Develop a yoga body (whatever that means?)

I now go to yoga 4-5 times a week. Added to theater, swing dance, bike, work and my social life, this is TIRING! Is it wrong to wish I could get some sort of grade for my committment? I know yoga is supposed to be it’s own reward….sigh….I’m tired…. I still can’t get up in a handstand all by myself. However, if someone pushes on my ankle, I can “push up” into one, and then lean my feet lightly against a wall for balance. Sometimes the enormity of this goal weighs on me. Also, I’m having wierd body image issues. Wish I was thinner. This goal was not supposed to get mixed up with my vanity, but it has.

I can now hold myself in an L-Shape handstand (this is a beginner hand-stand, and in no way qualifies as the real thing, but was really hard for me until now). I went to yoga almost every day for 2 weeks, and then took 3 days off, and when I returned, my upper back felt a lot stronger and more flexible. I now have a nagging worry that I will lose my momentum. It’s hard to work so hard for such subtle achievements. Nobody notices that my L-shape is better except for me, which is fine, but….it’s sort of like getting a daring new haircut, and not having anybody compliment it. I need to suck it up, and keep working.

...was very technical and helpful: I learned to stop curving my neck so much. Focused on opening chest, not holding head as high as possible.

...needs to be more flexible. I had that revelation last night after a really grueling class. I’m never going to do a handstand unless I have a really strong bendy upper back. Will ask teacher for suggestions at my next class.

This isn’t ALL about looking good. I want to have the freedom of movement that I enjoyed as a child. I want to do a hand stand (actually, I couldn’t do that as a child, but…)

I’m going to class at least 3 times a week, and really enjoying myself. When I get the handstand down, I think I’ll feel like I’m in my yoga body.