Impermanence

I had the fantastic fortune of going back to yoga this week. I've really missed it since we moved. I tried to establish a practice here, but it's a bit crowded, and never very quiet. When yoga is properly practiced, at least for me, it's such a wonderful moving meditation. At least, that's how I think it ought to be.

I was lucky enough to have a classically trained teacher - a true yogini. I learned SO much from her. In fact, right before we left, I was contemplating certifying, at her suggestion. At this point, though, I've got a long journey back to where I was....

At the end of my first week back of regular practice, I had an instructor who's practice was less than balanced. We did entirely too many sustained inversions, to my mind, at least for the mixed level of participants there. I was thinking that through most of the practice. After the class, I was trying to show my MIL (she was in the class that day) the traditional sun salutation (Surya Namaskar) I "grew up" with when my right shoulder just gave way and collapsed, right in the middle of bhujangasana. Talk about a total shock. I use my arms all the time - they are not weak, to my mind (think farmer's wife). The only thing I can think of is that it was the same shoulder that I dislocated 3 times when I was a toddler. I dunno. Anyway, I've been forced to rest it this week, and practice has been impossible. Actually, for the first few days, a lot of things were impossible, or at least very painful.

It occurred to me that this was a great teaching for me - a lesson in humility and impermanence. Life changes, we all age, the range of possibilities shifts. I have no doubt I can return to my yoga practice. I just need to be more mindful and gentle with myself.