The Yoga Traveller- Richmond, VA
On the road with southern tinged yoga, this week in Richmond, VA. The flight from Washington DC had 18 seats and lasted 30 minutes. Super easy. Except for the tornado warnings just to the south and the gusty winds. You feel a lot of things in a plane that small. I watched the wind nearly blow over a baggage handler and thought, this is going to go badly.
It went badly. It was possible to hear the wind gusting outside. Searching for something to center me in the moment-which was challenging because it was a series of moments I really didn’t like-I thought of pranayama.
In the workshop, we haven’t gotten to the finishing breathing exercises, but I’m guessing we might this Sunday. Looked at a certain way, though, the whole practice is a meditation on breathing, so I have had recent practice. And I had nothing else to occupy my mind but abject fear and motion sickness.
Nostril breathing is said to be soothing, but my cold eliminated it. I settled on simple, four sided breathing . . . Inhale to a count of four. Hold for four. Exhale for a count of four. Hold. Increase count as comfortable.
Here’s what it sounded like in my head: one. Two. Oh my God. Ok, ok, ok, it’s just turbulence, it happens, try again. One. Two. Th-three. Fourfivesixseven, ok, start over. One. Four. Three. Gasp for breath.
Eventually my breathing evened out. The plane didn’t, it muttered and heaved and finally jolted to a stop. We didn’t land as much as we gave up, but at least we were on the runway. And, while I probably managed fewer than five complete cycles, pranayama had calmed me.
Conscious breathing still surprises me. I’m not quite coordinated with movement always, but when I am, it’s powerful stuff, even – especially – under duress off the mat.
And if you’re ever in Richmond, check out Alicia’s Mysore class at Richmond Ashtanga- beautiful space with huge natural light, and props are ok in moderation.
-C
