Mr. Iyengar does Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon Pose) pose with the balancing hand flat and the top arm engaged but resting on the side body. I have always done it as the model in the photo, hand on fingertip, top arm extending up.
In my practice today, I kept playing with each variation, thinking about how I felt in the pose. I could tell I was more grounded with my hand flat and for someone who has a hard time grounding, that says alot. At the same time, I kept preferring my old way. It got me thinking is it attachment or is it preference? Am I attached to the old way and I need to release the resistance? Or is it okay to prefer the way I do it?
I am currently making many changes in my life. I am preparing to take on a lot of teacher training next year at both the beginning and advanced level. I need to prepare my body, mind and soul for leading. Plus, I am a firm believer in doing myself what I expect others (the trainees and my staff) to do and I expect quite a bit from those who are studying with me or working for me.
Therefore, I have seriously upped my practice and what I need to do to maintain my consciousness. I have also encountered serious mental resistance to these changes. Attachment? Or is it preference? I have an evening off tonight. My husband took our children to a birthday party. I have five glorious, unexpected hours to myself. I don't take "lazy" time very often. In fact, learning to stop, relax, and surrender has been a lesson I have been learning for my entire life (probably even lifetimes...:-) ) Maybe tonight is the night to not do my practice...
If you need resolution to this post, let's say this, we need to balance each moment and stay conscious to our motivations behind what we are doing. I think I need a night off. I am off to a bath...
ardhagretchenhomewidel
Originally uploaded by ommango
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