Week Two Ashtanga practice

As week two closed I have moved on one posture to navasana, and in fact having a little go in Bujupindasana too (but not quite there)

Knee pain returned this week. Apparently this comes from a tightness in the hips and is probably not related to my old injury which caused some osteoporosis.
But by Friday it was agony to even bend my knee. So, of course I refer to my physio, Dr.Google and can find many articles on this. So, after reading some articles, in particular this one - link to article elephant journal I have decided to take heed to these words:

'Progression is not the attainment of the posture. It’s the deepening of your understanding of the process. It’s your relationship to the process. It’s your state of being and presence on the mat'

The words resonate with me, and this is something that I will try to remember, when I get stressed on the mat because of physical pain that is hindering my progression. I will remember that there is something that I need to understand and work through and to stay present on the mat. I never would have expected to complete the primary series whilst here, and in fact have got further than I imagined in two weeks and at one point on Friday I felt quite low and sad about this. I'm pretty sure that this is because of the ego, and that I want to be able to learn as much as I can whilst here. And also to continue my practice when I leave Mysore until I can complete the wholes series (luckily after Supta Konoasana I find it all physically achievable!)

So there we are, no great philosophical ramblings today, just an update on where I'm at, and a reminder from Sharath in conference that the asanas (postures) are only there so that the mind can be steadied and calmed to prepare you for pranayama and ultimately meditation. 

not my knee! picture taken also from Elephant Journal 

Waiting, Worrying and Aching!

It's only one week until my departure, yep, things are getting real!

I'm currently housebound waiting for the courier to deliver my passport and Indian Visa once that is done then all I have left to 'worry' about is the new injury I acquired yesterday (more on this in a mo) and whether I will be able to lose my ego in Mysore and not care that I can't do half lotus.....

So, a big part of yoga is letting go, and letting go of the EGO. I read this lovely post on Instagram earlier -
Woman says to Buddha ' I want Happiness' He replies - 'get rid of I for that is the ego, get rid of want for that is desire, and all you are left with is happiness'

Soo....I no longer will want to get into half lotus, I will endeavour to let go of the ego (the inner voice over) and think 'so what' ?? So what if I am worrying, and aching and spinning myself into a tizzy over this pose. Practice and it will come.
So what if I can't hold my headstand for the full 25 breaths, and so what if I forget the sequence. I am going to LEARN.

So yeah, so what if I pulled a muscle (or something) in my Lattimus Dorsi yesterday, today I did a gentle practice (not Ashtanga) with some Yin style hip openers (to work towards that elusive lotus) and guess what, I felt ok with that.

So, here is my 'humble' child's pose to say, Mysore I am almost coming for you, and I accept where I am today, and where I will be tomorrow, and that's ok. Let that sh*t go! Lose the ego, practice and all is coming.....to be continued!!