Integrating back bending, March 2023
Saturday is my day off.
I practice six days a week. One day a week is for recreation and all the other activities I want to do as well.
The next week I also focus on the splits again.
Asanas that you want to improve, you absolutely have to hold for longer than five breaths. Using a timer makes sense.
If you repeat challenging asanas up to three times, you usually notice progress. The pose becomes easier and often you are more flexible with each repetition. How to learn anything interests me. What do I want to learn and how do I want to learn it are important questions. I lost much time applying ineffective methods to learn things. With the internet learning anything can accelerate because so much useful information is available.
I will continue to use the following methods next week:
1. I’ll hold asanas for up to one minute or longer. This gives the opportunity to relax despite the pain of stretching. Deep regular breathing helps to relax. The pain subsides. One can then continue to stretch the body. It is important to tense the muscles during the stretch.
2. Repetitions are also very helpful. With each repetition, the position becomes easier. This is almost without exception.
First you have to think about what you want to focus on. Is it the backbends, twists, balancing poses?
Do you want to improve stretching, strength or technique?
What is the best way to practice? Which exercises are the most effective?
I will continue to document my journey. The practice yoga, yet the approach has changed over the last decade. Documenting the development is another tool to stay motivated and to improve. Pictures and movies show the truth. They help to reflect.
Tomorrow I will practice the 2nd Ashtanga series. I am integrating the splits exercises.