Twist and Cry

Yoga class last night was focused on twists - mostly standing twists (which are also backbends to a degree) and basic twists to work on fundamental alignment. Which can make for a very difficult, or at least a demanding, practice.

80% of the way through the class, we took a break from the twists to practice full-arm balance, headstand and shoulderstand. Of course, these are also very fundamental and demanding in their own way!

We then finished the class with Marichyasana III (forgive the spelling!), which is a very deep seated twist with a clasp; it is difficult and requires a good warmup of the shoulders, side waist, chest, hips, and legs, all of which we had achieved by that point. I was able to complete the clasp on both sides, which was a very rewarding experience, though I felt quite short of breath from the way the pose stretched and positioned my chest. Obviously, I need to perform this pose a great deal more so that I can find comfort in the discomfort.

But to get to the point of this post: we set up for a supported savasana (corpse pose), and before we had been in the pose for a minute, I was quietly sobbing hard! I was actually shaking on my mat and blankets and had to work quite hard to control my emotions.

I would like to believe that this is the effect that deep twists combined with gentle backbends can have on a yogi, rather than making some sort of comment about what an emotional twit I am, and so I will go on believing that "it's not me -it's the yoga!"

Namaste.