I don't know that I was born a pc person. We've had a couple of old macs in the past. But it just turned out that I always seemed to have pcs around. So, I got to know them well enough. I knew the little shortcuts and some better-than-average problem solving techniques. I feel comfortable turning on a pc, knowing that I can figure them out. I understand their language, or at least I understand my own limitations within that language.
I just got a mac. Knowing how confident I am with pcs, I didn't give the conversion much thought. It would be easy. And it was... sort of. We said "hi" to each other and exchanged a few simple courtesies like "where are you from", etc. But once we tried to carry on a deeper conversation, I quickly realized that we weren't understanding each other too well. It's kind of like speaking to someone who speaks your language, only with an accent that makes it nearly impossible to understand them when they get comfortable and begin speaking faster like they do with their friends.
So how does this relate to yoga, and in particular, karandavasana? Well, you see, I have an ipod and for whatever reason, they make it really difficult to transfer your library from one computer to another. Now this is something I've always accepted. But now that I have a new computer and I'm recycling the old one, I feel like this is completely unjust and that their must be a way. Many failed attempts later, I've got it! I figured it out! Useful tool: "How to transfer itunes library to new computer".
This pc to mac transition has been challenging. One thing after another has been like this. But just as the ipod should be able to transfer info from one place to another--a conduit for information, if you will--the lessons from life and yoga seem to reflect the other. I think I am saying that I'm an ipod.
Anyway--
So, just as I'm learning about and facing this new challenge of mac "usership", I am also learning about and facing this new challenge of karandavasana (or new pose) "usership". For example, day one of mac, I couldn't figure out how to connect to the internet, flipped out, and then waited patiently for help. Day one of karandavasana, I couldn't figure out to connect with bandha, breath, drishti, flipped over, and then waited reluctantly for help. I feel like the ability to recognize a limitation, walk away when required, and patiently work toward a solution, are all skills and attributes learned from yoga practice and learning any new skill. I feel like the ability to learn something new, tackle the unknown, and keep an open mind are all being cultivated when learning a new skill (such as using a mac) and from yoga practice.
The point-
Nothing is impossible. It might take time, but there is always a free software program out there that will give you what you need to figure it out to make it work. But first, you kind of have to figure out what doesn't work.
How not to do karandavasana
1. Loose your tristana (bandhas, breathing, drishti)
2. Think
3. Kick like a weakling, weenie
4. Kick like a maniac
5. Give up
6. Cross your legs loosely
7. Stick out your ribs when going down (although this is okay for some people--but this is my list!)
8. Give up
9. Stick out your ribs when coming up
10. Give up
11. Noodle legs
12. Give up
No one was born doing padmasana or any other pose, for that matter, straight out of their mother. No one was born mac or pc. Time, patience, practice, we can all be multiple computer ipods.
