Balancing

Despite the horrible weather yesterday, the asthanga class was very full. I love the Wednesday classes as there is a Body Combat class in the studio right before us and they normally heat up the room to a nice hot temperature - this time though there were only three people on that class so air conditioning had kept the room cool. Which means more work for us to heat it up - Karen says we should aim to get the mirrors steaming up, but so far we haven't been able to do it.

I had said to Karen last time that I'd love to do some revolved asanas for a change - so she added Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose) to the set yesterday. I haven't done this in ages, and several newer members in the class had never done it - so it caused some giggles when people where trying to figure out what to do. I knew what to do - but I was surprised that I was firstly able to just reach to the floor and put my palm next to my foot, and secondly I was able to keep my balance. Pressure was on as Karen said that she was doing this for me, so people were looking to me to show how it was done! Balance has always been a weakness for me - I don't know if it's just me, but especially the revolved postures get me wobbling uncontrollably.

On the other hand, I've been really improving on my standing balance postures so maybe that's where it comes from. I'm really making progress with Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana (Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Bend), and for twice in a row now I've been able to get hold of my toes - but only on the left side (meaning my right hand grabs hold of my left foot toes), but I just can't do the right side. It's interesting how holding on to your toes also gives you more balance, somehow grounds you - I'm then able to concentrate on the bend itself instead of trying concentrate in not falling over.