Via: Mysore SF's Magnolia Zuniga

Q.

Since I’ve started practicing intermediate series I’ve had trouble falling asleep. I also wake up in the middle of the night and have a hard time falling back to sleep. Do you have any tips?

A:

The intermediate series is a stimulating and dynamic practice. It is not uncommon for students to experience many changes in their lives as the postures begin to weave themselves into the subtle body. Before we go into this, let’s look at the primary series and go from there... continue reading at Mysore SF

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Mr. Sandman

I woke up, looked around, realized I was lying on my mat, hoped that I hadn't said anything out loud, and remembered that old saying about savasana. I suppose technically, it is "resting", but still, it isn't "sleeping". If you are falling asleep during this time of repose, you need to get more sleep.

I don't know how other people do it. Whoopi Goldberg, on the View yesterday, mentioned how she gets something like 4 hours of sleep per night. And with yoga, aren't you supposed to slowly be able to whittle your way to 3 hours?

I wonder what time Sharath goes to bed. If I remember correctly, I heard somewhere that he and Guruji would get up at 2 and have coffee and practice before teaching. I wonder what the opinion is on naps? Is there a siesta in India? I know I certainly got into the habit, waking up at 3:30am at all. But for some reason, it just doesn't fit into my lifestyle on the eastern seaboard.

I am certainly looking forward to the extra hour tomorrow morning and a primary practice. My body feels so tired right now. Although, I've noticed that practice has been opening up in some interesting ways ever since my last practice audit. I noticed it the most in kapotasana. My torso felt so much more round than before.

I think I'm noticing that when I am tired, I eat more because somewhere I am convinced that it gives me the energy I need to get through the day. Why can't I just convince myself to take a nap?