Happy day - the weather man was oh-so-wrong. After digging up numerous pampas grasses, transplanting numerous pampas grasses, spreading multiple stinky bags of fertilizer, and mowing several yards, (good lord I am tired!) it was riding time.
I did an experiment today. I practiced ujjayi breathing for my entire warm-up. Ujjayi translates to "loud" in sanskrit, and is sometimes called the "ocean breath". Basically you control the flow of breath across the back of your throat, while using your diaphram and filling your lungs top to bottom.
I maintained the breathing meditation way longer than I have ever done in a yoga class. I breathed in rhythm with Val's movement and he l-o-v-e-d it. He was snorting and blowing from the get-go. My seat was super relaxed. No geography issues and minimal sticky turns. Way funner than our last ride.
I can't tell you why this is for sure, but sadly, I have neglected my yoga practice, pretty much since Val arrived. The only class available conflicts with my horse feeding / dog walking schedule. And I have not made time or devoted energy to create a practice at home. There are really no excuses - and I'm not making any. Just wondering out loud why, and hoping that fessing up here on my blog will start the ball rolling. I am a much better rider when I practice yoga. I am peaceful, patient, calmer, fitter and happier. I need yoga. (Val sez - you ain't kidding!) :)
Calm, Forward, Straight
