I’ve just updated my Progress Page to display the latest photos (for May). The pictures were actually taken by Liliane after I arrived in Luzern as things got a little crazy during the last few days in Budapest. This happened in the last 3 locations so at least I’m consistent!
So the photo may not be a spectacular rendition of Dandayamana Janushirasana: my left leg is a little low, I’m leaning to far back, am sporting a little fat roll and I forgot to pull my pants up properly over my butt! But it marks a special point in my practice – May was the first month I’ve ever locked “both” knees!
So how am I doing now? Well, last week I was struggling a fair bit. When it all comes together it’s magic, when it doesn’t, I try to imagine lying on a beach getting a tan on a very hot day.. hey it works for the first 5 or 10 seconds! But I’m back to practicing some strong classes again. Speaking with other yogis here, they felt the same, so it’s good to know I wasn’t suffering alone!
Timo, a teacher from Zurich dropped in for a Saturday afternoon class and showed me how to do the back bending properly (hands walking backwards down the wall), so I can start to open up a bit more and hopefully go a little deeper during class. It’s a pretty intense thing doing 10 of these after class but will be a new challenge for the next month and we’ll see how I go.
Thanks for all the comments and emails coming through, it’s very inspiring for me especially knowing how many other yogis are practicing the Global Bender challenge with me right now!
Arriving in Switzerland was somewhat of a shock. I was feeling a little numb, not quite sure if I was ready (see Clean Slate) so what better way to throw myself into month five and the Global Bender by doing a double.
We go for dinner at a vegetarian buffet and I think, “Awesome, eat as much as you can lad”. I heap my plate high, each taste bud jumping up and down like excited little children, stomach palpitating. Timo directs me to the scales.. wtf, I have to weigh my plate? Oh shit! The bill shouts “47.00 Swiss Franks” and Timo exclaims, “A new record!”
