Learning How to Lie Down

Andie Sablosky      


When I was 8 years old I went to a summer camp and they had an “Olympics”. Small and fast I partook in the track events. I’d saddle up to the line and as soon as the whistle blew I’d run my ass off with one thing in mind, I had to be the fastest. I had to be the best. After every race I’d hyperventilate completely worse for wear. My little 8 year old self didn’t know how to pace, for me there was only one speed charge as fast as my body could handle and when it couldn't handle it ignore it and keep going till the task was completed.  A counselor once looked at me and said, kid don’t you know you don’t have to sprint the entire time, I remember the exact thing I thought even at 8 years old, that isn’t an option for me. For so many years there was a guilt attached to slowing down, pacing, lying down, or simply coming out of an uncomfortable situation. In a difficult challenge I’ve always said the same thing, I’ve got it I’ll just put my head down and plow.

My body was built for power, for strength, and to push, but I’ve learned the hard way my body is not one sided. I was drawn to yoga to give back to my body. Within my yoga practice I’m trying to shed the guilt I feel when I don’t push my body to the limit. That it’s ok to not demand of my body, but to give back. I’ve started to place a heavy emphasis on props in my practice and not allowing myself to get to deep into things even though I have the ability to do so. I try to back off, but the series of conversations that cycle through my head when I do is very difficult to let go of. Finding the balance is very difficult for me between knowing how to be kind to myself and what loosely quoted from Rodney is opening the sweat lodge door to early. In my life and my asana practice I’m at the beginning of this, but I’m aware of it and that's already made a world of difference for me.

Here’s a sequence created out of kindness to myself, which will hopefully translate to my students and their ability to also be kind to their own bodies.

Start in childs pose with block under head and also supporting chest so that its not as deeply folded.  (if I have barriers it allows me to stop judging, especially since I’m doing what I’m told)

DD bend knees deeply

Walk to front of the mat – bent knees stand

Stretch up urdvha hastasana – closed eyes for a moment

Surya namaksar A (with plank lower all the way down to baby cobra)

Utkatasana make it bouncy and easy

DD to plank 3 times on breath (this really gets me out of my head while still creating heat)

Trikonasana with block on highest height, breath - eyes partly closed -5 breaths breath into the back of the head

Prasarita Padottonasana A – hands down, first bend and straighten right leg, left leg side to side then bend both knees slightly for a moment then straighten and fold. With block under the head - 5 breaths breath into heart and kidneys– walk around to front of mat –

DD

Jump into a cross legged

Dandasana – 2 breaths here

Crossed legged seat forward fold belly up and over - switch legs  (not Paschimottansana bc I obsess over folding all the way bc of gymnastics. I’ll yank myself down.) 5 breaths folded each side

Virhasana with block – garudasana arms move thru small backbend to rounding in on breath. 2 rounds each arm of back bending and rounding – 5 breaths after hands just on thighs resting.

Legs up a wall

Savasana with blanket on hips