Why Ashtanga Is The Coolest Thing Ever.

A few months ago I was stressing. I had hit a wall: I've been working toward a goal for my entire life, and have finally arrived at said goal. I had nothing to study for in the evenings. My work days actually ended at 4:30 and I wasn't expected or required to stay late. I found myself sitting around and ruminating about whether I would be promoted. I looked for volunteer opportunities. I looked for social groups and community activities. Then I decided that my strategy was all wrong. Rather than filling my life with meaningful and meaningless crap, I needed to slow my mind and body down and work on being more present-focused.

My college years, and some of my grad school years, are a blur. I finished both college & grad school (4+ year programs) in 3.5 years. I worked to keep my debt down and I volunteered to make myself more attractive to future employers. It was all great, but frantic.

So I signed myself up for Ashtanga yoga. I did it to supplement a running schedule initially--Kat and I had planned for a few races (5k, 8k) in the Spring and I wanted to be strong, more flexible, and maybe...just maybe...a little calmer.

Also, I wanted to do this:
Or maybe even this:
Kat had invited me to join she and her husband in Kauai again this summer, so I was also thinking of how amazing it would be to pull out some sweet moves on the beach. In my mind, it looked like this:

I went to my first class very ready to bust a move. We did this:
I remembered that I had already paid my $150 for this intro class, so I hid my disappointment at having "only" learned vinyasa breathing on day 1, and continued to come week after week. Pretty soon I could jump into plank. I felt my core getting a little stronger. Pat started telling me that I was getting "yoga belly." My work clothes were more comfortable. Best of all, I felt a little calmer. I was excited to go to class. I paid good money for a sweet yoga mat. I signed up for unlimited classes for the next 2 months. By the end of intro, I could do this:
And thankful for a back that is bendy in both directions, I also did this with some ease:
I actually looked forward to finishing series of our practice, because the stretchy inversions feel just dang nice. This is similar to the last one, and also a favorite:
So I have developed some awareness of my body, and some patience for what it can (and can't) do. I have accepted that many people take anywhere from 2-5 years to get through Ashtanga Primary Series 1. I have accepted that it might take me more time than that to do the final move in Primary Series, in which you "uproot the lotus."
I can't even get my legs into lotus yet, much yet uproot my entire rear end. This might take a while. But I'm willing to keep going and see how far I get. I recognize that I've found a new goal that borders on obsession, and this has at times been my "problem." But this is a goal that can also serve as the "solution." When I come home from my yoga shala I feel rejuvinated. And that is why Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is the coolest thing ever.