Tag: body

Mind stiff, not body.

KathrinLeave a comment

Kurmasana and Supta Kurmasana – I tried them long ago and wondered how this should be ever possible. It felt as if my arms were close to break! Meaning most times, I skipped them or tried half-assed, of course without any effort.

Some weeks ago, my teacher pushed my shoulders down, closed the gap between arms and legs and I could walk my feet forward. No pain at all. Ups. So simple?

Next step, Supta Kurmasana. Turn the arms, palms face up, a strap to help, walk the feet in, cross and head down on the mat. Ups. Here we go. Easy.

What? Hold on! Easy? Ok, my feet should be behind my head for full posture in Supta, but hell, I’m quite close! And babe, this is an excellent example of how my mind stopped me, while my body can do. My teacher showed my body how to go into the posture, my mind in awe-stricken silence.

Let’s allow our bodies to work and send our minds into a well deserved break while practicing!

Listen to your body

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This morning, after 5 sun salutations, my body said clearly NO to my usual Ashtanga practice. As I’m currently quite susceptible to injuries, I didn’t question anything but switched to a soft Yin practice. I thought, I might turn some soothing music on to support going internal and release. Guess what, it made me nervous.

I changed the music. Rhythmic, fast, loud. That was it. My body started swinging, vibrating. I joined singing and my mind was quite. I moved into postures without thinking, my body guided me. I even forgot the time in some asanas. It all felt so right and my closing headstand was kind of purifying. No pressure at all, it felt so effortless.

Listen to your body, what fits one day doesn’t work the other. What’s good for others might not be good for you. Listen, your body will tell you what to do.

After practicing I walked my dog and my hips complained a lot. I started swinging even more. Asking them to release all the stored shit. To let go. To be easy and relax. I sent my smile to them carried by my breath. Arriving home, we were in peace.

It’s all about that, isn’t it. Listen to your body, work together, finding a way to take it easy, what ever is happening around you. Forgive yourself, forgive others. Release.

Cleansing through asanas

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I felt quite bad today — sad, worrying and a headache was trying to tempt me to just lay down on the sofa. My mat seemed far away, when I told myself, I’ll feel much better after practicing. So I did. Went to my mat, without any expectations.

I turned slow and peaceful music on. Closed my eyes when warming myself up. In samasthiti I started my Ujjayi breath, very intense and I kept this during the full practice. It was loud and deep and felt like a storm going through my body. It even deepened some asanas. And yes, practice felt so good and not just my body said thank you, also my mind is in a much better mood now!

My breath cleaned me. My breath took all that shit out of me, that put me down. My inner smile is back.

This kind of intensifying asana practice also works when being in a happy mood — you can even push more. Stay a bit longer in each asana, close your eyes and go into your feelings. You may enjoy some and others better let go. So a rather aware inner tidying up. Let go of anything that doesn’t serve you any longer and enjoy.

Let your body work and your mind will follow.

Pay off

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Discipline. Persistence. Trust. Faith. Practice. 6 days a week. It works.

Our bodies are very different – what’s easy for you might be impossible for someone else. Or the other way around. Age is another barrier, as it’s much harder to gain strength, overcome stiffness and convince our bodies of new options. Plus all of a sudden, there’s fear. The older we get, the more.

So it’s not just the body. The mind has to support a lot. No room for evil thoughts, but a can do approach. No limits. It just takes its time.

Headstand is quite easy for a lot of people. Some need a bit more practice. It took me about 8 months to be able to do free headstand, without the wall or any other support. Progress in baby steps. And finally, I was there. Tears were running over my face. I did it. It felt so easy…

Never give up. Do what you want to do. Even if it takes ages. It’s so worth it!

Self care

Kathrin2 Comments

Practice steadiness and ease. Inner strength, but also soothing and sweet. How can this work? My view: it’s all about being kind to my body, instead of stressing it. Doing my best, challenging body and mind, by fully respecting my limitations that day, that moment. Listening to my body. Understanding if it’s just laziness, that makes the sofa calling me or my body sending signals on what is good or bad for me in that moment. Also fading out the self talk my mind is confusing me with. Gently. Accepting. Yes, tenderly.

Pushing and pulling seems rather violent and works the opposite direction, it takes us farther from ourselves. It is this deep connection with ourselves, our centre, that cultivates a confidence, which makes our practice and our lives magical and leaves us deeply touched and happy.

Care for yourself.

 

Transformation

KathrinLeave a comment

Recognize

the moment, when you get off your clothes

and jump into your yoga pants.

Let the transformation start.

Recognize

how your mind releases immediately,

the skin in your face get smooth,

your jaw relaxes.

Recognize

your body waking up,

your muscles silently vibrating.

Recognize

your breath and deepen it,

become mindful.

Feel your happiness,

on your way to the mat.