I'll admit I was distracted in the opening moments of the practice. For a very stupid reason. My top totally clashed with my pants. See? Stupid. But I was all out of it this morning, running late, so I grabbed a pink pattered top from my 'nothing else is clean' back up pile of yoga clothes and a pair of reversable lululemon groove pants. Easy enough. Except I put the pants on the 'wacky' side, so just below this shirt I hate was a totally clashing band of purples and greys and trust me it did not look good at all. Again, I told you this was stupid. So there I was, going through the opening alternate nostril breathing, focused on the fact that I looked lame. (Which, trust me, I know doesn't mean jack in the real world. But in this girl's world on this particular day? Pissed me off.)
So what did I do? I closed my eyes. And I instantly felt better. No clashing shirt to be concerned about here! I just focused on my pranayama. Transitioning after a couple of minutes to adho muhka svasana/down dog, I kept my eyes closed. I really felt my foundation, my hands and feet rooting into the earth. I felt my spine lengthen and expand. I was listening in closely to Kenna's instruction, never losing my breath. Now I'm on to something, I thought.
So I just kept my eyes closed for the entire practice.
Okay, sure, not the entire practice. A few poses and transitions proved to be too challenging (crescent lunge) or dangerous (ardha chandrasana) to maintain myself in darkness. But in those moments I kept a heavy lid, trying to blur my focus. I was surprised how bright and active and full the room felt during those moments with sight. I really quite enjoyed the feeling of solitude that practicing 'in the dark,' so to speak, provided. I don't know when the last class I took where I breathed so evenly through the entire practice. Steady in, steady out. All 75 minutes long.
With eyes closed, I was acutely aware of the instruction. Never was able to let momentum just take me through a vinyasa flow. Very aware of honoring my edge. Far less confident in my ability to 'hit' the alignment just right. But also gleeful that I couldn't see it and judge.
I may have looked like a total weirdo, practicing with my eyes closed the whole time. Thankfully I had put myself in the back corner without planning it. So I just let myself be in my own little world, totally absorbed in all of my other senses -- how the air moved in and out of me; how my skin felt as a drop of sweat would drizzle down my arm and off my fingertip; hearing my fellow yogis breathe or exert themselves. I had no time to let my mind wander. I was fully focused on staying safe and upright and present.
The practice wrapped and my mood was high. I no longer gave two shits about my outfit. I had found a way to tune into what was important... simply being on the mat. And bonus - I was able to experience it in a whole new way.
Day 17
Classes Completed: 1
Hot 75 - 9am - Kenna Crouch
Progress Towards Goal: 18/31
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