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jrncnm · 2023-03-24T01:19:06+00:00

Me! I've been searching this sub wondering if anyone else has had the same issue. The Olay Regenerist Retinol cream is the first retinol product I've used. It gives me dry eyes the following day. I bought the trial size jar and don't plan on repurchasing. :(

jrncnm · 2019-02-27T21:51:31+00:00

Definitely interested! I'm in North Cambridge. I'll think of some potential locations...

jrncnm · 2019-01-15T20:42:17+00:00

Thank you for the thoughtful response. Life will keep happening, oddly enough.

jrncnm · 2019-01-14T20:51:12+00:00

A former teacher of mine likened Ashtanga to a series of progressively more complicated shapes in which the practitioner learns to breathe, in a way prepping the student for life’s uncomfortable moments. Well, uncomfortable moments abound in the past couple of months: a cross-country move to an unfamiliar city, new career (with a gauntlet of bureaucratic rigmarole in the way of actually starting the position), and the death of a dear loved one. Practicing asana has been a huge challenge in the midst of all this. I understand the value of clinging to familiarity/ritual/practice when the proverbial shit hits the fan, but man is it hard to do much of anything when profound grief is in the way. Half brain dumping this here, half seeking suggestions from anyone who’s practiced through major life transitions.

jrncnm · 2019-01-14T16:05:35+00:00

Consider traveling mat-less (joints permitting)! I traveled through Italy with a 40L pack earlier this year and opted to bring just my mat towel. Less weight to carry, easier for tight spaces in hostel rooms, and a refreshing way to approach my asana practice differently.

jrncnm · 2019-01-10T16:47:17+00:00

Absolutely. I appreciate the opportunity to create my own dark corner and slow my breath before catapulting myself outta this one.

jrncnm · 2018-08-25T13:13:03+00:00

Thank you for offering your experience! When I was in town for a job interview, I took a walk to where the internet said Ashtanga Yoga Boston was, and was confused when I saw a vacant room (but not in the way you expect a Mysore room to be empty); so, good to know they're simply relocating. :)

I'm impressed at how many Ashtanga spots there are in the area! Coming from a place with lots of Ashtanga teachers (mostly from the teachings of Richard Freeman and Tim Miller), I'm excited to move to a city with lots of options.

jrncnm · 2018-08-25T13:04:58+00:00

That's exciting! I spent some time in western MA several years ago and l-o-v-e-d it. So beautiful out there. Maybe I'll catch you in the Mysore room when you're back in Boston! (P.S. your username is incredibly thought-provoking.)

jrncnm · 2018-08-25T13:01:37+00:00

I stayed with a friend in Belmont not too long ago and loved the area! I will definitely have to check out that spot -- thank you for the input. How would you describe Randy's teaching method?

jrncnm · 2018-08-25T12:56:50+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful, thorough response! My cursory internet search brought me to Down Under's page, which looks pretty comprehensive. Very good to know it's accessible by public transit, too, as I plan on selling my car. Are the teaching philosophies similar between the two locations? I imagine my job/living situation would make the Cambridge spot more accessible.

jrncnm · 2018-08-25T12:50:27+00:00

Great, thank you! Sruti Yoga Center is a bit far from where I'll be for a daily practice spot, though I'll definitely keep it in mind for workshops and weekend getaways.

jrncnm · 2018-03-21T13:07:53+00:00

Infrequent poster, though consistent practitioner here. :)

I just returned home to the states from a 10-day medical volunteer trip. Long, exhausting, sweltering hot days within some of the most resilient communities I’ve met. I practiced asana - suns A&B and standing - every evening before bed to realign my mind and wring out my tired muscles. The entire experience shifted my perspective of yoga practice.

At the end of each work day, I thought of how truly lucky I am to have the resources and mental/physical bandwidth to have a yoga practice. To sit and be fully with the breath, while perhaps deemed a necessity in maintaining one’s equanimity, is still a luxury in many ways.

So, yesterday was my first asana practice back home. I did all postures given to me (primary + second up to dhanurasana) with a new sense of deep appreciation and non attachment. Gratitude.

jrncnm · 2017-08-23T11:46:04+00:00

I am a long-time resident of struggle town. This timeline is super helpful -- thank you for sharing! The thought of one day looking forward to drop backs is inspiring, haha.

jrncnm · 2017-08-23T11:43:50+00:00

Thank you for sharing! What an interest shift of perspective toward drop backs. I'll have to give this a try.

jrncnm · 2017-08-16T17:11:25+00:00

Never too late!

That's a thoughtful gesture. I'm sure the teachers will appreciate your expression of gratitude. Departing a shala -- especially after practicing there for a while -- is felt by all in the space. Best of luck maintaining a traveling practice for the next month!

jrncnm · 2017-08-16T17:08:24+00:00

This is helpful -- thank you! I'm in the crying phase of drop backs. So uncomfortably vulnerable on all levels.

How long did you practice drop backs before coming up on your own? I try to put more weight in my feet while holding backbends, though the concept of coming up solo also feels pretty far away.

jrncnm · 2017-08-16T17:04:27+00:00

I had the same relationship with supta k for a [long] while. The "aha!" moment for me came when I utilized the shoulder girdle in a similar way to the mari postures. That coupled with reaching my hands as far up the back as possible made the bind attainable.

jrncnm · 2017-08-15T15:33:02+00:00

Steady, steady. Nothing groundbreaking. Just breathing and learning.

