Never.Lose.Hope

It was an exceptionally hot and humid Sunday evening when I stepped onto my mat for some self-practice. As I sat in Sukhasana with hands in Jnana Mudra, I softly closed my eyes and tried to shut out any form of distractions.... both externally as well as internally.  As always, it wasn't easy.  Sweat was already trickling down my forehead before I even landed on an affirmation for my practice, and as my door was open, my cat wandered in, plonked himself down next to me, and I could hear deep purring as he settled down for Savasana.

As my Ujjayi breathing got into a rhythmic pattern, my mind settled on a single word.  'FEAR'.  Fear (Bhaya, in Sanskrit) rears its ugly head into my practice all the time.  Sometimes, it's in a form of 'in-your-face-sticking-its-tongue-out' fear, but mostly it partners with its best friend, the Ego (Ahamkara).  For example, if I can stay comfortably in an inversion, albeit with the comfort of the wall behind me, then why can't I bring myself to practice the asana in the middle of the room?  Have I already forgotten the stern warnings I had from my Master in India, when I pulled my mat to the wall when we were to practise Sirsasana?  I mean, come on, will I really hurt myself if I fall down from doing a Handstand in the centre of the room.... or is it the ego that will be bruised if I do fall?

Fear is illusory.  On its own, it cannot survive.  Feed it, succumb to it, and one will be helplessly drawn into the perilous waves of Samsara.

So with these thoughts racing through my head, I landed on an affirmation for the day's practice.

"Today, I will face the fear, and do it anyway.  Every challenge I face is an opportunity to learn, grow and improve".

After a good hour into my practice, I proceeded to inversions.  For the past few months now, I've been trying to practise changing hand positions from Sirsasana to Tripod Headstand, without falling down.  The switcheroo didn't come easy for me, and I've bruised my cheek, bumped my knee, stubbed my toe, and pulled a muscle in the neck, trying to get it right.  And out of frustration, I pulled my mat against the wall and haplessly allowed myself to crawl back into my comfort zone, while trying to get the 'asana right'.

But today would be different.  Today I will face Fear, and it will be my turn to stick my tongue out and tell the Ego to bugger off.

So, did I fall down while attempting the switcheroo?  You betcha!  

But did I give up?  Nope.

Sometimes, the only way to stay up, is to fall down, over and over and over again.

Love, Light, Peace and Hope.

xx

Goodbye, old girl

I lost a friend and a companion yesterday.

Smokee, in her fluffy, haughty glory
(1994 to 11.3.2011)

My old girl, Smokee.  You came into my life one fateful August evening, back in 1996, when I was still grieving on mum's passing.  Having nothing else to feed you, I ended up mashing up dog biscuits for you.  You mewed your appreciation, and then after, adopted me, flaws and all.


Out of your 17 years of life, you chose to spend a good 15 beautiful years with me.  You gave me nothing but unconditional love, loyalty, and the occasional gift (dead sparrows, frogs and even a baby bat!).


I will always remember how you have graced the many colourful chapters of my life.... you've seen me change cars, change boyfriends, change careers, get married.... the works. 


17 is indeed a very, very old age for a cat, and I am happy and blessed to have celebrated 15 of those cherished years with you.  You're indeed a legend!


But it was your time, and hard as it was, I just had to let you go.... to be pain free... and to allow you to continue to journey into kitty heaven.


You will always be in our hearts, old girl.
Rest In Peace, Smokee.

Basic Pose : Setu Bandha Sarvangasana

As yoga teachers, we have the sweet privilege of sharing the gift of yoga whenever we step onto the mat.  Imagine my pleasant surprise two nights ago, during my Prenatal Yoga class, when one of the mums-with-bumps told me that she taught her husband to do the Bridge Pose to strengthen his core and lower back, weakened by a slip disc a couple of months back.


Right there and then, I was reminded of the gift and power of yoga beyond the mat, and beyond the borders of the studio.  It takes all kinds of (personal) intentions to come for yoga practice (to lose weight, de-stress, heal, gain flexibility and strength or just to get some 'me' time), but to recognise the benefits of yoga and to share it with a loved one or friend, is indeed a celebration that yoga is the key to the best possible version of your life.

And just as a bridge connects and spans over water, road or valley for the purpose of providing passage over obstacles, the gift of yoga transforms and unites the body, mind and spirit, leading you along the path to liberation.

Setu Bandha Sarvangasana (Bridge Pose)

1.  Keeping the feet, thighs and knees parallel, slowly lift the hips by engaging your hamstring muscles.
2.  Without moving your neck, interlace your hands beneath your back, fingers reaching towards the heels, and roll your shoulder blades closer in and outer arms under, by pressing down on through the outer edges of your shoulders.
3.  Engage your TA (transversus abdominus) which are your innermost core muscles, to lift the hips as high as you can.
4.  Keep hugging in the inner thighs to broaden the sacrum, so that you feel spaciousness in the spine and more work in the legs and hamstrings, rather than the gluteals.  This will help to release any compression felt in the lower back.
5.  Feel like you're working to bring the heart closer to your chin, without moving the chin toward the heart.
6.  Stay for 9 deep breaths.
7.  Exhale, release your interlaced hands and slowly lower your spine down, keeping the knees directly over the ankles as you descend.

A great option for beginners to practise the engaging of the legs, is to place a block between the thighs.

Benefits of Setu Bandha Sarvangasana:
1.  Opens the chest and shoulders.
2.  Strengthens the legs, core and lower back.
3.  Lengthens the hip flexors.
4.  Energizes and uplifts.
5.  Great prep pose for Urdhva Dhanurasana.


Avoid this asana if you have :
1.  High blood pressure.
2.  Glaucoma or recent eye surgery.
3.  Serious neck problems..
4.  A history of miscarriages.


Have a safe and happy practice!