There has been one particular posture that I have not been able to complete on my left side from the beginning of my Ashtanga practice over 9 years ago. In Ardha Baddha PadmottasanaI have not been able to grab my big toe from behind my back and fold forward. Long ago I accepted the fact that I could not bind in this posture and continued during each practice to patiently work at the posture to the best of my ability, hoping that some day there would be improvement.
In May of this year (2007) while I was at the Tim Miller weekend workshop in Halifax, I was able to bind and fold forward for the first time without assistance. I could feel the foot move up that last inch that was needed in order for the bind to happen. Over the following two months with regular and consistent practice the flexibility has become well established and I am now able to regularly bind on the left side in the posture.
When we start a yoga practice for the first time we are surprised at how tight and inflexible our body has become over the years and are impatient and want the flexibility to return right away. It has taken a long time for our body to lose its flexibility and it will take some time for the flexibility to return. Our impatience usually lasts about six months. During this time we gradually develop patience and acceptance of the flexibility that is available in our body while working to improve that flexibility. We are rewarded with gradual improvements each week, each month, each year, each decade.
I long ago decided that I needed to accept where the body is at in its flexibility and work patiently and consistently with my yoga practice to improve that flexibility. With regular and consistent practice the flexibility will return. In some cases it may take 9 years or more.
Hopefully your journey to improved flexibility in a posture does not take as long and that you will have patience along the way.
August 2007 Newsletter
