BAG OF HAMMERS, REDUX

A few years ago I wrote a post on this blog called "Bag of Hammers Pose"  about doing a whole class with blocks propped beneath various body parts.  It hurt.  I didn't like it.  http://circlingthemat.blogspot.com/2015/02/bag-of-hammers-pose.html,

I was reminded of that post this morning when I went to the Inside Out Yoga Massage class, my second visit to this offering.  Based on the first class I attended I knew a bit about what to expect.  We would massage our bodies using props -- such as soft, cushy balls (feels good) and smaller, hard rubber balls (feels less good).

So, that's what we did and like the first time I attended this class, I felt like a rank beginner.  I forgot to pick up the twin pack of therapy balls from the basket so Robin, our instructor, had to bring them to me.  I tried to follow her directions but couldn't seem to find the right spot in my hip flexor area, or at least wasn't sure if I found the right spot, when she had us lie belly down on first the cushy ball, then the harder ball to "massage" that area.  I rolled around and followed directions, but felt uncoordinated and unsure and it was a little hurt-y.  Then we went on to rolling both balls on the sides of our hips and buttocks with me having the same result -- not sure if I was doing it right; not sure if I was hitting the designated spot.  I was sure, however, that those small rubber balls can feel a bit torturous on tender muscles.

Being one to push for results, however, I called up the old maxim from Jane Fonda Aerobic Home Video days -- "No pain, no gain."  Then I told myself that little bit of advice it antithetical to good yoga, so I backed off to a more comfortable pressure.

Next we placed the balls under our sacrum, being encouraged to roll our bodies up and over the balls so that they massaged either side of the spine all the way to the shoulder area.  I kept losing my balance and falling off the balls.  My shoulder got tired holding my body weight aloft, so I squirmed and struggled to find a comfortable posture for this move, unsuccessfully.  Then I realized I was unable to move much at all and got "stuck", as did my shirt, which kept rolling up with the balls and exposing my back fat.  Not a good look.

But I hung in there.  Yes, indeed-y.  I trusted Robin's excellent instruction and assurance that these movements, though slight, were mighty and would result in looser fascia and musculature allowing for better posture and walking gait, thus keep us limber and upright into our more Golden than they already are Years.  And I'm all for that!

She suggested we might want to purchase our own torture (I mean, "therapy") balls and roll around at home while doing a Netflix binge.  At this point I prefer a soft sofa and my blankie, but I do believe there is benefit, so I'll keep coming back to class until I'm more proficient and less apt to toss those balls into the trash heap of other well-intentioned exercise equipment gathering dust in my closet.

I'm sure I'll get there, even if Robin did compare the whole enterprise to the experience of giving birth -- breathe and relax into it.  I guess there is value in breathing through discomfort.  That trick has gotten me through many rough spots in my life, leaving me stronger and more flexible, both physically and emotionally, even if there isn't a bouncing bundle of joy to show for it every time.

(P.S.  I hope I didn't scare you off -- please come to Inside Out Yoga Massage.  There are smiles, even laughter, amongst the grimaces, I promise!  If nothing else, you can laugh at me; I'm sure I was quite a sight!  😂) ©

Namaste,  donnajurene

CELEBRATE DISCOMFORT!

Yes, it sounds counter-intuitive.  But sometimes being uncomfortable offers great insights into where we can grow.

Elizabeth led us through a series of therapeutic asanas in class this week, where as is typical, some people easily folded into whatever posture she was guiding, and others, well, not so much.  Elizabeth said she (like me) used to compare herself to the practitioner on the next mat and berate herself for not being as flexible, not being able to do the pose or hold the pose.  But then she came to realize that instead, she could be excited about those challenges!  If it's easy, that's not where one needs to work.  It's the challenging poses that show us where we are weak, stiff, sore, and unbalanced.  Instead of lamenting this, we can say...."Yay!  My body is showing me where it needs me to focus!"  Putting attention and intention in this area will result in big benefits in growing stronger, more supple, and balanced over time.

Makes sense, right?

The other thing that happened at that class was the number of people who showed up on a rainy, blustery Wednesday morning.  There were 30 people jammed into the studio, with one late-comer who decided to unfurl her mat in the entryway and follow along through the open door.  Being the sensitive teacher she is, Elizabeth immediately acknowledged that the unusually close proximity to our "neighbor" on the next mat might be uncomfortable for some people.  We generally have the luxury of spreading out more at Yoga Circle.  (I've seen big city classes where mats are about 6 inches from each other on all sides!)

As she asked us to consider how this felt, and to acknowledge without judgment, this feeling, I realized that I did, indeed, feel a bit crowded and uncomfortable.  I never want to be in anyone's way nor intrude in any way on their space.  And I don't really like people invading my space either.  We Americans have a need for "personal space" that is a greater distance than in some cultures and this is especially true of we introverts.  But what I discovered as the class went on was that without even really interacting with those around me I started to feel close to them, in a "friendly" way.  We were a community of sorts and I felt warmed by the presence of those close to my mat.

The following day, with its brilliant blue sky and sunshine, fewer folks came to class.  There were seven of us and we had vast expanses of space around us.  I ended up feeling a bit lonely!  I loved that I wasn't worried about intruding on anyone,  but I also realized that the energy was dispersed and I felt more alone in my practice.

I learned more about my own comfort by experiencing and acknowledging my discomfort in both classes.  Just as Elizabeth had taught us -- there is wisdom to be found in focusing on that muscle which needs more stretching.  I learned I can adjust to a crowd; I feel lonelier than I thought I would when in sparsely populated areas; and my Goldilocks middle ground is appreciated when it happens, but I can be OK with whatever comes.

