ashtanga guilt

[Guest guest]

I've got a right old dose of ashtanga guilt. I've

been ill with a bad dose of the cold for the last

week. Which means I haven't practised for 7 days now,

which is making me feel crap, both mentally and

physically (my shoulders and upper back are ACHING, and I

NEVER get shoulder/upper back probs). <br><br>The

trouble is, I really don't feel well enough to practice.

The breath especially could be difficult, not being

able to breath thru my nose without an unsightly

disharge. Should I just wait until I'm feeling

better?<br><br>Plus, this six times a week thing is bugging me. How on

earth do you manage to fit an hour and a half of yoga

six times a week? (And live a normal

working/shopping/socialising life?) Whats the minimum you can do in a week?

Please don't give me a lecture about doing it every day

- my job tends to make that impossible ("An

ashtanga class after a 16 hour night shift... lovely! I'll

just get me mat...)

[Guest guest]

Namaste-<br>I can relate to the "ashtanga guilt."

Practicing non-attachment has helped me with that one. If I

am sick, or injured, I usually test the waters with

the salutations. If they are too much, my practice

will have to cease and I just do some gentle

restorative poses. Ashtanga always waits for me.<br><br>As

far as the six times a week thing, I have

experimented with less and my body does not have the same kind

of precision and strength. I feel a lot more

vunerable to injury.<br><br>I owe my life to this practice,

so no matter what else is going on, the practice

gets the attention it deserves. <br>Of course I am

human, and if I feel like I may be slipping up, I just

step up the classes.(my yoga studio offers unlimited

monthly classes). Classes, for me, are a wealth of

inspiration.<br><br>Hey, if you can't do a 90 minute practice after a 16

hour day, why don't you do it before and fly through

those 16 hours!

[Guest guest]

Don't beat yourself up.<br><br>When you feel

better, try telling yourself "at least I'll do surya

namaskar." Sometimes that's enough; sometimes it turns into

more.<br><br>It is hard to fit in a long practice on top of a

busy schedule. If you tell yourself all you're going

to do is surya namaskar it can take the pressure off

and you may find you naturally do the whole series.

However, on some days, you may feel just as good after

doing 5 minutes as you would after doing 1 1/2 hours.

Whatever keeps you sane, balanced, joyous, and

healthy.<br><br>I'm not saying be too lenient--a rigorous practice

has many benefits. But let it come from love of the

practice, from heart-inspired discipline, and not from

rigidity.<br><br>For inspriation, try treating yourself to a yoga

book, magazine, or video you like--often the visual

aides help me cultivate the motivation I need.