We added Chaturanga and Up Dog into both of the sun salutations. I almost felt like Suryanamaskara A needed a little challenge in there, so I was happy to add Chaturanga. Added to Suyanamaskara B, however, the series of poses starts to feel a little packed. This was a much appreciated addition. After five of each sun salutation, I already felt a little flushed.
The movement from Chaturanga into Up Dog and then into Down Dog is lovely. It feels like a full-body stretch. This is more the feeling that I expected to get from taking a yoga series of classes. I can definitely see how these movements are core-strengthening. (Up Dog did hurt my feet though since I currently have a really deep bruise on the side and top of my right foot from so many foot locks in aerial silks lately!)
This week we also heard a little more about philosophy, such as ahimsa, which is the practicing of non-violence (verbal and physical). We continued to talk about mula bandha, the root lock, which is found on the pelvic floor. I am thankful that our instructor is kind of silly and can talk about stopping the flow of urine and anal sphincters and finding the place in between in a way that takes the idea seriously but keeps it accessible. (He also dropped an F-bomb in class. I'm a fan.)
While I took this yoga class hoping to gain a better understanding of breathing, flow, flexibility, and strength, I love the philosophy side as well. I've been slowly reading Mindfulness: In Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana in between other reading, and while it's not specific to yoga or Ashtanga, it's very relatable.
This morning I went through the sun salutations (with Chaturanga and Up Dog) and the standing poses. I think I'll be making this my pre-breakfast morning routine.
I borrowed a book from the library to assist with at-home practice. It's called Ashtanga Yoga: The Complete Mind and Body Workout by Juliet Pegrum. (The studio I've been going to recommends this practice manual, which I will probably purchase eventually, but it wasn't at the library.) I referenced it for all of the standing poses this morning.
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