Tonight Kitty and I will be attending our fourth ashtanga session. We
are both really enjoying this new method of exercise. It is quite
relaxing, but also strenuous and exhausting. To me, ashtanga requires
even more mental focus than distance running. In running one of the
most important factors in keeping yourself going is your mind. You have
to will yourself to push a little harder, to run a little faster. After
several training runs you find yourself already improved in your ability
to keep on going.
The same thing seems to be happening for me with ashtanga as well. The
first time I was in class, three weeks ago, I was surprised and amazwed
by what the advanced students could do. Actually, I still am amazed,
but bit by bit I am becoming more flexible, stronger, and better
balanced.
Today, an instructor at the Satsang studio in Westfield told me to think
of my yoga practice in terms of decades. That made me laugh, but I
think it’s a good idea.