Mental practice

Because of the trip and being ill last week, I've missed altogether two weeks of ashtanga, and boy did I feel it last night. In addition to the room being chilled when we started (so had a good stretch beforehand), I felt weak and stiff pretty much all the way trough. I was also worried that my recent anxiety might mean I wouldn't be able to concentrate properly, but I just took Karen's advice to heart - "Let your breathing become your mantra" - and tried to concentrate on my breathing every time I noticed my thoughts wondering.

So despite the poor(er) physical practice, it was mentally a good one - something I really really needed. I'm really glad I went - I find that at times like this I feel like skipping all "mandatory" arrangements and just state "tiredness" as a reason claiming to myself that I need some rest... I almost didn't go yesterday. I've learned though that in truth this is almost never a good idea - exercise, but especially yoga, helps to calm the body and the mind.

I would have even gone to bed early, hadn't they shown the Olympic weightlifting on the telly. After talking about doping yesterday, I believe that Iranian Hossein Rezazadeh - in addition to being a wonderful character - is one of those people that really deserved to win.

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