Week 218: Back to the Basics

Don’t you love when you have a light bulb moment or one deep with realization?!

I’ve run through Warrior I and II (Virabhadrasana I and II) sequences for years. My common complaint is the major difference in how my hips feel in each pose. Warrior I tends to feel like such a forced effort getting the hips squared and parallel to the front of the mat. I’ve shorten my split stance and still find it challenging. In warrior II, the hips are of no concern. Even to the point where the pose is super comfy and I bask in holding it.

What gives?

Well, for starters, I am not convinced that my pelvis is in alignment. It hasn’t been for some time. And “forcing” it into warrior I position is a clear indication that something is off.

Yet, in this week’s practice, I finally realized what ELSE is going on!

My quads turn on fire in warrior I. Sometimes it feels like I’ve been in the pose for only 10 seconds when I have to extend my knee to give my quadriceps a break. My first thought is that my quads are overrun from the cycling I do (at least three rides/week for 45-60 minutes each session).

But when I ran through the sequence this week, with beginner’s eyes, I realized something else.

I’m loading up my quadriceps by focusing on my front leg only and not allowing the back leg to take on any of the work. I hazard a guess that if I was to take a picture of myself in the pose or watch in a mirror, I might even have my torso more forward over my front leg.

With a super kinesthetic awareness cue, Adriene had me actually tap my adductors of the back thigh to ensure they were engaged. It was almost like I’d awaken the missing link. Not only did the adductors engage but my glute of the same leg did too.

Whoa! What symmetry a balanced warrior I feels like!

Working as a sleuth this week, I appreciated Adriene’s beginner practice where I could slow down and focus on the fundamentals. In the description it even says, "This practice is also great for yoga teachers or aspiring yoga teachers!”.

Clearly a shout out to me! ;)

This month is my “take the leap” month. I’ve started working on the paperwork for the Yoga Association of Alberta’s 300 hour Hatha Teacher Training. I’m keen to start in January 2017 with the first module. I can’t lie, I’ve got some irrational fears like who will I find to be my mentor (you need a senior teacher to take you on), will I be able to do all the modules in order (let’s face it, I like order) and will the expectations be too much (can I still stick with my home practice for now??? Getting to a class is such a challenge). BUT it is time I get started…formally at least!

And with that being said, this week’s practice was a great reminder to all the poses I need to know. I’m pretty confident that I’ve covered all the asanas listed in the Teacher Training package. Yet, it is a great reminder to go back to the basics, like warrior I and II this week.

I am getting excited to finally put my 218 weeks of blogging to the test! I am certain it will be a journey of growth and learning as well as a chance to really get some much needed eyes on my hips! Home practice just doesn’t afford that!

Ready to leap!
LW