Hip opening

This morning I woke up around 8:30am, having approximately ten hours of sleep. My room faces west, so it remains quite dark all day long, save the small window. I didn't want to get out of bed. Lethargic. Heavy. The only thing that motivated me at all was hunger for a decent breakfast. I realized that this lethargy feels the same, no matter where I am in the world. I reflected back on mornings in Portland where I experienced the same feelings in my body and mind upon waking and not wanting to move--the contemplation of staying in bed for most of the day. I very well could have this morning, given that I don't have any agenda to adhere to. However, I told myself that I didn't come all of this way to lay in bed all day--there's always something to do. I told myself that I needed to shower and eat to change my energy immediately, and so I did. 

After an hour, I was out the door and on the way to breakfast, which there was a bit of a wait for. No matter-- the place was slammed and they were short staffed. I decided to be patient and wait for the creamy avocado omelette and bold, fresh coffee that was to come. After feeding myself, I strolled over to the Mojito Garden for a massage by one of the tiniest, sweetest, strongest Thai ladies I've ever met--again, in an effort to find energetic equanimity. The intention for healing was made, and I emerged afterward on my massage cloud ready for the tiny pink cup and saucer filled with warm ginger tea. 

I came back to the guesthouse and decided to not watch movies on my computer, but instead opened up a Yogaglo account and took my first virtual class with goddess Seane Corn. The class was focused on hip opening, which is something that I can always use to process all the tension that has been stored there for as long as I can remember. I haven't been doing much asana since I left Portland three months ago, and truth be told, my body feels less tense because of it. Weird, eh? Just getting into poses like side angle was a real eye-opener for me--I even got into the elusive bind that has been out of reach for awhile due to tight hips and shoulders. For a moment, I felt invincible. 

When you travel (internally or externally), you have to get used to different ways of physically doing things, seeing and thinking. Something as simple as having to squat to go pee serves to change up the mind's activity and create a new pathway for thinking. A new groove in my mind creates an opportunity to store love-affirming Truth about who I am. More room is made for the possibility of holding less tension in my body and mind, and that is directly proportional to my sense of purpose and happiness in this world. Interesting stuff. 

After seven years of practicing yoga, I have learned that practicing and not practicing asana have equal amounts of power and potency. Sometimes, the asana is necessary to make a change on the physical and energetic level. Sometimes, I need a massage to move the energy around and remind myself of my radiance. Sometimes, it's as simple as feeling the weight of an illusion about myself disappear completely. That is why I continue to practice this all-encompassing yoga for the rest of my days, everywhere that I am.