Yoga – In the Zone

I decided to write some ramblings about my yoga practice. Why? Not sure. Just received a message to write about it, so here it is:

My first, ‘My Yoga Practice Ramblings’……For some reason today I was in a total zone with my yoga practice. Some days I feel stronger than others. Overall for the past couple months I feel like I have been much stronger in my practice.

Pre-Grave’s Disease…. I was very strong and could do yoga forever. I used to go to these killer 3 hour practices that my Anusara teacher at the time used to hold on some Saturdays. There would be other yoga teachers there and also some other serious-practicing yogis. I felt a little out of place at first, but this loving group totally put me at ease. I came to really enjoy gathering with a group of people who just came together to practice something they loved.

Diagnosis: Grave’s Disease…..It’s actually kind of ironic, but the reason I went to the doctor’s to get checked out was because my arms started quivering at the very beginning of a yoga class I was attending. I remember I was in downward dog, and my arms started shaking uncontrollably. I knew something was up. So after that class I made an appointment with my doctor and got a blood test.

Muscle weakness sets in…..One of the symptoms of Grave’s Disease is muscle weakness. There are many symptoms, but muscle weakness seemed to be my worst symptom besides some anxiety issues. I tried maintaining my regular yoga practice…NOT! My body did not let me. I would try and end up feeling sick after a class because I pushed myself too hard. Of course I tried again and again with the same result………feeling sick and like I could hardly walk because my muscles were zapped of all energy.

My AHA moment…..Then I ended up taking a yoga workshop at The Omega Institute with Seane Corne. I’ve been wanting to take her workshop and I decided to email her before I signed up to tell her about my condition. Her response is why I decided to sign up. She told me I could totally participate and said to listen to my body and take as many breaks as I needed and adjust my poses to what is right for me. That weekend was a huge step for me. I thought I may have to give up yoga because I couldn’t do it the way I used to.

Seane Corn’s workshop helped me make a huge shift….The workshop was Friday night through Monday morning. There was two full days of yoga – a total of 5 1/2 hours of yoga each day on Sat. and Sun. and 3 hours Friday night and Monday morning. I did what Seane said – I took a break and stayed in child pose when I needed to and I adjusted my practice so I could last all those hours of yoga. And guess what? I did last and it felt good!

From jumping to stepping and so on….So I went from jumping into plank pose to walking back into plank pose, from upward dog to cobra, from wheel to bridge, from 1 1/2 hours yoga class to a 20-30 minute home yoga practice and so on.

Post Grave’s….Strength is returning….At this moment, it feels like that anyway. What I’ve learned is things can change in a heart beat so right now, I’ll enjoy what is Now. Today I did a 30 minute practice – about 20 minutes of sun salutes and then some poses. I’ve been doing handstands again, still against the wall, but feel my balance is growing. I actually balanced without the wall for what felt like a minute, but was really only about 8 seconds . I felt so good that I even tried shoulder stand and got up after the second attempt, but then came right back down. So I tried again, and made it up on the second attempt and held it for a few seconds. Then I did headstand and that felt really good too.

On to some balancing poses…..I decided to do Tree pose. I’ve been closing my eyes while in Tree pose and depending on the day, can hold it for a few seconds. I find it really hard to stay balanced with closed eyes, but feel like this is a good challenge. Today, held it for a few seconds with my left leg, but right leg was much stronger and held it with closed eyes for about 10 seconds. I also like to just stand on one leg, in no particular pose, just lifting one leg off the floor, and trying to hold that while closing my eyes. Held each leg about 20 seconds so today was a good day for balancing . I actually envision roots growing out of my solar plexus area of my foot that is on the floor and envision the root going deep into the earth – this usually helps me to balance even more and longer.

My favorite pose…..Yes, then I ended with a couple twists and my favorite, Shavasana!  Ahh, love taking in all the bliss!

I’ve been doing a home practice now for the past 5 years or so. I’ve been thinking of venturing out into a class one day soon. When I think of taking a class, I get a little anxious because I think I may not feel good again by pushing myself too hard. I’ll keep ya posted and let you know if I do, and if I still listened to my body!

Do you have any yoga stories? Hit comments button and share!

Enjoy!

Gina

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