Ashtanga

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"Finding strength through the grace of yoga."

Since July 2012, I've been practicing Ashtanga Yoga and really enjoying it. For me yoga was only a workout, I never quite understood those people who say, "I really want to deepen my Yoga practice" and whatever else that sounded like, "blah, blah, blah..." to me. Being in class and thinking those things, and wondering why my yoga instructor was 'picking on me' lead me to want to know, "why are YOU being so judgmental? Why are YOU having these irrational thoughts? And why are YOU sensing a tightening in areas of the body that are usually ok?" Umm...in that realization the deepening of my yoga practice began.

Mirrors, mirrors everywhere.

I wanted to retreat, to quit, and just stay in bed, rather deal with my own shit, but that would not serve me, nor the people around, nor potential Reiki clients that needed my vessel to be clear. About three mornings a week I go to a Mysore Ashtanga Yoga class at about 6AM; to sum it up, a Mysore class looks like students doing their own thing, no music, a lot of audible breathing, and no teacher at the front leading the class. The teacher walks around, tells you what to do, and makes adjustments to your poses.


Even as I think of it, it hurts. Sleeping it hurt. And yesterday I "forgot" to  do that pose.


The most transformational thing is when your body opens on its own and can move gracefully through the poses. These poses mirror Reiki in a way, each pose has a history and potency because so many before have done them, much like the use of Reiki symbols. Both are powerful and sacred.