Involuntary break

Yesterday at 7:40 I had an appointment with the family doctor. I took the earliest possible time available. I thought that I could go home quickly after the consultation and that I would have a nice yoga practice before breakfast. But I got a vaccination (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) and this had consequences. The nurse told me not to do any sportive activities for the next three days. Your immune system will have something to do. Most people feel slightly ill, some get even low fever. In any case you’ll sense your arm. Oh yes. So true. My arm hurts. No way to do a chaturanga dandasana.

Yesterday in bed I covered my body till the chin. Only my head could be seen. My body should have it cosy and warm. I hoped that in the morning everything would be OK again. My arm is worse today. The nurse was right. It takes 3 days.

I never hear that people get vaccinated. The above mentioned vaccination we get every ten years here in Germany. I was two years too late already. It’s a luxury to get this prevention. But now is enough again for the next decade.

Practicing yoga and taking care of one’s health belong together. Sometimes this can mean to get vaccinated. Sometimes this can mean to take a break from everything. This can be difficult. My routine was so strong. A break of 4 days is long. I guess on Sunday I’ll start practicing with full power again. I’ll feel stiff.

To do nothing today is not an option. Panayama, meditation and ‘easy’ asanas are possible.

A day off

Yesterday was Saturday. This is usually a day off from yoga for those who practice Ashtanga Yoga. In the morning I thought I could do a Sivananda series for an hour. I’m glad that I didn’t do it. The body needs a day off. The mind, too. Today is Sunday morning and my yoga week begins. I feel fresh and motivated. I’m well-rested, because I didn’t practice. The body had time to integrate the stretches and strength training of the last week. I’ll have an intensive week before me. This cut on Saturdays helps to structure the week. It gives intensity.

I remember times when I had difficulties to begin with yoga or another task.

I remember times when I had difficulties to stop with a task or activity.

Conscious beginning rituals and conscious ending rituals are helpful to organize the days and weeks, even years. I know days on which I started cleaning and didn’t stop anymore. In the evening, when I reflected on my day I only cleaned. This was not really satisfying. I know days on which I put on my yoga clothes and in the evening I still was in my yoga clothes. The yoga practice was watered. It lacked intensity. My practice got distracted by taking pictures, checking the Internet. It lacked focus and concentration. At the end of a day I couldn’t say anymore where the time went and what I’ve done.

Today I start and finish activities. Theoretically I could practice 2 or three times a day like my pranayama teacher in India. But then every session would have a beginning an end end and a middle part.

Six yoga practices in a row are doable. A break feels even deserved. I use this time off for reflection. What was good and why? What do I like to change? These are questions I ask myself. It allows me to create a plan for the coming week. It’s rather that I observe what happened and less judging.

For me the day off is also necessary to do all the things that I postpone during the week. Yesterday I cleaned the kitchen. As a yogini I’m also a cook. It’s not possible to eat out because of Corona. The restaurants are closed. I learned that a lot of people gain a lot of weight, because they order pizza, pasta and burger. We lost weight, because I prepare delicious vegetable meals. I dare to say: Only self-cooked meals are healthy meals. Eating healthy is part of a yogic life style.

My ambitious mind whispers on Saturdays: Come on, practice. Only one hour. Take it easy, but practice..

My reasonable mind knows that breaks are as important as the daily practice during the week.

Halleluja, it’s Sunday. Back bending is my focus today. I’m looking forward to an intensive week that will end with a day off.

So spent

So spent!

On Saturday was my day off from yoga. The body needs this.

On Sunday we expected friends. In the morning I felt already dizzy and exhausted. I had blisters on my lips, so my feelings were not only phantasy. Something must have exhausted me. Instead of practicing I cleaned our home. This is so much easier than 90 minutes on the mat. Later we went downtown. My Fitbit watch showed over 20.000 steps in the evening.

Yesterday the same. I felt done, tired, incapable to do anything but walking around and sitting anywhere. I walked downtown to better the general low mood and energy. I ate in a vegan restaurant. That was it.

Today I feel heavy, too, but not that low in energy. It is as if I’m recovering, but from what? I will practice today, but I will take it easy.

Not always one can find a reason for such low energy days. I know I’m not lazy. These day one practice is over and I’m looking forward to the next one. My body obviously needed my available energy for whatever, but not for an exhausting yoga practice.

I sit here, sweating. I’m sipping cold water.

My yoga practice made me sensitive for what’s going on in my body. I trust in the self-healing potential of our bodies. We are no machines. Sometimes we’re strong, sometimes weak.