Dave’s Yoga Goals

Yoga is a selfless selfish act. It is a self improvement activity that not only improves your own moment of now, but it also positively affects others. It’s self manifested self improvement that overflows into that which is part of your environment. All that you touch, say and think is influenced by yoga and, at the same time, that which you feel is enhanced.

The selfless part is what flows through you into your environment. Ultimately, it is anything that you create. That selflessness is experienced in every word that you choose to speak and every way in which you choose to resonate in your environment. It is your interaction in life. It is that action that actually makes you feel good about the choices that you make.

The selfish side of things is what you get in return; enhanced feelings. The subtle things in life go from being overlooked and invisible to noticed and experienced. Things that you might have been numb to before, become pronounced and energetically influencing after practicing yoga for a while. The insensitivities that we build up to things like ‘curse words’ or ‘vulgar actions’ are no longer tolerated. The act of yoga aligns the self with the intentions of the self so as to amplify your own vibration to the point where you can feel the harmony and discord of other people and things that enter your perception.

I have been open to yoga for as long as I can remember. The problem was that I never made time for it. In January, nearly a year and a half ago, I committed to giving yoga enough time that I could say “I do yoga” with some reasonable level of belief. I started with an open mind and approached class like every good student should – I accepted being the student.

I took nearly nine months of practice to get to the point where I no longer hurt after the hour workout. I can’t remember how many days my butt hurt for hours, but that is mostly behind me now. At about a year, I finally started to feel my body giving in to the postures. It was at that time that I started to really feel good about my practice.

It was at about that year threshold that I really started to notice those new sensitivities referenced above. I am looking forward to seeing what the next year will bring.

Now, before stating my goals, I have to share a little inspiration with you. A few months ago, one of my yoga instructors took a month to attend a yoga seminar. She mentioned Ana Forrest as if everyone knew who she is. I didn’t. What’s a yoga seminar? After that class, the instructor wrote down the name and gave it to me. A few minutes later, I Googled the name and found this:

I watched the entire six and ½ minutes amazed. Upon completion, I promptly clicked on part two:

That, I have to say, is a bit beyond what I’d even imagined for a goal. That is a lifestyle with no time for blogging! Lol…

The simple truth is that a few years ago, I had a view office at work that overlooked a main thoroughfare and everyday, without exception, an old man walked the sidewalk. He always wore a gray hooded sweatshirt regardless of the weather yet he could hardly walk. I’m sure we’ve all seen the old man that struggles to get out of his chair and then, when he walks, he takes little steps while struggling to keep his balance? This guy that walked the sidewalk, not only took little steps, but his spine was warped and disfigured from age. The primary inspiration for me to start yoga was watching that guy struggle to walk the street every day. The best part about it; he was doing it. The worst part about it; I was sitting tensed up at the computer watching him work out his issues.

So, I vow to not be like that. I will have good posture. I will be able to move my hips and walk. I will not have a hard time getting out of a chair as I age. Rather, I will breathe. I will garden. I will be active. I will enjoy the time that I’ve worked so hard for.  🙂

So, to keep it simple:

Physically

  • Perform a balanced handstand for at least 15 seconds

Pretty sure everyone knows what this means. To get there, I’m going to have to be able to do a few more pushups. Lol…

  • Sit Yogi Style

Here is a Half Lotus pose, but I’d like to actually do the full pose. I remember being able to sit that way for a short while as a kid. As I try today, I like the way it straightens out my back. Breathing is a bit easier too.

  • Perform the splits

I’m sure everyone knows this pose, but I’m going with a simple version! Something like this. Nothing complex or I won’t have anything to work towards next year.

  • Perform bird of paradise

Here is a picture. Right now, I’m a ball of shakes as I try to straighten my leg.

  • Comfortably perform the dancer’s pose

Here is one of my instructors (Georgina See the fifth picture down) performing the pose. She makes it look easy.

  • Comfortably Ujjayi breathe throughout a standard practice.

This one might take a little more explaining. The Wikipedia states:

Ujjayi breathing is a breath technique employed in a variety of Hindu and Taoist Yoga practices. In relation to Hindu Yoga, it is sometimes called “the ocean breath”. Unlike some other forms of pranayama, the ujjayi breath is typically done in association with asana practice.

Ujjayi is a diaphragmatic breath, which first fills the lower belly (activating the first and second chakras), rises to the lower rib cage (the third and fourth chakras), and finally moves into the upper chest and throat. The technique is very similar to the three-part Tu-Na breathing found in Taoist Qi Gong practice.

Inhalation and exhalation are both done through the nose. The “ocean sound” is created by moving the glottis as air passes in and out. As the throat passage is narrowed so, too, is the airway, the passage of air through which creates a “rushing” sound. The length and speed of the breath is controlled by the diaphragm, the strengthening of which is, in part, the purpose of ujjayi. The inhalations and exhalations are equal in duration, and are controlled in a manner that causes no distress to the practitioner.

I’m just now starting to be able to breathe this way. I guess if I keep working on it, I’ll get better. Practice makes perfect – right?

That pretty much sums up the physical side of things. What’s more important to me is the spiritual goals. With this in mind, I’ve got goals that go beyond the physical.

Spiritually (during practice)

  • Regularly experience Hu

A couple times now my yoga has taken me to the point where the Hu sound has filled the room. Both times, at the moment of recognition, my awareness cancelled my sensitivity. I’d like to experience that more often – not the cancellation, but the Hu!

  • Be one hundred percent present

For the most part my mind doesn’t wander during class. It’s just went the action and instruction stops. That’s when my mind wonders. I’m going to save that wondering time for before and after class.

  • Give in; no emotional resistance

If I have to cry, I will. If I have to laugh, I will. It’s about the moment and the transformation.

I’m sure I’ll come up with more ideas that I’ll want to express as goals and there’s nothing stopping me from posting those as the thoughts come up. Don’t you just love blogs?

Thanks for letting me share these thoughts with you in this public setting. Keep in mind that if I can do it, you most likely can too!

Share some happy thoughts and make them count!

1 thought on “Dave’s Yoga Goals

Leave a Comment