Day After Day

I've noticed that I have a pattern in how well my practice goes each week.

Day 1: Whether I took one day off or two, there are still cobwebs and tightness. Almost makes me want to practice daily, but that would be too exhausting. Plus, there's something pleasurable about taking the time to start over again.

Day 2 (which is what today was, because I didn't practice Sunday): I feel back to where I left off last week, but it takes effort.

Day 3: This is always a crap practice day for me. I don't know why. My focus is usually off, and I'm suddenly sore in weird places -- different places each week. If it happens this way tomorrow, I'll let you know where. I imagine it's because new places open up each week, which I guess is good, but it's still kind of annoying.

Day 4: On this day, I usually fly. It's pretty much always my best practice day.

Day 5: I'm tired. That's all that matters. Tired. If I'm smart and take it slow, it's a good day. If I'm impatient and just try to get it done, it's a bad day. Whichever it is doesn't change the fact that I'm tired.

Day 6: I've only done six days once (last week). I was so psyched that I made it a whole week that it sort of over-rode any other feelings.

As for today, specifically, I was able to do all 5 Navasanas without flopping around (I usually lose form a bit for 4 and definitely for 5)! However, I couldn't lift up between 4 and 5. I mean, I did, but it was a totally wimpy, short breath, and just a quick up-down-oh-my-god-get-me-through-this-because-I'm-DONE! kind of lift up. Maybe tomorrow I'll do all 5 AND lift up good and proper.

Escape from Marichyasana D

I started binding in Marichyasana D last week, but I can only do it with help from E, my teacher. I didn't practice Sunday because I was away on a little beach vacation, so I was a little stiff this morning. I got into position while he was spotting someone else and was able to twist but not bind.

As I'm coming out of the modified asana, I see E walking to my mat with this look on his face.

Me: You don't have to look so threatening.
E: That's not threatening. That's, "There is no escape." Okay... maybe it's a little threatening.

Then he made me do it again.

The weirdest thing about the Marichyasana D spot is that it's like, "Hey! Let's get into make out position!" You grab my arm, and I'll grab your elbow. You put one leg around my hip and the other over my leg. Then reach around and hold my hand until I can clasp my own...

Doesn't it sound like there should be some smooching somewhere in there?

But there isn't. And it's weird because it's both physical and intimate without being erotic at all. Or, at least, it's not erotic to me, and E is even a looker. I guess -- since I've never really played any sports -- that I'm not usually in a position like that (physical, intimate, NOT erotic). Usually, it's all three or none of the above. But maybe this points toward a good thing: that my focus during my practice is well-placed.