Wackyfish

I have been working on the Crane (Bakasana) pose on and off for several years now. So it was really amazing (and funny) that on Tuesday night I was finally able to move my weight off my big toe and over my center, fully supporting myself with my arms. I held the pose for about 10 seconds, and then my arms got wobbly, my balance shifted, and I came crashing down. I looked at Taialofa and tried not to laugh. I didn’t want to disturb the whole class, and I wasn’t hurt. We were both thrilled I had finally made it!

My exposure to yoga began about two years before I left for the Peace Corps. My chiropractor at the time mentioned that some people had found back relief through yoga.
So I mentioned it to Nonnie and we decided to go see if we could find a class at our gym. We spent an hour in a packed yoga class pretty much totally unable to do any of the poses. And when the teacher introduced us to Crane, we both gave each other this… “you have got to be kidding” look. I didn’t think about yoga again for about a year.

About a year later I found a beginning yoga DVD at my local New Age bookshop and thought I would give it a try again and see. Starting off in my own private space at a very beginning level was just what I needed. I began with fifteen min in the morning, once a week or so. (I know, talk about slow!) I didn’t find I was getting any more fit, but I did notice I was more centered and focused during the day and that I slept better. Over time I worked my way up to more time. When I got to Samoa I decided I would try to really advance my practice so I could see more of the benefits. Shortly there after Taialofa (the islands ONLY yoga instructor) moved here. I was blessed with once a week classes. For about a year I managed to practice on my own pretty regularly in addition to the classes. I never did more than 20 – 30 min at a time because… well I have some mild ADD and get bored easily. But I do feel much better and I know that over the course of the past two years I have converted some of what was once flab into muscle tone.
I am hoping that when I am back in San Francisco I can get to classes regularly. The act of going to a class provides a lot more structure and motivation for me. But I also would love to find a way to make my own personal private practice more of a priority in my life.

Anyway, I started working more on the Crane pose a few months ago because it is supposed to tone your arms. And I will admit, I am vain. I am working on toning my arms as an accessory to my tattoo. What can I said… no one is perfect.