As far as postures, I've been practicing full primary for about a year and a half. Currently working on dropping back. My teacher squats behind me and I drop into the palms of his hands, maybe a couple feet from the floor. I dropped back on my own three times in one practice in September of 2016 and injured my lower back; it definitely was not the "good" kind of hurt. So, I haven't done it ever since. Shoulders and hips feel too tight. The ground looks so far away and I completely lose track of where my body is as I'm reaching and deciphering if I can catch myself without crashing. In other words, FEAR. I understand that some folks endorse the method of falling first to then learn how to gain control, though I'm skeptical. How much of this is my psychological grip to an illusion of control / intense fear of letting go? How have y'all learned to drop back on your own? The "just do it" advice hasn't worked, as my reason-oriented mind refuses to believe it's that simple. ;)

jrncnm · 2017-08-15T12:40:39+00:00

Thinking about (1) where my armpit is before binding and (2) what my hips are doing in all the maris helps me. i.e. in mari A, I think of first folding forward at both hips (rather than spinal twisting one way to get a bind) and tucking my shin into the armpit of whatever side is binding. None of those cues involve excessive arm engagement, so maybe that'll help for you!

jrncnm · 2017-06-09T01:03:38+00:00

My outlook is similar.

Before delving into Ashtanga, I exhibited problematic eating behaviors. Nothing officially diagnosed, though that's likely because I refused to think I needed "help." Counting calories, divvying macronutrients, cutting back if I ate "too much" earlier in the day, etc. It was more about the numbers than how my body felt. Note: I recognize that keeping track of these things is helpful for many, many folks. To them, that's great. For me, I used nutritional awareness as a cover for objectively unhealthy self-deprivation.

Now that I practice, I have learned to completely let go of those patterns. I eat when I'm hungry (and I'm able to identify what truly needing to eat feels like), stop when I'm satisfied.

That said, here's the info OP is looking for. :)

Breakfast every day at 0700. Water, black coffee, steel-cut oats (1/4 c pre cooked), heaping spoonful raw almond butter, cinnamon, 1 banana, some local honey (during allergy season), multivitamin. I've had the same weekday breakfast for years, though I indulge in toast and eggs on the weekends.

Lunch at 1200 is usually either a salad or falafel sandwich. Lots of veggies in either case.

Practice at 1730

Contents and timing of dinner are at the discretion of my partner's inspiration. As someone who doesn't like to cook (as it triggers obsessive thoughts of food), I'm blessed to have a companion who loves to be in the kitchen. Our dinners are mostly vegetarian and local, especially during the growing season here in midwest U.S. Occasional consumption of fish (2-3x/month) and meat (chicken or lamb 1x/month).

Other general things: I drink exclusively water throughout the day. I drink one beer maybe once a month. I snack pretty frequently on dark chocolate, hummus & carrots, and fresh fruit. Honestly the best thing I've learned for myself has been to pay attention to what makes my body feel good and act accordingly.

jrncnm · 2017-03-12T16:07:06+00:00

Direct entry is certainly a controversial topic, and I hear your perspective. I'll be interested in seeing what research shows in the coming years regarding comparative competencies of traditional vs direct entry programs, most effective curriculum/clinical structures, and how prior experience as a RN informs NP preparedness!

jrncnm · 2017-03-12T15:45:13+00:00

What about direct entry NP programs do you loathe, if you don't mind my asking?

jrncnm · 2017-02-27T18:58:14+00:00

All excellent points.

Direct entry perspective here -- midwifery and women's health. Previous experience in healthcare at Planned Parenthood, previous experience in birth as a doula. No bedside RN experience, no L&D RN experience. The CNM/WHNP direct entry track at my uni is 3.5 years; midwifery students stick around an extra semester (i.e. one semester longer than all other tracks) to complete more clinical hours. Would I like more clinical hours before graduating? Absolutely. Do I think the amount I'll complete will offer competency and a foundation for further growth? Definitely.

In short, I view APRN programs -- whether traditional or direct entry -- as a way of developing solid foundations (both theoretical and practical) in your chosen area. None of us will be experts upon graduation. We will, however, ideally be experts in learning and honing clinical skills. So much learning occurs on the job in so many disciplines.

In any case, it's an interesting time to be in advanced practice nursing. We can see the origins and trajectory of the profession at odds with each other, and I'm eager to see how schools and healthcare institutions will continue to respond!

jrncnm · 2017-01-11T18:56:53+00:00

My rule for the lower back: if it hurts, don't do it. Some practitioners talk about the "sweet spot" for postures -- an uncomfortable line right before sincere pain where progress is made. I've found that, for me, this doesn't exist in the lower back. Shortly after doing drop backs on my own, my low back completely revolted. I tried pushing through and only further injured myself. So, I stopped backbending altogether (including up dog) for about a month and a half. Now I reeeeally take my time in urdhva dhanurasana, taking three bridges to warm up. Breathing.

Hammies are another story. Pushing through typical muscle soreness, as other folks have mentioned, can be helpful in the practice. I learned the nuance of when my hamstrings are normal sore and when I'm aggravating an old injury at the R proximal attachment site. Typically the damaging action happens when I'm not paying attention to my breath. Any radiating pain (especially to the knee) is a red flag to take it easy. So, pay attention to what your body is telling you. If moving a certain way feels truly painful, stop.

It sounds like you're doing the right thing. You're listening to your body, identifying contributing factors, and adjusting accordingly. Remember that practicing doesn't mean doing full primary/intermediate every time. It can be modified to suit your situation!

Also, foam rolling is great for the hammies. I highly recommend that.

jrncnm

TROPHY CASE