Out Of Action

Happened during futsal. A seemingly harmless shot at goal, I simply went to punch the ball out. Strangely, I felt my back seized up. Even more distressing, I could not straighten up and have to limped off like an old man. I didn't even have a fall to justify my exit.

It could be three things :
1) I've been concentrating too much on flexibility and neglected strength training;
2) sign of age;
3) these things happen.

Funnily, I could bend forward; but straightening up was very gingerly. That night was restless with attempts at all kinds of sleeping positions; but to no avail. The next day the physiotherapist noted one of the facet of the spine was blocked, and promptly manipulated it back. What a relief! That night I could finally straighten out my legs on the bed and was just getting comfortable when the wife decided to talk about her woes at work. Woe is me - I remembered reflecting then.

Of course, no yoga since then. Am thinking of cutting back on the practice and spending some time at the gym. Not ready to cut out the futsal yet. But perhaps this latest mishap is telling me I'm getting on. Well, the body may be getting on but the mind is too stubborn to acknowledge that.

Stand By Me

Something to share this Easter Sunday. http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2539741

Futsal Last Night

Went to my weekly game of futsal last night. There were 17 of us, so some of us would wait for one of the teams of fives to be eliminated before going in. It was towards the end of our allotted 2 hour session when another team was supposed to go in again. I was waiting to see how many players would enter the pitch when one of the players called out in my direction, "Vanessa, get in!". I looked up and a few others joined in, looking at me and calling in unison "Vanessa, your turn". Puzzled, I got up and muttered to my buddy next to me - "Why are they calling me Vanessa?". I got an all too loud reply, "They're calling you Van der Sar. Go and clean your ears, old man!". Nice buddies I have in futsal. I guess they are calling me Van der Sar because I look a bit like the goalkeeper at Manchester United. Not sure if it's a compliment but it beats being called Vanessa. For a painful moment, I thought I had been given a new nickname for playing like a girl. I was ready to blame the yoga - all this ahimsa nonsense!

Recently my wife noticed my spending a lot of time reading yoga blogs. The other day, she gave me a funny look when she caught me watching back to back episodes of "The Biggest Loser". If I'm not careful, she might start calling me Vanessa.

Death Wish

Had a close shave on the way to work this morning. This motorcyclist suddenly appeared in my front of my car trying get from the left lane to the far right. Luckily, traffic was congested so cars were not travelling fast. Managed to brake in time; but this guy didn't appear to realise that there may be a car on the next lane. Helpless, I watched him bumped into the car on my right; and somehow he managed to get to the pavement on the right hand side of the car! He seemed fine, but I'm guessing he'll be facing some verbal abuse from the driver of the car. So, the adage for today was - better late than never.

Practice today was great. Marichyasana D is getting there. Nowhere near binding by myself but I feel I'm getting deeper. Lately, during headstand, I'm starting to get a feel for Urdhva Dandasana. Somehow, today I could not seem to get the hips flexion to get the legs down. After a couple of seconds trying, I decided to give Urdhva Dandasana a miss. Better slow to advance in asana than be injured.