Expansion Joint

Day 7 93 to go

Colliding Galaxies Make Love not War - Hubble

Yoga Health Center San Carlos.  A silent class needed after the "melt down". Received a few warm (knowing?) smiles today. I attend San Carlos maybe 3 or 4 times a month.This studio is friendly and chatty but I know no one here.  Maybe they were being nice or maybe they recognized the "China Syndrome Gal" from Saturday. Adore a silent class. It allows me to gauge where I am in my practice. Only think about the best approach to pose and the best use of breath. How well have I  been paying attention? Who's words are running in my head for each pose? I like to hear the names of the postures and that is what we received in silent class today. I am still being too effected by what is going on on other people's mats. If they fall, I fall.  If they stop trying to go back in, I stop trying. I put myself close to the door today in case another melt down emerged. It did not. A great class, must do that more often.  I need it to keep the meltdowns at bay, apparently. 


Bikram Yoga Tip of the Day:Balancing Stick Tulandasana. When you raise your arms and interlock your fingers, engage every muscle from the floor to the ceiling. Start with your hands and feet always. When you step out make sure both your elbows and both your knees are locked. Before you tilt, check in the mirror that your hips are in alignment. Inhale and stretch everything. Exhale and pull, pull, pull. Pull your palms together, pull  your arms behind your ears, your  finger index fingers towards  the mirror, pull your back apart, pull your leg up, pull your toes to touch the back of the room. Check to make sure your extended leg is straight and not rotated, sometimes you need to rotate your foot, your ankle,  or your hip joint to maintain the correct hip alignment.  Exhale and pull you arms forward and your toes back.  Feel your vertebrae expand like the universe. 

know shaking, know wobbling

Yoga is a meditation.

Concentration on breathing, elimination of distraction, singularity of focus.

(on a six count breathe, on self alignment, on the parts of the breath)

Slowing ones breathing with attention can alter your brain state

and make one more susceptible to instruction and suggestion.

Like whispering in the right ear of spouse, take out the trash.

One might purchase Amway products, believe est is a good idea, invest with Bernie Madoff.

Or dutifully take out the trash.

In a meditative state people hear what is said, not what is meant.

This is the summer of "know shaking, know wobbling."

Each day I try and stand still after each standing posture and feel the body rocking back and forth on unsure feet, seeking stability like a roly poly clown.

Know shaking know wobbling.

This Monday morning 6 am silent class, with just a continual reminder to change.

At one point everyone was elegantly lost.

Posture tip of the day: Janushirasana with Paschimottanasana Head to Knee Posture, Stretching posture concurrently. In the third (center) stretch, legs together, pivot at the hip joint with straight back, like a plank. Keep your head and eyes toward the wall or mirror. Move your chest to your thighs, chin to your toes simultaneously. Do not use arm strength. Expand the rib cage, loosen the shoulders, let go of muscle tension in the head back and arms to allow the exhale to gently move your body straignt forward and down.