Day 51 of Challenge (60/60), Classes #52 & #53 ~ Mula Bandha!

I decided to take yesterday as a rest day in preparation for today’s beginners class and advanced class. I am so glad I did! I got to spend the entire day with the family and the weather was just perfect. We strolled around Carytown  and had pizza together and bought cupcakes. It was such a perfect relaxing day. I ran out of my E3live so I was in a little bit of a panic that I wouldn’t have any this morning. It all worked out ok and I made sure to buy a bottle today.

The 11am class at Stony Point was pleasantly busy. I managed to tuck myself in the front left corner. Having all the advanced people there brought great energy to the class. Natalie taught the 11am class but she was feeling a little under the weather. She mentioned the heat definitely helped her sinuses out. Now we are getting into cold and flu season… yuck. I am going to work hard at keeping healthy. It’s a tough thing to do when you are in and out of hospitals everyday and when you have a 5 yr old and 3 yr old.

The 11am regular class was pretty uneventful. I had an ok class but it really was humid today and I think I sweat buckets in class. I drank a coconut water before class and brought one into class and had one in between the two classes. Other people brought Emergen-C and I am definitely going to get some of that stuff and see if it makes a difference with the cramping. The guy in my rear view today was wearing a long sleeve shirt and I just couldn’t help but feel extra hot just looking at him wearing it. I can’t even imagine the struggle it was getting the shirt off after class.

I had a banana, changed clothes and rehydrated before the advanced class. Garland and Marc went to some Ashtanga Yoga seminar yesterday where they talked about Mula Bandha – it is Sanskrit for Root Lock. It’s one of the three interior body “locks” used in asana and pranayama practice to control the flow of energy. Basically you suck your lower stomach in really deep and then squeeze your anus in and up. You don’t hold your breath and you don’t engage your glute muscles.  Apparently this helps you get into your postures deeper and easier and without as much effort. You are drawing into a different area of support in your body and it’s supposed to give you an extra lift. I was so fascinated to hear about Mula Bandha. I am so glad I came to class today to hear about it and to learn more about. Of course I googled it as soon as I got home and read more about it.

I tried using Mula Bandha  throughout class and it did make the full camel pose so much easier. It’s hard to get the hang of it because you want to hold your breath when you do it and you can’t hold your breath in any of the poses. We also did partner standing back bends and Katie and I were partners. She did awesome… basically she did awesome the whole class. I got half way back and freaked out and had to come back down. I will work on that one. I did do a headstand against the wall by myself and didn’t freak out or hurt myself so I am making progress. Class didn’t seem as awkward today so I am thinking in a few months it will be more normal.

I am hoping the whole Mula Bandha practicing will make a difference for me. I will keep you posted. I am now 7 classes away from completing this journey! I can’t believe it… I am hoping the last 7 classes won’t be tortuous. I am going to try and get a massage some time this week.

Namaste Peeps!