My teacher MB doesn't want us to kick up into sirsasana anymore and/or use a wall. He never taught it that way and doesn't believe it should be done that way. This then highlights how poor my upper body strength really is. I've always had a fear about sirsasana and remember how excited and happy I was when I finally decided one day that I was going to do it. Of course by kicking up and against a wall. But I did it. So now that I know I can actually hold myself up in sirsasana, I need to build the core and upper body strength to help me get up there in a more graceful fashion without using the wall.
Some of the things ST, NE and MB have suggested in the past and now:
- (NE) get ready for headstand but instead of trying to bring both legs up, hold each leg up (knee to chest) for 10 breaths each leg
- (ST & MB) to build strength - dolphin pose (4 breaths) to dolphin plank pose (4 breaths) and repeat several more times each day
- (MB) when interlacing fingers together, make the palms touch as well - this makes for a more solid foundation - try it, when the fingers are interlaced but the palms aren't touching, the arms tend to splay outwards when any pressure is put on them but they won't if you interlock the palms as well. it is much harder though than cupping the hands but it makes sense
The dolphin pose sequence is something that was actually suggested to me before by my teacher ST three years ago! I didn't really pay to much attention to it then because I could finally get myself up in sirsasana by using the wall. Time to take this piece of advice more seriously now. It really is magic watching someone glide up into headstand with their legs together and with purpose. I look forward to that day when it clicks for me as well but first; practice, practice, practice.
10 comments:
People do some amazing things with their bodies, don't they... good luck - can't wait to read about you doing this!
Totally, it never ceases to amaze me and ah, yeah...maybe in another 3 years I'll be doing this LOL.
I've kind of come to a peace with myself about sirsasana. It's not going to happen without a wall because of the scoliosis. And that's OK. We're all made differently right. And ultimately I believe that asana is a preparation for meditation, so best to do what prepares our own bodies for meditation.
Of course part of me would still love to be able to just do it!
Totally agree Rachel and we all have to work with our own limitations. I totally respect how you work with yours and show people you can *still* do yoga with modifications. You are a true gem of a teacher.
In the Jivamukti method, sirsasana is an important pose but of course you're right, it is OK for it not to happen as well. In my case it can and if anything I am just being lazy.
I just saw this quote on The Reluctant Ashtangi's blog which was a kick in the pants for me (again!) - "Old man, stiff man, weak man, sick man, they can all take practice but only a lazy man can't take practice." ~ Sri K Pattabhi Jois
Depending on how strict your teacher is about the wall thing, could you try doing it by your bed? That way if (worst case scenario) you fell backwards a couple of times, you wouldn't fall all the way to the floor, but you still can't kick up.
Ultimately it's all about overcoming fear, obstacles and judgement. So that's nice and easy then!! :D
Love that quote
I've just come off the wall myself.
I did it by placing a block against the back of my head and then gripping the block with my hands.
Bugger me, it worked.
MB is proving to be pretty strict about the wall thing and doesn't even give us that option.
I think using the bed is a great idea Jamie and Shula, thanks for the tip with the block too! I really appreciate your advice and will give them both a go.
Shula, bugger me, isn't it great when things just work when you feel it's time LOL. Go you! :-)
I've been somewhat frustrated by the differences in teaching styles... the class I go to has had 3 different teachers now (usually there are two who switch every 5 weeks, I feel calmer now that I know about this). It was especially exasperating when one teacher told the class to not do something, and then the next teacher encouraged us to do exactly that.
That being said, I realized that every single one of them had brought something new and beneficial to my practice. The key really is to finding my own inner drishti and how to invoke that... and every step in that direction counts.
Good luck with your sirsasana. :)
i used to practice without the wall but making sure i have stacks of pillows to cushion my fall! and if i did, falling was always fun!!
Post a Comment