Balance Poses
I find–when external circumstances are unsettling or chaotic–it helpful to practice balancing. It’s even more challenging when Maitri circles my ankle, and I also taking a photo.

I find–when external circumstances are unsettling or chaotic–it helpful to practice balancing. It’s even more challenging when Maitri circles my ankle, and I also taking a photo.

I’ve been on staycation for the holidays. I’ve taken a few asana classes around town in studio spaces I haven’t been in before.
In two of the classes, the teachers stated at the beginning that they give physical adjustments. Both teachers asked while students were in child’s pose, so that the response was only for the teacher.
One teacher asked students to make a sign if they did NOT WANT to have adjustments. The other said to make a thumbs up if they WANTED adjustments.
I noticed a palpable difference in the degree of consent because of the emotional difference for me between having to actively say no to avoid unwanted touch as opposed to being told I would be left untouched unless I specifically gave permission. There is also a difference between simply allowing touch rather than specifically having to say I want to receive it.

Today on the National Mall, one year since the failed insurrection. Resistance is yoga sadhana (and so is persistence).

Wind-rustled feathers
Of a raven taking flight
On my silent walk.

One can appreciate the beauty of the pre-dawn two ways: staying up through the night or waking up early. I almost never stay up through the night, but find myself waking up in the pre-dawn hours frequently lately, especially when we have not been getting any rain, and the rain finally arrives in the wee hours.
Classical yogis advise that the early morning hours are optimal for practicing. I have been choosing, when I awake in the very early morning, to go into my studio and practice, rather than struggling to get back to sleep.
I find that I am less tired and more productive if I take this invitation to practice rather than worrying about sleep deprivation and struggling to rest.