I’m happy that I’ve been able to keep up with a regular Ashtanga yoga practice, even as the busy throes of the school term begin.  I can only fit in three days of practice at the school each week, but three is better than none and I can also do some limited home practice to keep up.  I feel so stretchy, strong, and peaceful during and after practicing yoga, like a warm string of pretzel dough on opiates.

I studied Ashtanga before, but it takes a good long while of practice to be proficient in all of the poses in each of the series, if ever.  What’s great about Ashtanga, and yoga in general, is that the focus of most practices is not on doing everything perfectly, but always striving to get into the posture or “asana”.  Physical proficiency comes when it comes and there’s no use rushing it or getting frustrated with your lack of abilities in certain asanas.  In order to progress, you have to be patient with yourself and focus on what you can do in the present moment.  And nothing gets done unless you breathe through the progress, in the good times and the uncomfortable times.  That’s deep, man.  But true, eh.

Here are three pictures of some of my most improved, most challenging, and my favorite postures that I’m working towards.  By the way, I’m looking up the names; I remember some of them by their sanskrit names, but I’d be in big trouble if there were a spelling test…

Most Improved: Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana

I love this artsy picture of this posture in heels (especially since I feel like practicing this at work in my heels, haha!).  I still can’t wrap my hand around my back, but I’m getting there.  The half lotus really opens up the hips and stretches the big leg muscles.

Most Challenging: Janu Sirsasana C

The model’s face and hand placement says it all for this posture (she should be grabbing the sides of her feet and her face to me says: “Welp, this is as good as it gets.” or “Most people can’t do this and I’m no exception.”).  For novices and / or people with big leg muscles, the thoughts that go through your head while your attempting this posture go something like this: “My-toes-ogawd-my-pinky-toe-how-will-my-knee-ever-touch-the-ground-perhaps-if-I-just-skip-this-posture this time.”  Needless to say, I do a funny modified version of this pose that’s far from what it’s supposed to be, but it’s something.  I’m getting better at it, thanks to determination and a little temporary discomfort.  With all conviction, I can say that this is my least favorite pose.  Which means I should embrace it and hug it out. 

Favorite pose that I’m working towards: Kurmasana (turtle pose)

Are you laughing at this picture?  I remember staring, jaw dropped the first time I saw this pose done a few years ago and thinking: “How is that possible for humans… seriously?”  What’s really fun are the postures that come after this one.  And this one.  Since I don’t currently have the flexibility to get myself all the way flat, I’m doing a modified version where I grab my feet and try to pull myself closer to the floor and eventually be able to do this.  When I do stick my arms under my legs, my lack of flexibility puts me in this awkward half pose where my knees put a lot of pressure on my elbows and I feel like Lucky when he looks up and knows that he’s done something bad.  Someday I’ll get it… or maybe I won’t.  Either way, it’s a fun posture to look work towards.  Perhaps someday a good party trick too!

There are lots of other postures that I enjoy during my three days of practice, but these are some of the highlights.