are a little sore first thing. But, already I see improvement.

Now, I really need to finish painting the room I practice in. I started in December, but got called away on a family emergency. I haven't made it back. Mostly, I wish I had curtains. I feel like those out for an early morning stroll get a bit too much of a show!

Still a struggle

Overslept again. Clearly I have other issues to address. Still made myself do Surya Namaskara A. It only takes 5 minutes, gives me a nice overall stretch, and gets the blood flowing. And at least I can honestly say I got on the mat today.

Shaky start

Yesterday, I overslept a bit. Got up at 5:15. Practiced Surya Namaskara A, Padangusthasana, Padahastasana, Utthita Trikonasana, Utthita Parsvakonasana, and Virabhadrasana. Ten minute meditation, than Samasthitih.

This morning was not good. Too much stress, not enough sleep. I chose to stay in bed until 5:45. Must get back on track tomorrow! Unfortunately, I'm out of town this weekend. I never seem to be able to practice away from home.

The real reason I started this blog...

was to get my yoga practice back on track. I wanted a forum to explore my habits and reinforce the ones that mattered most to me. The intent was to start with easy habits, and work up to analyzing my yoga practice. Wading in has clearly not worked as planned. So, I might as well just jump in the deep end.

I have had a yoga practice for years. For the last two years I have practiced ashtanga exclusively. I prefer the set sequence and the focus on breath with movement. Sometimes I practice daily; sometimes just a few times a week; sometimes not at all. I would like to have a consistent, daily practice. My body feels good and my mind is more at ease with a daily practice.

So, today, I hauled my butt out of bed at 5:00 and did a shortened standing sequence: Surya Namaskara A, Padangusthasana, Padahastasana, Utthita Trikonasana, Utthita Parsvakonasana, Prasarita Padottanasana A, Parsvottanasana, Virabhadrasana, and Samasthitih. Only took about 15 minutes. Not bad.

Full primary takes about 90 minutes, which I don't have on a daily basis. The plan is to practice 30 minutes per day five days a week and the full 90 minutes on Sunday. For the 30 minute practices, I'll alternate between the standing sequence and seated sequence. I know this is not the recommended practice, but it's what I have time for.