Emotional ashtanga

[CJ]

My question is: "Is Ashtanga the best practice to do when you are upset in any way?"

I find it very hard to practice it at those times and actually feel more like going for a nice meditative run instead. I also find it easier to practice a slower kind of yoga with no set sequence, giving myself the freedom to just be.

What do you do?

[Patrick]

Often I can't do an Ashtanga practice when I'm emotionally tumbled to-and-fro, but sometimes sun salutations give me some focus, and sometimes some backbending will crack open what's stuck emotionally (when that's the case). I've busted into silly uncontrollable laughter mid-Primary, from processing emotional stuff, at times, but most of the time when I'm deep in emotional upset, I won't practice or just can't muster the desire to do it.

When I've made an honest effort to practice during intense emotional business, I take it slow and I really try hard to modify poses, which means, in a way, reinventing the practice, not just going on auto-pilot. For example, I drop the knee in the standing twist. I don't worry about head-to-floor in the Prasaritas (the standing wide angles). I don't worry about jumping back, necessarily. If it comes, so be it. I also don't worry about making it "through" the sequence. Those are the modifications I'll usually make, and then I practice as much or little as happens. It takes some determination to get on the mat on the big emotional days, but practice can still be rewarding; if you know where your emotional "containers" are, physically, you might take it easier with them in ashtanga practice under emotional strain (mine, for example, are in my outer hips: twists beware!). Good luck!
Patrick

[Parthena]

Great question.
Our family has been a part of this economic downturn our country has been experiencing and it hasn't been easy lately.
I have a daily routine with ashtanga and this is what's helping me--(much like what Patrick is saying!)
I just take it more slowly, focusing on the breath, and try not to think about the end of the practice (like: "I've got to get there!", which is the antithesis of yoga anyway since the purpose is to stay in the moment).
So I've been doing however many surya namaskaras as I want and all of standing. Then I've been choosing whatever poses make me feel the best before going into the finishing postures.
The purpose of hard times, I think, is to test out our core. It's hard to remain stable inside when the world is tumbling about and unpredictable on the outside and I know for me Yoga REALLY helps. I always feel better after my ashtanga practice and haven't regretted a practice session yet.
Moving the body releases tension which is stuck energy, so if you're up for a run, go for that too.
And don't be hard on yourself for not practicing either. I think it's all okay!
Good luck.
God bless and Namaste'!

[CJ]

Thank you both!!

cj x

[Globie]

I suppose it depends on the kind of upset. Ashtanga is very focussing and for me can help to take me mentally to a better place.

[Yogamum]

I agree with Globie -- ashtanga is great if I'm annoyed or angry because I seem to "burn off" the negative energy. But if I am very sad, sometimes the silence and inward focus of the practice is too much for me to handle.

[Nairam]

Oh my!!!! CJ, my practice *SUCKS* when I'm emotionally upset. I just strugge focusing, going through the sequences, breathing. On the other hand, days in which I am content and happy also reflect on a smooth, strong, flexible practice. Quite an amazing mirror of my internal state.