Day # 17 Resistance Prevents Ease and Flow

Whether it’s in the form of oxygen or blood flow, or in the form of joint pain or muscle tension, resistance creates strain on the body.

Everyone learns somewhere along their path that resistance does more harm than good.

Over the years, I asked to have my picture taken in particular yoga poses to see where I could improve alignment.

At one time, while a friend of mine was taking my photo, she noticed I was struggling to get into the posture and asked, why are you resisting?

I questioned, what makes you think I am resisting? She said, you are holding your breath. You should see the veins in your neck.  I was not even aware I was tensing up, or holding my breath.

From that point on, I made it a point to monitor my breath, and observe how my body feels when moving in, holding, and moving out of a posture. Standing in front of a mirror makes it easy to detect when I have locked the door to air flow. My friends, the jugulars, just bulge right in.

 

 

 

 

Day # 16. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

Support is not a sign of weakness.  In fact,  it shows your strength.

If your body is not capabable of doing a pose without modification or support, don’t push yourself into the posture. You can create unnecessary strain or injury.

In my 20’s, while giving birth, I sustained injury to my lower back. Due to this injury there are some poses where I need modification, and or support.  Malasana is one of those poses for me.

While in this posture, and without support, I have to lean forward I experience discomfort in my hips, and a strain on my ankles because I have to spread my feet out so far to hold myself up.

The support of a block will gradually ease the tightness in my hips, and provide me the release, and flexibility I need to sit up straighter, and eventually sit in Malasana without discomfort.

Don’t strain, it’s not worth the pain.