Celebrate discomfort! ©

Namaste, donnajurene

Photo Credit:  Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_racorn'>racorn / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!

I keep forgetting there are two new classes since the first of the year, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, both at 8:30 a.m.  I'm a regular in the 10:00 a.m. classes, but 8:30 is a great alternative for me, especially on Tuesdays when I volunteer in my granddaughter's class later in the morning.

Yesterday I remembered in time and got myself to Robin's "Inside and Outside Yoga Massage" class. I had no idea what to expect, but anything with the word "massage" in it sounds good to me.

First she distributed a variety of differently-sized "therapy balls".  I was curious and hoped we would spend a bit of time on my plantar fasciitis problem.  I've been rolling a tennis ball under that foot for over a month and still the pain is there.

We did do that, but in a seated position, taking one of the smallest balls in hand and rubbing it from toe to heel along the edges and bottom of each of our feet, stretching and kneading the fascia in that area.  We also stood and rolled them beneath our feet, as I'm accustomed to doing.

At one point, we  took the larger balls and rolled them from Achilles tendon to buttocks , all along the backside of our legs, again putting kneading pressure on our backside fascia.

Next we got the foam rollers out and lay tummy down on top of them rolling them along our front thighs, again working the fascia in that area.  The fascia is the "Saran Wrap" that encases the musculature all over our bodies and which when not stretched can get tight and bind us in uncomfortable and restricting positions.  Moving becomes painful.  Better to "work the fascia" by stretching and/or utilizing various therapy props to loosen things up.  It's also great to break up scar tissue.

When she suggested turning to our sides and rolling the balls along our I.T. band -- the band of thick fascia along the outside of our legs -- I was feeling rather smug.  So far I hadn't experience much discomfort and was giving myself at least a "B+" on the fascia test.  Imagine my surprise when I yelped at the pain I felt as the ball under my leg put pressure on my I.T. band and caused me some considerable pain!  Yowza!  I tried to grit my teeth and proceed, but I've learned not to hurt myself in yoga class, so I backed off.  Astute teacher that she is, Robin noticed a couple of us with grimaces on our faces and offered larger, softer therapy balls as an alternative.  That was much better, but still...that I.T. band area was tender!

After class I happened to have a coffee date with a good friend, who is an internationally renowned Pilates instructor.  I told her about my experience and she said that is super common.  The I.T. band area often gives people pause and to go slow and listen to the pain.  I'll do that!

I'll also pay attention to stretching that area more often, especially after sitting for long periods of time.  I'll also grab a softer ball next time!  And I'll be back.  I think this inside/outside massage thing is pretty great.  Give it a try!  (Balls for sale at Yoga Circle!)

Namaste,  donnajurene

Photo Credit:  https://www.tuneupfitness.com

POSSESSED

I have no idea who or what took over my mind and body last week.  I had a couple of weird dreams, but I thought I'd set those aside when I awoke.  Besides, the psychedelic ruminations of the subconscious mind aren't really real, are they?  Hmmmm....

On Wednesday I showed up to class feeling a bit tired (see weird, sleep-depriving dreams above), but ready for a good class.  Only a few minutes into it, however, I started to worry that I'd contracted an exotic affliction which prevented my joints from bending and interfered with my muscles' ability to hold me up.  I was like the Tin Man clutching the empty oil can.  I could scarcely move!  Every pose felt like the first time I tried yoga 20 years ago and hated it.  At least this time I knew something was "off" and could make adjustments.  I started grabbing props, modifying poses, and resting a lot.  I made it through the class and felt the better for it -- more flexible at the end.  But I still don't know what had made me so stiff and weak out of the blue.  Mysteries of the body.

Then came Thursday.  I went to class wondering how it would go.  By 15 minutes in I started to question my body again.  Every pose felt effortless!  I felt strong and flexible in a class that was more challenging that the previous day's class had been!  I felt like Wonder Woman -- Yogi Extraordinaire! I was floating through the class when suddenly emotion overwhelmed me and in my favorite resting pose, Child's Pose, I felt tears spring to my eyes.  I was caught by the gratitude for my practice, for Yoga Circle surrounding me in beauty, by my sister and fellow Yogis, and maybe most especially by Karen's encouraging, calming, familiar cadences from the front of the room, guiding us through familiar poses and reminding us to breathe and be in this moment.  I don't know where that emotion came from out of the blue.  Mysteries of the mind/spirit.

It seems some people move through life on an even keel, one day much like the other, mind/body/spirit all driving in unison down the highway of life in a straight line from here to there.  Not so for me.  I seem to weave all over the  road, making pit stops for body tune-ups, meandering into sadness/depression, broken down with anxiety, flying fast with joy my hair blowing in the wind, all the while trying but often failing to reach the destination I set out to reach.  I try, with every fork in the road, to stay awake and aware that there is a lesson to learn either way I go.

That has been the lesson of yoga for me; to be present to every changing moment; to accept the "is-ness" of what is happening; and to use the tools of yoga like a roadmap to get back on course.  Letting go of expectations, I embraced my body's needs on Wednesday and letting go again, I embraced my body's victory on Thursday.   All the while I noticed my mind judging and questioning, celebrating and appreciating.  I let my emotions spill over as tears.

Not that it's always easy to be in a state of acceptance.  Sometimes I just feel "possessed" and wonder:  "Now what's happening?!?"  Some days the best I can do is just stay on the road, no matter where it leads or how I feel about going there. ©

Namaste,  donnajurene

Photo Credit: Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_captblack76'>captblack76 / 123RF Stock Photo</a>