Yoga Hurts

My boyeee Ganesh is the remover of obstacles. I need him big time these days.

Reason One
My first yoga injury has been going on for months now: a bum right hammy. That is, I overstretched my hamstring right where it attaches to my ischial tuberosity (thanks, anatomy class!). Initially, I ignored it--I was going to get my ass into the deepest uttanasana possible, the ache deep in my upper thigh be damned. It only hurt when I did super intense forwards folds, so I considered the pain something to be worked through, pushed through. Of course, this led to even more ache and yuckiness, to the point where I not only felt it throughout class, but outside of class, too. 


Clearly, this was not something I could push through.


I've been taking it easy with my right side, but MAN, IT'S HARD. It's hard not being able to go into my deep forward folds without pain. It's hard not being able to put the crown of my head on the ground in prasarita padottanasana. It's hard getting frustrated in the middle of class because I can't do something I could a few painless months ago. My ego wants it so bad!

All that yoga talk about how destructive ego is really does have basis. It was ego that reasoned pushing through pain was better than listening to my body, and now it's ego that gets upset with me every time I recognize it's time to back off or not go to my edge. So I'm using this frustrating recovery period as practice being patient and compassionate to myself and my bum hammy, two things I've never been good at. Gotta start somewhere, though.


In other Yoga Hurts news, I have not had these many bruises since my roller derby days! They're all over my legs, arms and shoulders, and I think it has something to do with this:

B.K. in parsva bakasana (side crow)

That's what I've been trying to accomplish. Though I sometimes get some airtime, I usually end up like this face-planting kitten.

Still cute.

Reason Two:
I have so many plans, so many ideas, so much I want to get done that my skin itches with anticipation! Aadil Palkhivala was at Moksha a few weeks ago and I was lucky enough to attend a talk on dharma he was giving. First of all, his energy is effing enchanting. He's calm, steady and powerful--a total embodiment of stira and sukha, stability and ease. He challenged us to write down ten things we're grateful for in the morning, and ten things we're grateful for at night for a month, promising our lives would be transformed.

Now, I only did it for 20, but I get it: by transforming yourself into someone who recognizes the gifts that surround you and how blessed you are, you make space for more gifts and blessings--they're attracted to you! Now that sounds ridiculous and self-helpy...but totally true.



Another cool gal who gets it, man:

"You can’t make magic unless your heart is full of love. Similarly, when you make space for beauty, your brain works better. Ideas flow thick & fast; genius, eureka moments become a regular occurrence; & that smile on your face makes you look ever so gorgeous!" Gala Darling

I feel like this is Ganesha's jam, you know? Like he's all about this mindset, because this is what will remove your obstacles.

Now for something completely different:

The Death's Head Hawkmoth is at the top. He is no friend to Miss A. Mellifera; he sneaks into hives and sips honey through his stout proboscis, the asshole.


Sometimes I feel like this paper girl:

 

Borgesian, no?