Thursday:
I practiced before breakfast. Before breakfast is the best time to practice. After an exhausting practice the breakfast tastes so delicious, so deserved. This is of course not the main reason. To twist and stretch with a full stomach feels awfully.
Today was my back bending day. Time flies so fast that 90 minutes are too short for a full second series. I do a lot of extra asanas.
Every day I do the splits do stretch the front side of the body. I also practice urdhva dhanurasana against the wall. I repeat ustrasana up to three times. I think that this time is not wasted. I realize progress. Repetitions and holding the asanas for 1 minute minimum is useful.
I also practice variations. To lift the arm while practicing urdhva dhanurasana might help psychologically. One arm is already up, so it seems possible to come up. Right now I’m still working on getting the hands closer to the legs.
Patience is necessary.
Yesterday Carmen (cyogalife on Instagram) published two back bending picture, one was taken in 2015 the other one in 2020. When I saw the former picture I thought that she was very close to reach her calves. It still took 5 years!!!! till she was there. Even she thought that she had been close already to catch the calves. She didn’t expect to need 5 years to reach the calves. Yoga can teach not to give up.
If something is difficult it’s also often attractive. Things that are too easy to accomplish seem boring. That’s why talented flexible strong yogini often give up the practice entirely.
In the meantime I see advantages if something is tough. One learns patience. Difficulties invite to reflect on the method. One learns to learn.
Karl Lagerfeld once said: I love the battle field.
In life we learn more when facing difficulties. It’s the same on the mat.
I know there is a long way to go to the calves. Step by step a lot can be accomplished. First the hands shall walk closer to the feet. One day urdhva dhanurasana will feel fantastic again.