You don't have to love it.

THANK YOU for the comments in my last entry. It seems like most people I encounter online and offline are in agreement with me on the Partner issue. So who exactly likes Partner Yoga??? I guess that will be an ongoing issue. I absolutely love getting comments and hearing from others.

Class last night was so nice. Most of the focus was on the shoulder blades (or the Pork Chops as my teacher likes to call them). My back is going to be sore tomorrow I just know it. Maybe not tomorrow, in two days my back will be sore. We were in headstand for a while too. I think at this point I can do a 3 minute headstand. It may not sound long, but time slows down when you're upside down. =P

I will say this, in 2008 I will OWN Supta Virasana. Unlike "Partner Yoga" which I would be totally ok with never doing again, Supta Virasana is the pose I have been working on. I have been doing a series of stretches before class and I have to say I am starting to notice a difference, especially today.

I still use five props for this pose, I don't think I will ever get to the point where I lay completely flat on my back but I do find it easier to let go and not cling to anything. There are poses I have difficulty doing, but instead of just saying "I don't like that pose! I'm not gonna do it anymore!" I rather understand why I don't like it, and how can I make it so I can be civil with it, I don't have to love it.

Another Partner Yoga Rant

Ok maybe not a "rant" per se. I went to class last night and a good portion of it was partner work *cringe!!* Actually it was not that bad but there were some things I opted out of doing (ie: dropbacks). I have mentioned in the past that I don't care for partner yoga and this class has not changed the way I feel. I was a good sport about it but I would have preferred a regular practice. In fact, I am liking partner yoga less and less.

I am not squeamish about others touching me or worried about hurting anyone, I am very strong and careful with others, but I feel like I don't get that in return. I don't have confidence in my yogi classmates, there I said it! I'm sure they mean well. Basically, I handle others the way my instructors handle me in adjustments. Why can't everyone else be that way? C'mon! Get rough with me alittle!

It sucks because what can you do? If the instructors annouces at the beginning of class that you're going to be doing partner stuff, do you get up leave? I didn't want to leave, I wanted to practice! And I like the teacher! I don't want to be a sourpuss either and not participate. I guess this was just another example of putting my pride asside and helping out a fellow-yogi, which I think I did. There were some things I helped them do that they never did before like coming out of Crow into a Handstand so I guess that my lesson in for the evening.

Chest Open, Back Bent!

I'm writing this entry during my lunch break in the middle of an incredibly hectic day that makes me want to pull my hair out. So far not good except for reading Regina's blog. That made me happy.

I will proclaim that class last night was gooooood. When my teacher said she was in a backbending kind of mood, I thought "Uh oh". I rather not do them and I dread that part of the class when we go into Wheel but I do it anyway. In turn it felt more like a chest opening class with the exception of one drop back (with a partner). Which leads to me ask, how does everyone feel about pairing up? I usually don't like it. It is not because I feel grossed out touching other people but my weight is always a concern in my dumb brain and I always worry that it gets in the way, although it never has in the past in a partner exercise, but I prefer to not do it.

We practice Pincha Mayurasana only trying to stand on our elbows with our palms to our chin, like a little pinup girl. I couldn't do it. My hands would not lift from the ground. It's hard enough for me to balance in the pose on my forearms.

I'm thinking about taking another class tomorrow, it is just that kind of week so far. I have too many worries on my mind that I just can't shake. It seems like the more time I devote to the mat, the more time it is not worrying.