The half pigeon pose. Do you like it or does transition into this pose spark a sudden urge to leave the studio for a water break?
During the first few months I was practicing hot yoga, this position was trying, both mentally and physically. After holding the position for only a few seconds, my limbs would tingle to numbing. This sensation worried me. When I asked the teacher about it, she simply shrugged off the reaction and claimed "that sometimes happens...one day it won't."
I wondered when that day would arrive. I cringed at the mention of the position. Frankly, that anxiety did nothing to help ease my hips.
A couple of years later, my joints are more open to the pose. Now, I actually look forward to half pigeon, both for the rest and stretch it offers as well as the comfort of knowing that if I've arrived there, I'm soon to be in constructive rest pose.
In addition to benefit of regular practice, what also has helped is working through the mental side of the pose through imagery. Sometimes I envision my hip joint held tight with shoelaces and I slowly loosen the laces until my hip feels comfortably open.
Tonight, I opted to travel elsewhere to distract my mind from the initial tension of the pose. I imagined a familiar beach. Strolled along its shore. Picked up shells. Caressed the water. Felt the sun's warmth on my fingertips. The calm of familiarity allowed me to carelessly visit these memories without minimal thought.
When we switched to the other side, I tested myself with a distant memory of a shore I'd need to concentrate on a bit more. It's been a couple of years since I've visited and focusing on remembering trips to that beach with my family also rested my mind. I recalled the hot, steamy clam cakes sprinkled with salt (hum, maybe hunger was sneaking in?), the last stroll we took with an aged family dog, the skip days my mama allowed us once a summer to this beach.
Oftentimes, yoga instructors mention the stress of this pose and how we may fidget or emotions may surface---both have been true for me. Yet, I'm finding that distracting myself with positive and detailed imagery helps. What do you do to calm yourself during a trying pose?
I must admit, it has been a few years since I have done yoga on a regular basis, but when I did, I had a teacher who would tell me to breather deeply and envision the breath reaching my tight muscles and joints and making them more open to whatever pose we were working on. It worked, but I think I will try the shoelaces the next time I make it to a class, I love that imagery!
ReplyDeleteSo many blogs, so little time. I found yours through Lucy's Kitchen Notebook! I've only done half-pigeon once. Imagery isn't yet part of my practice... I'm still laughing, though, as I work to fold myslf into odd shapes.
ReplyDeleteApples and Butter,
ReplyDeleteMany of my teachers also mention breathing into the muscles. I guess that's what yoga is all about, huh? I hope you try the imagery and that it works for you too.
Janet,
I adore Lucy's Kitchen Notebook! Thanks for coming by here during your online travels. :) There are always moments in classes when laughter may sneak out. Some of my instructors encourage it so we won't be so serious and tough on ourselves.