Goose poop.
Kind of a theme going on – both sides of this blog.
I live in a stunningly beautiful corner of the world and yet I have never practiced outdoors here until a few days back. There are a couple of reasons for that. It’s not necessarily warm enough at that time in the morning and outdoor practice is difficult for standing asanas for me as my balance requires a fixed point to focus on. In the basement I can focus on a wall or point on the ceiling – can’t do that outdoors.
I have practiced outdoors before but it’s usually on vacation in some hot climate. I actually love to practice outdoors when on vacation. Don’t know why I did not think about doing it here before now – maybe it’s ‘cause I always had somewhere to go.
Home practice is at least a process of discovery and I have learned that I’m easier on myself, I sometimes skip practice, I have slept in, I skip some asanas, it’s a kinder gentler practice – ha. But I’m getting sick of it.
The other day I slept in which seems to be happening more often these days, and by the time I got around to practicing the temperature outside was already 21 degrees celsius on my deck. I have a deck on the east side of my house and it gets hot there as the sun comes up and beats down. So I lay down my mat and started practice and it felt great. The fresh air, the warm rising sun. I stumbled a few times in the standing asanas but when I got seated all was good. This is actually refreshing and reinvigorating I’m really enjoying this and I feel stronger.
I feel stronger because of the fresh air and it’s not as hot as a normal practice. I know that heat affects me and causes me to deteriorate faster. And now I’m beginning to understand how much. Heat affects people with MS but so far I’ve been able to handle it. But I’ve noticed I’m changing to be less heat tolerant.
So knowing what I now know I’m going to venture out and look for a place to practice in a public park. We are experiencing warmer weather here which is more inviting and comfortable for practice outdoors. It would be nice if someone would join me in fact it would be awesome. In the past five months I’ve only practiced once with other people and that was a led half primary. It’s informing me as to how much I miss practicing with others.
So I started scoping out places to practice outdoors preferably by the water. I found a little park next to a marina which is depicted in the photo above. It took me a while to find a spot where I could place my mat as the place is covered with geese poop. I started practice and as I was starting Suryanamaskura B I noticed a father goose giving me the evil eye – just staring me down. But I kept on going with breath and on the way up I noticed three baby geese and a mother waddle past the front of my mat – all the while father goose staring me down. It was kinda neat as I was doing yoga I was presenting a non-confrontational vibe towards the geese. So I’m slowly audibly breathing, doing my practice, moving slowly, and being just about as zen as the moment prescribed. I was one with nature – ha – maybe a little tongue in cheek. However it was a very peaceful practice which has been missing for a while.
I locate myself partially under a chestnut tree as to give me some reference when looking up. There is a road about 50 meters behind me but at this time in the morning it’s just walkers, runners, and cyclists with occasional faint chatter – it’s quite peaceful even when a dog starts to chase the geese – he’s just playin’.
I should have done this earlier as it’s bringing me back to where I want to be – almost…. I’m just missing some company. Socially distanced yoga flash-mob anyone……
Post Script:
The next day I practiced on my deck and I realized that it’s hard – duh. I have a mat but my deck is a hard surface and yesterday I practiced on the grass and I’m thinking that felt good. I felt more grounded and part of my surroundings. I realized that it’s the first time I’ve practiced on grass. It’s firm but soft and it’s forgiving.
When I practice inside four walls I can use to my advantage as I need them for balance and for support in certain asanas. For example Sirsasana (headstand); I can use the wall to prevent me from falling backwards. For the longest time I did Sirsasana without the wall and occasionally fell. Balance is extra difficult upside down and the last time I fell was a doozy, so I went to using the wall. But I’ve realized that on grass it does not matter if I fall – it won’t hurt (doozy). Except that if I fell at this park; I’d fall into goose poop – gotta find a better landing pad. See you out there – be safe.
On a serious note:
I realize the dichotomy of this and other current events / stories in my life. There is so much hardship and pain at this time and I’m telling stories of an idyllic place where I live practicing yoga apparently without concern or awareness of what is going on in this world. Nothing could be further from the truth.
I don’t believe any of us is insulated from what’s happening at this time…..it’s just that I have always been a glass half full person. And I’d much rather display that side of me.
“Always look on the bright side of life…”
Eric Idle, Life of Brian.