July Intentions

[Chris]

I like the way that a month is such a compact, neat little package of time. It is not so tiny as to seem insignificant, nor so infinite as to seem unattainable. I can imagine myself doing something, consistently following through, for a month. It seems possible. And I've often heard that you can set the foundation of a habit if you can make it through the first month. I like that -- the sense that meaningful change is possible in my life, if only I can stick to my guns for this little package of time.

In my experience, new changes work the best when I just choose one thing to improve and try to focus on just that one thing. After all, once I set that habit, there is always time to work on another. When I try to change everything at once, my efforts are diluted, I become distracted, missteps towards one goal discourage me in all areas. So, for me, my experience has taught me that one thing at a time is best.

So, for July, I have chosen three things.

First, I will be moderate in my eating. This has been a life-long challenge for me. I like to eat. If it is good, I like to eat a lot. This is the habit I must undo. I have tried many different approaches to moderate eating and weight loss over the years. All of them have worked, for a while. But I am not interested in a diet that merely sheds a few pounds so I can look great in my speedo at the pool party next week. I want to finally set the life-habit of dietary moderation. I already know what I need to do. I call it the "rule of one", and it is just so simple (and yet, up to now, so unattainable). The rule is, I can have *anything* I want, anything at all, as long as I only have ONE serving. I don't have to give up anything. I can have ice cream, a burger, chips, veggies, anything at all as long as I stop at ONE serving. Because I am not depriving myself of anything I like, I should be able to sustain this new habit of moderation ... right? I hope so!

Second, I will be attentive to my posture. No slumping! (I just now sat up nice and straight in my computer chair ... I was slumping). I hope this will bring me more connection between my mind and body, more focus on the present, and more openness towards others.

Third, and this one is just for fun, I will learn a little about Ashtanga. Hanging out here at WoYo, it has always seemed to me that I was surrounded by Ashtangis, which was really a little weird because I had no idea what that really meant. I have never been to an Ashtanga class or seen it done. My impressions (some of which are probably clearly wrong) are: Ashtangis are better yogis than me. Ashtangis do things the right way. Ashtangis are disciplined. Ashtangis feel slightly superior to lesser yogis, but tolerate them in an avuncular fashion. Ashtangis are the Roman Catholics of the yoga world ... follow the dogma, do not deviate from the script, and whatever happens, the priest is in charge and will tell you what is right for you. Mysore, shala, and binding are magical words just beyond my ability to comprehend. So, you see, I am a great ball of ignorance and misconception when it comes to Ashtanga.

So, for this month, my home practice will focus on Ashtanga. I got the Richard Freeman DVDs. I watched most of the first one, Introduction to Ashtanga, yesterday, and I'll jump in today. I am hopeful, most of the poses are familiar so far, except the names have been changed to protect the innocent. There is this one pose with hands in prayer position BEHIND the back that is going to be a deal breaker ... Ashtangis: Do I have to be able to do a pose before moving on to the next???