Abhyasa
The workshop I took with Noah on Monday was so crazy and challenging that my quads still hurt! I have to tell you that going to a three-hour workshop on backbends is not my cup of tea. I can do three hours of hip openers, three hours of philosophy... But backbends? No! Backbends are my hardest class of asanas. I have a flat cervical spine, a flat thoracic spine and an excessive curvature in my lumbar spine, so my back doesn't bend that easily.
However, I try, I try almost every day in my practice to incorporate these most challenging poses and the rewards are immense.
When I was sitting in that room at City Yoga with Noah and about 20 other yogis, I felt so so proud of myself for being there and placing myself in such a challenging spot. And as often happens, when you keep showing up over and over for something, it starts to reveal itself to you.
Abhyasa is the best term that encapsulates this concept. It's showing up, over and over, for a long period of time with a devoted heart. The word abhyasa means: "a continuous endeavor; constant practice; repetition; exercise; exertion." The word breaks down into two words: abhi which means "toward" and as which means "to throw." What a powerful image, that of throwing yourself towards something you desire, whether that be backbends, or your meditation practice, or a relationship, or your own art...
What is it that you want to "throw yourself towards?"
I also noticed that after studying with Noah who is such a clear teacher, my teaching became clearer and more challenging. It's amazing how we can take the energy of the teacher we just studied with. And hopefully integrate it with our own.
Off to teach a class at Black Dog and then I go to Puerto Rico!
I'll be there till Monday.
High School 20th reunion is coming up this Saturday.
We'll see what happens there!
Thanks for your comments about backbends. I always feel like I'm alone in my struggles with this popular group of poses. I have similar construction - reverse curve in cervical spine, overly kaiphotic (?) thoracic and overly lordotic lumbar... backbends rarely feel graceful but I keep practicing, repeating, throwing myself towards them and little by little, slowly but surely my backbends are evolving. I love the idea of applying the concept of abyasa to them. Thank you for your insight and expression. You always bring a new light to every corner you touch.
xoxox Mackie
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