Done. Completed. Wow! 108 salutations attempted and completed. I knew that this was something that I wanted to do after the first time I heard about it in Phoenix. One of the instructors had live music to accompany the greeting of the solstice. I wanted to attend but work always stood in the way.
This year, I decided to do it at my house. I had increments of 10 mapped out near me to keep on my target. I knew that it would be challenging to remember where I was in the sequence without some assistance. My mind tends to wander and I lose track of were I am.
I understand more and more the importance of being present while performing this task. The first ten felt good and I began to get in a rhythm. Around forty, I started confusing which number I was on. I tried to think of how many more and that also confused me. I realized that I needed to stay on the number I was doing to make it easier. Almost meditate on the number and the breathing. I kept thinking I would want to stop jumping forward once I felt tired. Then, I was determined to finish all of them by jumping forward. Around 81, I think, I completed the best jump forward and time-wise, I was doing well. I didn't want to lose my momentum for fear of wanting to stop. Actually needing to stop.
94, I started slowing down. My arms were wobbly and I could tell I was tired. I could tell that I was ready to stop. But then, I thought, there is only fourteen more. I can do this. I had music playing the entire time which helped and hindered a few times. I didn't like a particular song and so I would struggle to continue through it. Breathing helped and knowing that I set out to do it and I did. I had positive thoughts propelling me through the 40's, 50's 60's....then I turned on myself in the 90's. I could tell that I wanted to stop and the negative thoughts creeped in. I managed to finish in spite of my negative thoughts.
My arms will be mush for a few days, I think. I am going to a Barre class in a bit and that should be interesting. I don't know how much I am going to want to do free weights of push-ups if they are required. Maybe just core strengthening or cardio. That would be a nice change.
The salutations were challenging and I believe in a classroom setting, the energy would be incredible. I had candles lit and felt some radiating energy at the end. I fell into the corpse pose and didn't want to get up. I could have remained in the position for an hour due to the exhaustion. I know that I should rest and chose to eat some yogurt to help the recovery process begin. I don't want to be too annoying with this food thing. I don't want to create an obsessive behavior over what I am and am not eating. Small changes will help. That is what I want to focus on.
It feels great to be making this decision on my own. Instead of traveling, nonstop, I will remain in town to build a better base for my health. Consistency is key. Of course, in August I will head to Washington State. Maybe another trip to Santa Fe. Or I always try to visit AZ in July. Maybe I could push it back a few months. I love the shopping, yoga and friend factor.
All these things I thought about after the salutations. That and I could be doing 50 a week in my practice. I wonder how quickly I could do the 108 salutations if I had a base of 50 salutations or more a week. Maybe for the winter I will address that issue.
Enjoy your day! I am off to get some coffee before Barre class.
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