During today’s pranayama practice, I think I experienced the feeling of ‘lightness’ or weightlessness that Jessica had mentioned to us before. Before the YTT, I never imagined that I would’ve been able to sit still for a pranayama practice for 20 minutes, let alone half an hour. And yet here I am! Though there are days where my mind is completely distracted and my body is screaming at me to move. But most days I think I would be able to meditate for 20 minutes comfortably. I never thought I would say this but sometimes, I even look forward to it.
I’ve reduced or sometimes even just foregone the kapal bhati and bhastrika practice, because I feel like it affected my moods during the first few weeks that we did it. Jessica explained that it might make some people more hot-tempered. I’m not sure if I was imagining it but I did feel like I was becoming quick to anger, so I stopped doing it. I stick to ujayyi and nadi shodhana instead.
After using mindfulness apps like headspace and not being able to sustain the practice, I used to think that maybe meditation was not for me. After a few weeks of regular meditation on the YTT weekends I feel like I’ve learned so much more, not only about different breathing techniques but also about myself, and I hope I’d be able to continue the practice on my own after the YTT ends.
Nia
RYT200 Aug’20 Weekend
