Daily Yoga Meal Record:
10/3 Shared pizza with Andrew. 8:00 p.m.
Remained seated? Yes ✓ No.
Refrained from conversation while chewing? Yes ✓ No (if no, % of meal = __%)
Refrained from any external distractions? Yes No ✓
Waited until food was completely chewed and swallowed before picking up my next bite. Yes✓ No (if no, % of meal = __%)
Refrained from putting more than two handfuls of food on my plate at any given time, finished eating my two handfuls, then waited 3-5 minutes before taking more food. Yes ✓ No.
Waited 2-6 hours before taking my next meal. Yes✓ No.
Comments: We made homemade pizza with vegan cheese, tomato sauce for the base, red onions, green peppers, fresh mushrooms, mild Italian sausage and chicken breast. I had one generous slice. We were not free from distractions – we were having a date night where we listened to music and played cribbage (I lost both rounds). We had a lot of fun in the creation and eating of our pizza :)
Daily Meditation:
10/3 9:00 a.m. In living room, seated at couch. Time passed more quickly in meditation today or rather I was less agitated. Less thoughts of doubt, more of a to-do list running through my head. Kept bringing my attention back to my breath. No silence. I can hear the rustle of leaves through the window; sounds wet out side, cars driving on wet pavement. Mettā-meditation focus on the great kindness people have shown me – may they too receive great kindness and understanding.
Daily Practice:
10/3 I performed 10 Sun Salutation A's on my own in Andrew's basement. After my own practice, I led Andrew in a sequence of five Sun Salutation A's (which is half of my required "homework" for the week).
The fourth and fifth sequences were the best of the set I had him practice. I am sure if we had continued through to ten he would have been flowing with ease. It has been a few years since he has been a regular practitioner but this helped me in simplifying instructions and explaining when directions were not clear. I think the trickiest part of the explanation was progressing from Uttanasana (i.e. forward fold, position 3) to Chaturunga Dandasana (lowering through plank to the ground/downward pushup, position 4) and then from Urdhva Muka Svasana (or upward facing dog/cobra, position 5) into Adho Muka Svasana (downward facing dog). Criticism here was to get yogi to flow with breath and stay with breath through five full inhalations and exhalations. We did not get to focusing on bandhas yet. I need to drill the B(reath)M(ovement)D(rishti) into my mind with the most simple names/explanations as possible, keep sequence moving!!
"Start hands at heart center gaze ahead–"
"Inhale arms up, gaze through fingertips."
"Exhale, forward fold, gaze towards knees.""Inhale, lifting halfway, gaze forward."
"Exhale, palms to mat, walk feet back to plank and lower body to the floor, gaze to the front""Inhale, lift – bring body up on to hands and top of feet, gaze up"
"Exhale, toes curl under, push body up and back into downward facing dog, gaze towards navel. You will be here for five breaths... feet and hands should be shoulder width distance apart; if you feel strain in your lower back you may bend your knees. At the end of your fifth inhalation, exhale your hands to the front of the mat.""Inhale, half way lift, gaze is forward."
"Exhale, bend down, gaze back at knees.""Inhale, come all the way up, hands overhead, gaze is lifted through fingertips."
"Exhale, hands come to heart center. We meet in Sama-sthiti and prepare for our next sequence."
Daily Gratitude:
10/3 Thankful that Andrew let me practice teaching Sun Salutation A to him :) Glad I was able to check out the Boy Scouts; decided against the opportunity but so glad that I checked it out and had such a positive experience. I connected with Barry and let him know my decision, he was glad that I was true to myself and my needs at this time and encouraged me if I ever wanted to re-apply. Feeling more at peace today, less emotional turbulence. Tired. Thankful that I am able to take time to rest.
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