The focus of the first week is in being present, in observing and responding to whatever arises. The practice for the week is based on the standing poses, meant to awaken the body through their vibrancy, and through the mind, body, breath and spirit, invest my whole being in the present. This focus depends upon the alertness of my mind, but also the receptivity and relaxation of my body. The standing poses also aim to awaken and renew my connection to the earth, which is essential in creating presence of mind.
Body focus: front, back, outsides, and insides of heels; sitting bones, tailbone, and pubis; natural curves of the spine
Poses of the week: Mountain Pose, Downward-Facing Dog Pose, Standing Forward Bend, Triangle Pose, Warrior 2 Pose, Extended Side Angle Pose, Tree Pose, Warrior 1 Pose, Half Moon Pose, Pyramid Pose, Legs Up the Wall Pose, Relaxation Pose, Hero Pose
Personal reflection: While looking forward to this practice, I'm also feeling very daunted right now. Will I have the time to complete even a single day? I'm trying not to push myself too hard... I haven't been sleeping well, and I want to make the most of this, so if I can't finish a whole day, I'll cut to the restorative poses and resume the rest of the session the next day. The book is based on practising six days a week, so maybe I will end up practising all seven, or maybe I will still take days off when I need to. I realized that if I look at it ONLY as six days of one hour of yoga each, I will never end up starting at all. I'm just going to dive in and try to make it work for me, whether that means a couple ten-minute sessions during the day, trying to focus on my breath while my daughter is playing, or waiting until she is asleep to begin. I'm not sure what will work yet, but I've put it off too long and can't let that keep me from starting.
Being present is something I struggle with. As a mom, a solo mom most of the time, 24/7 of my time is spent with my daughter. It's hard not to want to give myself a break sometimes and pick up my iPhone or flip through a magazine, but in doing so, I end up with my attention split between special moments with my daughter and my own relaxation, and in doing so, I'm left dissatisfied, with neither the bonding moment or the calm of mind I so desire. Splitting my focus accomplishes none of the things I intend it to do, and leaves me feeling like a failure as a mom and burnt out as a person. I want to be fully immersed in the moments of my life and to draw energy from those moments.
Being grounded in the present is also important to me so I can be able to appropriately respond to whatever arises. I often feel that I have absolutely no control over most, if not all, aspects of my life, and it's hard for me to let go, to accept the things I can't change. I want my heart to be open to receive and respond, I want to be able to let go of my expectations, allow my body and mind to balance over center and thus move easily in any direction, without any presumptions, fluid and able to respond in the ways that I choose.
I don't know if it's a coincidence that I'm starting this project at the beginning of the new lunar year / Chinese New Year, but I'm going to believe that this is a little push in the right direction from the universe.