The Cyber Shala

So I'm trying to get back on the mat after more than a month of hibernation. I had a consistent, daily self-practise underway which I embarked on not very long ago but was cut short by the "incident". I am determined but dread having to start all over again. Back to zero. In my case that means having to remember the primary series sequence, re-learn the poses and struggle at becoming supple once more for Mary D, Supta Kurmasana, Urdhva Dhanurasana and even the forward bend where I expect to feel the most resistance. I'll also need to see how far I can push myself because of persistent pain on my left fibula (yep, I think that's where it's emanating from). If I manage to get back behind the wheel, then I'll be back on the mat at the shala this weekend. Inshallah as my teacher says.

I'm finding encouragement from fellow practitioners at the Cyber Shala. Bloggers from around the world who post regularly about their practise and progress like Grimmly who is completely self-taught and began his blog in 2007 to document his development with the jump back-through. Today he effortlessly floats through vinyasas and is now practising the third series and some advanced asanas. His How do you maintain your motivation for practice? post has really helped in putting the spark back in my practise. Also read his clever How many ways to practice Ashtanga? post.

I also enjoy The Journey of my Practice owned by a blogger who has declared 2009 "The Year of the Dropback". For every proper backbend, Globie (who like Grimmly is British) rewards himself with a big, white chocolate button which has been effective for him but I think could be fattening depending on how long it takes him to ace the dropback. Then there's Life...on and off the mat about Mel from the US who began practising Ashtanga in March but whose home practise has recently been derailed by renovation work at her flat. I can also relate to Inhale , a Westerner living in South Korea, whose mind has been chipping away at his practice. External pressures like real estate problems and an ill parent along with his own perceived inadequacies as a practitioner have been weighing him down. Mitahara and other fellow Filipino yoga bloggers round up my daily dose of yoga reading. Although I haven't met most of them, I feel that I'm in good company with these Ashtangi bloggers. I appreciate how they share practise tips, advice as well as glimpses into their personal lives. Hugely inspiring and motivating. Om.

Fresh Start

Enough wallowing in fear already.

My close call along C5 seems insignificant compared to how fellow Filipinos have been traumatised by Ketsana and Parma which inundated the country's capital and farmlands and decimated the homes and properties of thousands. The two powerful typhoons also dumped record-high rains that left in its wake hundreds who died from drowning and in mudslides.

This past month I watched these terrible events happen on TV from home where I remained safe, warm and dry. I feel fortunate to have been spared yet a little ashamed to have been inconvenienced by just a brief power interruption throughout the storms. For this I thank the high heavens eternally.

Alongside Rustan's Fresh supermarket, where I occasionally go for grocery.

Underground pedestrian walkway in the premier city of Makati.

My son's favourite mall and condominiums in Eastwood.

A ray of light this dark month: rescuers and civilians who risked their lives to save the lives of others. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost everything and who must overcome so much suffering in order rebuild for a fresh start. Om.

Thanks to Manuel Quezon III for the images.