One of my favorite yogis is Kino MacGregor. This lady has been one of the few certified in Ashtanga by Guruji himself, and the strength and motion she has is AMAZING. For me she is a great Ashtangi role model and I feel that I connect with her. You see, just like me, she had no prior gymnastics or dance backgrounds. When I first started yoga my fingers were still 5 inches from the ground when I was in uttanasana (deep forward bend), my spine would hurt so much after many deep side bends and extensions due to my inflexibility and scoliosis -- and, yes, I have scoliosis!
I've been told by my MD that I'm classified as having structural scoliosis because there is a rotational component to my spine (you can tell especially from the front where you can see one clavicle more protruded than the other in addition to an S curve and lumbar kyphosis), but my defects are mild and my symptoms are mainly on the functional scoliosis aspect. My problems progress down the chain -- ergo posteriorly rotated pelvis, leg length discrepancies, you name it. But as a PT student I've been able to manage this somewhat.
Still, I find it really difficult sometimes especially when many of the poses in yoga call for symmetry. It's frustrating to see other yogis progress quicker who undergo the same amount of practice as I do.
But I must always remind myself that the point of yoga isn't about reaching a gateway pose... it's about inner peace and a connection of your body to that peace --- during which every thing else will follow, including the physical aspect. That's why the yoga mantra of svadhyaya, the inner reflection of yourself, is key and important in any yogi's practice.
I've been better with my arm balances and headstand variations, but unfortunately anything with back extensions have been a (very) slow progress for me. I try to be aware of my limitations so I try to teeter totter with my limits, but the last thing I was is a pars fracture. So until my flexibility is better, it'll be a continuous slow progress. Going back to having a gymnastics or dance background, many yogis who progress quickly or are natural with yoga already have a heads up. But does that mean they truly have it down? Most likely no... remember yoga is about in and not the out.
Many yogis say that true daily yoga practice is the best way to progress -- meaning no cross training. But functionally, I feel that cross training is important. I still have to add 30-45 minutes cardio 5-6 times a week, and I try to attend Bodypump a minimum of 2 days a week, in addition to other "boot camp" like classes at least 1 time a week. I feel that cross training helps my strength, but at the same time I lose flexibility. So it's a bit of work balancing everything out.
Overall I feel proud. If you've ever come across my 2013 New Years Resolutions, one of the things I listed down was to master chaturanga, and boy oh boy I've gone beyond that! That to me is a feat all in itself. I hope to inspire others the way I've been inspired by other yogis on social media.
Hope to share a practice with you!
Jacq
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