Source http://www.sonima.com/yoga/mastering-headstand/
Yoga, for me, has always been an escape: It is not the workday; it is not a compact subway car filled with bodies on a humid summer’s day; it is not the chaotic, noisy streets. Yoga is a break from the cacophony that permeates every day. It’s a time to leave all of this behind, at least for one hour of the day. On the mat, I can be in control of my space, my breath, and my body. When I am tense, I turn inward to gain clarity and confidence from the physical practice—except when I cannot. Except when my fear takes over.
Whether we are a beginner or an advanced yogi, we can identify the asanas that challenge us both physically and mentally. And for each of us, there’s usually that pose that seems nearly impossible, and we want it all the same. Headstand (Sirasana, in Sanskrit) was this pose for me, though in fact, I never practiced it. Instead, I chose to rest in Child’s Pose while bodies inverted around me. Some of these individuals practiced with finesse, while others fell left, right, and forward simply because they granted themselves permission to try. I celebrated the beauty in their posture and the strength in their spirit while feeling the weight of myself on the ground. Instead of attempting, I avoided. This posture is not for me, I thought. I am not strong enough. I am not advanced enough. After two years of yoga practice, still, I felt insufficient in the face of the pose.
One day, at a wellness retreat outside of the cit…
Source http://www.sonima.com/yoga/mastering-headstand/
Yoga, for me, has always been an escape: It is not the workday; it is not a compact subway car filled with bodies on a humid summer’s day; it is not the chaotic, noisy streets. Yoga is a break from the cacophony that permeates every day. It’s a time to leave all of this behind, at least for one hour of the day. On the mat, I can be in control of my space, my breath, and my body. When I am tense, I turn inward to gain clarity and confidence from the physical practice—except when I cannot. Except when my fear takes over.
Whether we are a beginner or an advanced yogi, we can identify the asanas that challenge us both physically and mentally. And for each of us, there’s usually that pose that seems nearly impossible, and we want it all the same. Headstand (Sirasana, in Sanskrit) was this pose for me, though in fact, I never practiced it. Instead, I chose to rest in Child’s Pose while bodies inverted around me. Some of these individuals practiced with finesse, while others fell left, right, and forward simply because they granted themselves permission to try. I celebrated the beauty in their posture and the strength in their spirit while feeling the weight of myself on the ground. Instead of attempting, I avoided. This posture is not for me, I thought. I am not strong enough. I am not advanced enough. After two years of yoga practice, still, I felt insufficient in the face of the pose.
One day, at a wellness retreat outside of the cit…
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