Strangly enough after waking up hung over from not only drinking too much but also from sobbing about the harsh reality the guy from far away dosed me with commitment is the theme of the day. New commitment is more like it! Actually when you think about it even when you commit to a relationship per say, if you want it to be a healthy commitment then you are actually commiting to yourself. To be even more exact you commit to being yourself at all times though you are in a relationship. And though the guy from far away and I weren't in any sort of formal, exclusive or even spoken of "relationship" I think expectations natually formed. Even after we said we DON'T have any expecations for one another.So after coping with a massive headache, body ache, heart ache sort of hang over my yoga teacher and I made plans to throw down our mats and practice the ITC (Ignite the Center) practice again. As a reminder from an earlier post this is a practice that takes at least 2.5 hours to complete and is a well rounded sequence. This sequence has 4 sections, divied up by element and grouping of postures.
Section 1: Earth - Standing Postures
Section 2: Fire - Hip Openers & Arm Balances
Section 3: Air - Thigh Stretches & Backbends
Section 4: Water - Forward Folds
Section 4: Water - Forward Folds
Each section ends with a meditation that cooralates to the element just pratices and though my teacher taught it with specific meditations this part can be interpreted depending on the persons connection or feeling for that element. For example: Earth, originally taught to imagine yourself in a cube, balanced, steady, symentrical. However, you could focus on a steady pace of breath complimented by a heaviness in your seat.
This sequence makes me feel so balanced afterward, it is one of the most precious yoga teachings I have ever learned. As the guy from far away would say... "its great to have that in your back pocket." He is right, what if we could all discover some sort of practice that we could do anytime we needed to "reboot" our system? Furthermore; noticing the tangible effects of this sequence what if I practiced it every single day for a week?
That is what my teacher and I set out to begin TODAY! In reflection what a great commitment to myself! It's something I can gnaw on everyday! Notice the difference, fluxuations, challenges, and insights I gain from doing the same practice every day.
I know this is not available to everyone. A. because yoga does not have the effect on everyone the same. B. this is an intensely advance practice C. it takes a good chunk of time out of your day and not many can afford this. I just happened to be in rare situation right now. That if you read back was catistrophic feeling when I first arrived but now I have settled into this reality and am now see the silver lining of this retreat like occasion.
So when given this rare opportunity of having hardly any distractions you soak in your own practice of self refinement. I have recommited myself to cultivating my health, education, beauty, and am excited to see what something like this will do to me?
My wishes: (by the end of the week of this practice)
1. drop into meditation with ease
2. be able to say properly the names of all of the postures
3. be able to perform a posture that psychologically terrifies me ... ghenda bharandasana
Reflection questions and curiousities:
1. Will this practice change me in ways other than physically?
2. Will I be able to do this?
3. How will this steady 2.5 hour practice change my daily routine? (all other daily responsibilities have to be maintained)
4. What sort of friendship will be cultivated by acheiving this task with my friend and teacher?
5. What will I want to do when I am done?
... and there will probably be many more questions but for now... I'm commited to myself and practicing the sequence that brings me such joy everyone day for one week.
Song of the day: Listen to your Heart by DHT featuring Edmee
