Progress Not Perfection

Olga Palladino

Progress Not Perfection

For many years in my earlier years I was out of control in many ways.  I was using substances, people, places and things to fill the hole inside of me.  I had tried yoga once during this time when I was working at a museum on the Upper East Side.  I was intrgiued as the girl that introduced me to it was very cool but I wasn't ready yet.  In 2002, I was defeated physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally, and hit a huge bottom.  With help, I was able to overcome my obstacles and decided that I was now ready to try to give yoga another try.  The first time I really practiced, I remember falling in love with everything related to the movement of the body, the teacher, the room, the smell of the studio, and the breathing -- the glorious breathing that the teacher kept reminding me to focus on.  From that moment on, I connected with a part of myself that I didn't really know and knew I wanted to explore more. I felt that practicing yoga would allow this to happen.  Since 2002, I have accomplished things I never thought possible and my life as a sober woman is beyond my wildest dreams.  The practice of Yoga has been a huge part of part of uncovering my truth.  Today, I am a mother, a loyal and honest wife, daughter, sister and friend.  One thing I have to remember is that there is no perfect human being; we are all perfectly imperfect.  Yoga helps you embrace your imperfections, work on them and accept the imperfections of others.  It helps me to embrace who I truly am one day at a time.  This practice is about letting go, and letting God.  For me, this is the only way to live.  This lead up to a drop back sequence is about opening up your heart for yourself and accept vulnerability to let others see all of you and your imperfections

Sequence for Drop Back

Matsayasana over a bolster
Adho Mukha Svansana
Warrior 1 both sides
Utkatasana
Tadasana
Urdhva Hastasana lifting arms but arching the chest up and back just a bit turning hip points forward
Uttanasana with bent knees
Chaturanga to the floor
Sphinx
Bhujangasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Crescent Moon reach arms up, open across the chest and collar bones, lengthen tail down
Ahdho Mukha Svanasana
Crescent Moon other side
Utkatasana
Nataranjasana playing with both sides 60 percent of the way
Thumbs in armpit lifting the heart
Urdhva Hastasana more of an opening in the chest
Uttananasna with bent knees long spine
Step, step back Chaturanga
Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Hands and Knees
Sit in between shins forVirasana/for some reclined Virasana
Hands and Knees
Stretch each leg back one at a time, lengthening through the heel of the foot
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Plank
Chaturanga to the floor
Salabasana hands thread behind head
Salabasana hands interlace behind lower back
Shoulder stretch both sides lie on belly reach right hand out in line with right shoulder, roll over onto the outside of the right hip by pressing left hand into the earth/ other side
Come on to back Bridge Pose
Urdhva Dhanurasana
Constructive Rest
Stand at front of mat
Drop Back prep with thumbs in armpits to maybe start reaching the arms up and back as the chest continues to lift up
Constructive Rest
Back lying flat on floor, knees over hips feet dangling and off the floor, hands on knees and arms are straight
Pond Pose
Supta Padangushthasana
Supine Twist
Shavasana
3 minute Meditation