Guest guest Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Although I have been doing yoga for several years, I did not have a specific direction until about 9 months ago. At that time, I decided to focus on Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga....the style of yoga I have most feared! I knew that my capacity to succeed in mastering it was a long shot for many reasons. The fact that there were no certified Ashtanga teachers near me and the fact that could could not drive the distance to the closest one and the fact that I could not attend group classes (due to pulmonary risks), did not tend to inspire confidence in my capacity to succeed! Added to these negatives was the reality that I am a 61 year old post-menopausal woman with only 52% lung diffusion, have Meniere's syndrome, and cannot do any cardio without risking respiratory acidosis! However, it was the ONLY form of yoga that focused exclusively on increasing strength (LM) and I needed to be a " lean muscle machine " to have any quality of life! Therefore, even though I was warned against attempting to do this 'on my own' (by Ashtanga Yoga teachers), I purchased several Ashtanga Yoga DVDs, books etc (by David Swenson, Richard Freeman, John Scott, and other certified teachers) and started. I soon realized I would have to focus most of my exercise time on developing more upper body functional strength as well as core strength. About once a month, I would attempt Ashtanga Vinyasa on my own...trying hard not to get discouraged when I could not do chaturanga, B sun salutations, and balancing asanas. As I have struggled to make even the smallest amount of progress, I have tried to remind myself that, if I lived long enough, I would succeed and, if I didn't live long enough (to succeed), no one (not even myself) would care! It also helped to learn (in this group) that, although Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is usually done by much younger and stronger people, it was developed to strengthen the LUNGS. It was my hope that, if I learned the program in the traditional manner, I would gradually gain the pulmonary and muscular strength needed to master it. Today was my 'magic day'. I was able to do 4 Surya Namaskar A (with chaturanga-cobra) and 1 Surya Namaskar B in its traditional entirety except for the need to do cobra instead of up dog! I had to take 2 complete breaths in each cobra and hold each warrior 1 (in B) for 3 complete breaths but I never lost control of my breathing! I also had to stand in Tadasana just breathing for about 2 minutes after each Surya Namaskar. However, I succeeded! After a 5 minute rest, I was able to do ALL the standing asanas. Granted, I had to use modifications for some (like the balancing toe hold) but to say I was thrilled was an understatement! The one drawback I had not anticipated was that, after doing all this, I was too tired to do the finishing sequence so I had to modify it so I could enter Savasana. After I was rested, I did one final act to cement my victory. I did Bakasana! Although I could only lift both feet about 3 " off the floor, it was incredible to finally do this much...after months of trying! This is even more amazing to me as I cannot rely upon my inner ear to achieve the needed balance! I had to teach my brain that falling was okay by allowing myself to fall on my head several times! I will now be able to do Ashtanga 3x a week! I realize it would have been BETTER if I could have had a teacher. But this just wasn't possible in my situation. Maybe one day, a teacher will become available to me. Until then, I enjoy what success I have achieved! Mary ______________________________\ ____ Catch up on fall's hot new shows on TV. Watch previews, get listings, and more! http://tv./collections/3658 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Mary! Wow, what an incredible story! Thanks for sharing it and being an inspiration!! Good luck on your continued path of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga!! Namaste, LindaLinda MunroAshtanga Pariswww.ashtangayogaparis.fr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2007 Report Share Posted October 12, 2007 Mary what a wonderful story! congratulations! you are such an inspiration... you should write a book! You go girl! Where do you live? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 13, 2007 Report Share Posted October 13, 2007 I live in San Marcos, Texas Mary Claudia Azula <baticlau wrote: Mary what a wonderful story! congratulations! you are such an inspiration... you should write a book! You go girl! Where do you live? Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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