I have been practicing Mysore Ashtanga Yoga regularly (at least 3 days a week) for almost two years now. To my dismay, much as I love this style of yoga, my studio, and my teacher I haven't been able to practice six days a week mostly because of a chronic pain in my left lower hip that radiates painfully down to my knee and ankle.
The conversation with Uta from the other night was also about flexibility, pain and practicing yoga. She suggested that I ask how I could protect my hip and leg while continuing to practice....and so promptly this morning that is exactly what I did.
I offered the question to Michael, my fellow yogin, who happened to be assisting today. He said that I needed to engage and lengthen the muscles around my core while keeping a steady breadth. I was amazed why I hadn't come to this simple awareness earlier in my practice. Thank you Uta!
Leaving class, I shared the story with my teacher who happened to be outside the practice studio. John echoed Michael's advise and added that I needed to practice daily to "cultivate" mula bandh.
And therein something else clicked for me. My yoga practice is a metaphor for my life....I am very open and flexible and that allows me to move through the primary series with relative ease. However, I am not firm and strong in my core which is why I pinched a nerve and carry pain. The key is to be open, flexible and strong.......
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