Me and Hanuman
Over at World Yoga Practice Month (Turned into Year), this month’s challenge is to work on a difficult pose of your choice for the entire month. This would include choosing 4-5 poses to support you in getting into the pose and working with them daily for the month of April.
At first, I read the challenge, and kind of blew it off. Really, just doing the basics of Yoga is wonderful for me and I don’t feel like “challenging” my needing-to-heal body. And, plus, it would be so hard to choose ONE to work on. I’ve always been a “strong” Yogi: inversions and backbends (considered very challenging) are not so hard for me. But my hamstrings? HA! And my shoulders? Double HA! I really can just focus on the basics and gain great benefit…
So today, I went for a long walk and while I was walking, the April challenge popped back into my head for some reason. All of a sudden, Hanuman, and his Yoga asana, were also there in my head. So, of course, I am taking the challenge. I will be working with Hanumanasana this month.
Until my early twenties, I could actually do this asana. Then years of sitting at a desk took priority over keeping my Hanumanasana fresh… I worked with it for the first time in a loooonnnng time today, and, I have, err, some work to do, to say the least. But, as Hanuman is considered invincible, immortal and super powerful, I look forward to channeling this energy by working with the pose that venerates his great strength.
April 2nd, 2008 at 11:27 am
What will be the 4-5 poses you use to support this pose?
I’ve been having difficulty deciding what pose is my difficult pose, because, at this point in time, all poses are rather difficult. What I do have difficulties with in general are core power poses (bridges). Could you perhaps suggest a pose for me? I’d try it out and then you could help me to know what poses could support it? I’d be ever so grateful.
April 2nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
my shoulders are the tightest, most difficult part of my body to stretch.
I wonder what makes one of us tight in one area but another person can be completely flexible in that area but tight in a different area.
Why is that Nona? If anyone knows, it’s you.
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Wow, I think this is a wonderful way to reinvigorate a practice (and, btw, I think your website is wonderful too.)
I will definitely be participating.
But what asana to pick….
April 2nd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I’m glad something came to you!
I’m thinking Uttitha Hasta Padangustasana is a good prep!
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:07 am
Wow Nona! Will you post a picture of you in the pose when you do get it?
April 13th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
This looks like a great one!
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Good luck! That is a very difficult pose.