Day 13 and Day 14

Day 13:

Yesterday I woke up ripe with flared joints carried over from the stress of Thursday. On Friday, I took a "nap" for nearly 6 hours and followed that up with heavy sleep for another 9 hours. Needless to say, I was wiped out. So it was no surprise that my body wasn't feeling hip to the yoga challenge, but I wanted to go to a class. Luckily, there was a Restorative Yoga class late in the afternoon.

I had never been to one of these classes, though I had an idea of what it would be like. It was way more of what my body needed than I could have imagined. The class was guided through really great restorative poses, our bodies supported by props while we stayed in a pose for an extended amount of time. What really made the class special, though...that would be Everitt. This adorable, sweet man was so respectful of our bodies, totally aware that each of us was there to give our bodies a well-deserved break. He had a menagerie of metal bowls, each with their own tone which he played while we were in pose. When class was over, I felt AMAZING. This class was a big "DUH" for me. All of this yoga can take it's toll on a gal, but this class is a remedy for all the pulling and stretching and dancing around I put myself through each week. So I made an adjustment to my weekly schedule and though I'll miss Libby's a.m. class at the South location, I know this class will be exactly what I need to keep me going and prepare me for the days ahead.

Day 14:

Thank you Universe for Restorative Yoga! Without it I am certain I would not have been able to accomplish what I did today. 108 Sun Salutations. That's right. One Hundred and Eight. Actually, I had to stop a few times to rest and fix my hair (it was windy!), so I probably completed 106.

What an invigorating experience! It was a small group that met in Zilker Park across from Barton Springs pool and of the 4 students, one was me, two were my friends, and another girl plus the guide. Our guide was fantastic! She was so kind and encouraging to all of us. She did a few adjustments on me when in Downward-Facing Dog pose, which I totally appreciate. And at the end in Savasana, she laid a lavender eye pillow on our eyes and then went around to each of us to give our shoulders and neck and nice stretch. I'm glad my gals were there to do it with me (Meredith and Narissa, you girls rocked it!) and I look forward to doing it again. Side Note: My legs still feel like jelly and my arms feel like they are going to fall off my body. :)

About 108 Sun Salutations:

The number 108 is considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. It is also the number of beads on a mala (plus the guru bead), the distance connecting the earth, moon, and sun, and in India, there are 108 sacred sites (pithas.) Also in yoga, there are 108 sacred parts of the body (marma points.)

A Sun Salutation (Surya Namaskar) is a series of poses almost always beginning and ending in Mountain Pose (Tadasana.) When doing 108, the series may be exactly the same each time, or they can be changed up a little bit with the instruction of a guide. Here's a video example of a Sun Salutation.

Namaste.

Anjali Mudra and Libby D.

I've talked about Savasana a couple of times. It is one of my two favorite parts of Yoga. My other favorite is Anjali Mundra.

In Hatha Yoga, Anjali Mudra begins and ends the practice. Anjali (to honor, celebrate) is a salutation and Mudra (seal) seals your relationship with the Divine. Therefore, Anjali Mudra is also known as the Salutation Seal. Seated in Siddhasana (Perfect Pose, my preference) or standing in Tadasana (Mountain pose), the palms are pressed together at the heart center, with the thumbs pressed slightly against the chest. The hands are pressed firmly together, without allowing one hand to dominate the other. The head is bowed slightly towards the heart, creating a lengthening in the neck and spine. With the eyes closed, a few deep breaths are taken. When in Anjali Mudra at the beginning of practice, it's the time to set the intention of your practice. For me, my intention is always the same. With my eyes closed, I say to myself, "I am here for me. I am here for me."

I love Anjali Mudra. I love Anjali Mudra. I LOVE Anjali Mudra. It induces a meditative state of awareness. There is a strength I am able to draw from it that makes my heart feel bigger than any other part of me. It's a radiating energy which sets an amazing, powerful, motivating tone for practice regardless of how I felt before I walked in the door.


Anjali Mudra (not me, but isn't she adorable?)

On another note, I think I've found my favorite teacher. In beginner's series, the teacher will talk about how different each teacher is and that most students will figure out who they connect with best and attend mostly their classes. For me, that person is Libby D. Libby has an amazing and magnetic spirit. Her instruction is clear and heartfelt; it is so easy to realize how much she loves yoga, loves teaching and how greatly she respects each student and their individual interest in yoga. Two of my classes each week are with her. I'm already excited about Monday class!