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go heritage run

Travels

Why Do We Run/Practice Yoga?

November 7, 2017

Over the weekends while everyone is asleep in their cosy beds, a few of us stumble out of bed at 5 am.  To meet and run.  Why do we run?

Before my fitness journey running wasn’t even in the charts for me.  Walking really fast would have me out of breath.  I started with running for 15 minutes on the treadmill and increased my time to 30 minutes.  Eventually I started working on distance.  After a while I quit the gym and took to the streets.

I’m not a great runner.  I don’t have special gear.  In fact, I frequently run in my yoga pants.

When I did a 5km in Srirangapatnam and felt proud of it, my sister did the 21 km in Hyderabad.  Why does my sister run?

I think I run for the same reason I practice yoga.  To do more and to be better.  When I run or practice yoga I know I won’t be better the next minute.  Or even the next day or the day after next.  But I know that soon I will be able to bend just that bit more and run just that bit faster.

We run, or practice yoga or lift weights because we have faith in our ability to be more than what we are now.  We have faith in our ability to do more than what we do now.  There is no upper limit for our endeavours.  We run because we believe in our  infinite potential as human beings.

“The obsession for running is really an obsession with the potential for more and more life.”

Below are a few images from yesterday.  This was our third run with the Go Heritage Run initiative.

 

 

Enquiries Into Yogic Philosophy

Getting My Asanas Back

October 29, 2017

The Lake as the sun comes up. Notice the little boat in the water.

I think just a little bit of effort towards health can ensure that we prevent most ailments.  But what do you do if you get attacked by a virus in those rare moments of low immunity?  I’ve already done a blog on what to do if you have Dengue fever.

My only concern after I started to feel better was my yoga practice.  I spoke to a few friends who had experience with Dengue and realized that it will take me some more time to get my strength back.  Until then I had to work with where I was and do what I could.

So I practiced a lot of patience.  I took it easy and experimented in equal measure and made some progress.  Here’s a snapshot of the week.  I’m writing this after a delicious lunch of rice and kala channa; satisfied with how this week has been for my practice.

I started Tabata workouts on Monday.  I didn’t expect myself to be able to do it, and I didn’t.  I had to take breaks, but I didn’t give up.  I wanted to focus on stretching my lower body so I did the Janu Sirsasana and Paschimottanasana.  The Adhomukha Svanasana had my legs shaking and I decided to stick to the seated postures.  Interesting enough, the Hanumanasana came to me!!!  I took classes on Monday but rested for the rest of the day.

It’s difficult to get out of bed, but this view makes it worth it.

On Tuesday my legs and shoulders ached like never before.  From the Ashtangis and the Kalari practitioners I learned the benefits of massaging sesame oil on achy muscles and creaky joints.  Before I went to sleep I tried to rub the aches away, knowing full well that they would still be there tomorrow.  I tried to do as much Tabata as I could and focused only on seated asanas.  I ended with the Hanumanasana again.  Any kind of inversion was out of the question.

Things started to improve on Wednesday.  I felt stronger and decided to practice a few standing asanas.  I did the Tadasana, Uttanasana, Trikonasana, Parsvakonasana, Virbhadra 2 and felt my energy levels flagging.  I tried the Downward Dog and sure enough, my legs started shaking.  I closed the practice.

However, by Friday I felt markedly stronger.  I did standing poses and the seated ones after Tabata and felt energized instead of drained.  I registered for the Go Heritage Run Srirangapatnam run and decided I would test my stamina over the weekend.

Saturday – did Tabata and headed to the lake to do a 5 km walk.  Legs were a bit shaky, but overall I felt good.  I also felt encouraged to head out for a 5km run at Cubbon Park with a friend.

Sunday(Today) – Tabata is becoming easier and the aches are almost gone.  Did the 5 km with no problem.  Very thrilled and determined to get all my strength, flexibility and asanas back!

Next week is to build strength for the Go Heritage Run and to experiment carefully with handstands.  I’m also focusing on good wholesome meals since I have a tendency to be a bit lax about that.  All in all, a great weak.

Hope you guys are having a great day too!

Waking up early isn’t just about the exercise, it’s about the serenity and beauty that you can see in nature.