I woke up early around 5am and couldn't go back to sleep. It was also difficult to fall asleep last night. I think I was too concerned with my back pain.. I went to bad around 11pm so only 6 hours of sleep. Not bad. I became hungry so I had some biscuits and read a book on Schopenhauer. He was also into Hinduism and his dog was called Atman. I hope I can finish this book while I am in Mysore. So I got ready quite early and waited for rickshaw. When we arrived at the shala I saw Lynne so talked to her for a bit. It is really nice that my teachers are here :-) Today I placed my mat on the second row. I was again one of the last ones.. I think there were about 12-15 people behind me. Today my breath felt okay, no actually way better than yesterday. I was still sweating like a pig but the breathing became comfortable. I took time in standing pose. Today's utthita hasta padangusthasana was super stable and I was happy. I didn't have any shaky legs in ardha baddha padmottanasana. Seated was okay too. I didn't really feel my lower back and body felt quite open and flexible. Only the jump back and through were not at their best. Navasana was done without the mat folded. I just gave it a go. It was hurting but I just stayed a bit shorter than usual. This pose just reminds me all the time that I need to work hard on my bandhas. I think I am engaging but it's just so hard... Bujapidasana was good and I loved the transition. Someone helped me cross the ankles in supta kurmasana. Nice! All the rolling ups were fine I just had to do one more time in urdhba mukha paschimattanasana. Setu bandhasana was also not as bas as I'd thought. I didn't feel much around my neck. Back bend was okay. But I couldn't lift up easily from the third one. I sprung forward when I did it... Drop back come up was not as easy as the other two days. I had to 4 drop backs to be able to come up 3 times. Catching was done with the assistant who tried to help me catch yesterday. Today he could do it. Though I couldn't hold it for long so I stayed very brief moment. He pointed out again my elbows. Elbows in. For a moment I felt a bit sad as my catching was not as good as yesterday but when I was in the closing poses, I was reflecting... 'wait Gayoung... you are just happy to be here to practice, don't be sad or frustrated. This is exactly what you wanted to avoid!'. And I found my peace so I was able to count in sirsasana (hahahaha) I stayed 20 each in sirsasana and half bend. I could've stayed longer but I just came down to close the practice quickly. Utplitih was 12 count. I took a brief savasana and left the shala. This time I could catch Sharathji's eyes so I thanked him. It was a nice practice overall as I didn't really feel my lower back. My breathing became very calm and easy. I was just a bit frustrated by the back bend practice. But Gayoung.. just remember your keyword for 2020..... 'be patient'. You've just started catching 2 days ago! Practice and all is coming. (+ be kind to your back...)
At Sharath Yoga Centre on 3/1/20 (Fri) from ??? to 10:00
Teacher: Sharath Jois