yoga homework

it's been a while! as the summer rolls to its last months (i am continually asking myself and others, where does the time go?!), i'm going to make an effort to write a little bit more in my blog. about what, you might ask, whoever you are. about those rambling thoughts, memories, travels...we'll see where it goes.

so, what brought me here, writing this entry right now, was my latest yoga practice. i love to think about one's wealth of yoga knowledge, or more broadly, any kind of knowledge or experience, as a growing and shrinking, let's say...ball. i think of the video game katamari damacy (2:30), where the goal is to go around different places and "roll up" literally anything--cows, beach umbrellas, cars-- into a big ball for points. (this is where my mind goes while i practice.) as i was thinking about this and connecting it to my yoga practice, how each class i go to, each teacher i talk to, each sequence that i design myself, is all part of this never ending and ever evolving yoga ball. from this, i began to think about how my practice has grown this summer, and just how it involves a little bit of discipline and practice (in sanskrit, yoga actually means "discipline/to yoke oneself"). contrary to popular belief, a yoga practice doesn't have to be anything special at all, and it can take many forms...not just contortionist stretching poses or heated vinyasa for an hour. working on the Cape Cod Organic Farm this summer, i am tired at the end of the day, as i'm sure most of us are. because of this, some days all my yoga practice consists of is lying on my back with my knees drawn into my chest, as i rock side to side gently with my eyes closed for a couple minutes. one of my favorite yoga teachers, Eric Burri in amherst, ma, suggests for his yoga students to do their yoga homework, which is taking 5 deep breaths in your favorite pose of the day, every day. :-)

another one of my favorites lately has been legs up the wall pose, shown below.

legs up the wall pose, (vipariti karani) is deeply restorative and helps to soothe sore backs, tired and cramped legs and feet.

Try it yourself to explore your own yoga practice! Take 5 minutes to close your eyes and scoot yourself right up to a wall. If you have tight hamstrings, back a little away from the wall, and as shown in the picture, use a pillow or blanket under your lower back. take some deep breaths and try to just let go...even if its just for 5 minutes, or 5 breaths. and most importantly, if your mind wanders, just let it be okay. let it go and just come back to it. if you really want to put yourself in a good place, let yourself smile a teeny bit--i say often to my yoga classes to "turn up the corners of your mouth".

i hope you're enjoying your summer as much as i am! will write again soon with who knows what.