I am
chronically sore from practice.
For some time I've questioned whether or not
this should be the case. In the end, I accept the soreness as a consequence of
the type (vinyasa/Ashtanga), duration (75-90 minutes), and frequency (5.5 days a week) of
my physical practice.
When I say soreness, it's neither joint pain nor sharp pain, but rather a chronic ache in the muscle belly (bellies), as I have always felt following exertion. Indeed, I find that this soreness doesn't seem to limit my actual practice, but it's certainly discomforting during the rest of the day I'm not practicing. What I initially failed to recognize is that for decades, when I used to bike 100 miles a week or run 15 miles a week, I somehow accepted chronic quadriceps soreness without too much question, but because my yoga practice today hits all body parts (all encompassing), it's not just my quads that are sore but often many muscles simultaneously, and for a time I questioned if this was acceptable. I questioned it.
When I say soreness, it's neither joint pain nor sharp pain, but rather a chronic ache in the muscle belly (bellies), as I have always felt following exertion. Indeed, I find that this soreness doesn't seem to limit my actual practice, but it's certainly discomforting during the rest of the day I'm not practicing. What I initially failed to recognize is that for decades, when I used to bike 100 miles a week or run 15 miles a week, I somehow accepted chronic quadriceps soreness without too much question, but because my yoga practice today hits all body parts (all encompassing), it's not just my quads that are sore but often many muscles simultaneously, and for a time I questioned if this was acceptable. I questioned it.
Questioning. Like when I walk down my stairway at 6:30 in the morning and I can barely manage even while holding the handrail, I ask "What the fuck? In three hours I'll be holding myself up on one leg in Vira III for 45 seconds but right now I can't walk down 13 steps?" This is my age speaking; my forty five years on this rock is most certainly a factor here, too.
I do take days off and my practice is varied, in that on any given day it could be Ashtanga or a vinyasa flow such that I don't think the soreness is related to continuous repetition of the same sequence. And I'll feel it pretty much anywhere I happened to work it earlier -- primarily the quads, but often the hamstrings or pectorals or lower back if I've worked the backbends hard.
To the extent that I find joy in my practice, I also find acceptance in the soreness related to that practice. This concept speaks to me. My love of yoga includes accepting this condition, to the extent that I find it serves me. I see this as qualitatively different from pain. When I do experience pain, I back off. However, as a new student of yogic philosophy I have read where "tapas," literally heat, but taken more broadly as the acceptance of such uncomfortability (sic) that perhaps might lead to purification, can be a catalyst for growth. I have begun to accept the uncomfortable feeling associated with intense stretching while in asana in the same way I've accepted the chronic post-practice soreness associated with a vigorous and frequent practice -- in that I am trying not to necessarily run from it, but rather accept it within the framework of a safe yoga practice. I am trying to stay with it. It most certainly isn't easy for this new yogi but it does seem to get easier with time.
There are a few things I'm working on to combat this chronic condition. One - focusing on breath. I believe that this might be the primary key to solving this. I shall take more efforts to improve this component. Two -- awareness of how I'm feeling during asana after particular foods and beverages -- too much coffee? Mango skins? Oatmeal? Are any of these any worse or better for my direct practice, and can I notice the difference afterwards?
I do take days off and my practice is varied, in that on any given day it could be Ashtanga or a vinyasa flow such that I don't think the soreness is related to continuous repetition of the same sequence. And I'll feel it pretty much anywhere I happened to work it earlier -- primarily the quads, but often the hamstrings or pectorals or lower back if I've worked the backbends hard.
To the extent that I find joy in my practice, I also find acceptance in the soreness related to that practice. This concept speaks to me. My love of yoga includes accepting this condition, to the extent that I find it serves me. I see this as qualitatively different from pain. When I do experience pain, I back off. However, as a new student of yogic philosophy I have read where "tapas," literally heat, but taken more broadly as the acceptance of such uncomfortability (sic) that perhaps might lead to purification, can be a catalyst for growth. I have begun to accept the uncomfortable feeling associated with intense stretching while in asana in the same way I've accepted the chronic post-practice soreness associated with a vigorous and frequent practice -- in that I am trying not to necessarily run from it, but rather accept it within the framework of a safe yoga practice. I am trying to stay with it. It most certainly isn't easy for this new yogi but it does seem to get easier with time.
There are a few things I'm working on to combat this chronic condition. One - focusing on breath. I believe that this might be the primary key to solving this. I shall take more efforts to improve this component. Two -- awareness of how I'm feeling during asana after particular foods and beverages -- too much coffee? Mango skins? Oatmeal? Are any of these any worse or better for my direct practice, and can I notice the difference afterwards?
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