Second series class...

Strange that I was complaining about not getting to do backbends in primary series and my teacher suddenly took it upon himself to teach second series in the led Ashtanga class today..

Anyway coincidence or not, my adrenaline totally skyrocketed. We did most of the first part of second series, except supta vajrasana and stopped around the leg behind head part..except some half yoganidrasana thingy. So all the backbends which I have been craving for including the dreaded kapotasana...

I haven't tried kapotasana that often, but i totally lost it today..could get my hands on the feet, but then that crick in my sacroliac joint just screamed for me to get OUT!! So didn't even bring my head down. The only time I did kapotasana well was when D adjusted me into it. He grabbed me by the waist and hoisted me up so that I could get a pretty big bend into the lower back, then grabbing the middle of my foot and putting the head down was pretty ok. Today, B kinda put my hand on the left foot, and supported half of my back, which kinda made me lopsided...and then when I tried getting the other foot myself, the screaming started!! hahahahah (well not out loud, but in my body) anyway I think if I were to continue with all that backbending I better start by walking my hands down a wall or something instead of jumping right into grabbing my feet. Anyway the sacroliac thing is really a bummer..sigh..just when the fun was starting with backbends.

Other than that we tried a half version of yoganidrasana. Always wanted to try that out, but my hips are a little stuck and wont budge too much in that direction. I have tried pulling the leg behind my head sitting up, and supta kurmasana is really just a sitting up version of the same thing. My Supta K isn't the greatest. Another hip problem for me I think, I can get my feet together (not binding) and hands binded. Then someone has to pull it behind my head for me. I always thought that primary series Supta K was feet on the floor binding, but B makes it a point to pull it all the way behind my head. Anyway I trust he knows whats he's doing, so its good also to get some leg behind head action in primary. So todays lying down version with one leg wasn't that bad..I could more or less pull it behind the head, but it won't stay there without some major assistance from my arms. Anyhow..practice..practice and more practice I guess.

So overall I was thrilled with class today. Something new to try at least. The usual led class was kinda getting a little repetitive. But I usually go because I need some adjustments still, and since I don't always practice all of the primary series at home, being in class just forces me to go further..same with mysore. I get more juiced up to go further in class it seems. Don't know if its the heat, the atmosphere or the exhibitionist in me!

Anyway cool. I'm still on leave tomorrow, and was thinking of going to S's led class tomorrow. She has a faster pace than B, which suits me, cos my 5 breaths are pretty fast. But I think B takes more time to explain the nuances of the practice than she does. But I think they are both good teachers, so S it will be tomorrow.

About my choice of teachers..I have to say that I go for teachers whom I think are advanced in their own practices. I don't really want someone new teaching me (which is probably what someone will say if I taught them..I'm really not that advanced in my practice and I think my teaching is even more dismal..more on that later). I think advanced teachers need to have their own advanced practices, otherwise how can you teach without that personal experience? I admit it, I look at other people's practice in class (tsk ..tsk). sometimes I watch other teachers who are taking classes along with me, and I make snap judgements about their teaching abilities. I am really bad..I know. But I think other people watching me will probably do the same.. and the judgement on me wouldn't be very complimentary either..

So anyway about my teaching...well yes I have waded into the pool of teaching before. In fact I teach some of my colleagues. Recently I got feedback that I talk too much during class and can't keep my mouth shut. hahah. So, I'm working on talking less and adjusting more. Anyhow luckily my students are seriously very new to yoga, otherwise they would also realise that I am not that advanced myself! But I also told them that upfront, so i guess I am not hiding the fact that I am really green in the yoga field.

Okie, enough for today. Wow, I can really type long winded posts...