January 1, 2011: The new year has begun and after soul searching and intention setting I vow to explore the many facets of yoga for 365 days and record my experience.  My hope is that this journey will dive me deeper in to my asana and meditation practice and encourage me to explore the other limbs of yoga. I warn my audience, I intend to be very raw and honest about my experiences. Specifically, as I take this journey through the mind, body, and spirit I will be forthright with details that may offend a sensitive palette.

Hopefully through open and honest descriptions of my personal path others will grow to understand their own experience a little better.  Perhaps in a world that has a tendency to isolate us within our own bodies and minds, this journal will help people see that we are all one, more similar than different than the person sitting next to us.  Hopefully, by being forthcoming about my trials and tribulations we can learn together about how to live a life of fulfillment, health, and happiness.

And so we begin…

Day 1

At the strike of midnight last night I started my moon cycle four days early.  As I sat with four women and had my first Tarot reading I felt myself begin to bleed.  For many this cyclical process is considered a burden, something that gets in the way.  I used to feel the same way and do my best to numb the pain with Midol or other over the counter drugs.  Thankfully a dear friend showed me the error of my ways about ten years ago and I stopped numbing myself from experiencing this sacred time.

In order to combat unwanted symptoms, such as headaches and cramps, I simply learned to take better care of myself.  In the days leading up to my cycle I am careful to drink lots of water and avoid all caffeine.  Additionally, I remove any unnecessary sugar or salt from my diet.  Sleep and exercise also play a key role, and I check in to make sure my routine is in integrity.

I usually hold steady with the lunar cycle either beginning my period or ovulating with the new and full moon. Perhaps the winter solstice and the full lunar eclipse a few weeks ago pulled me forward.  Perhaps the momentum towards the New Years Eve holiday took me off of my normal lunar cycle.  Whatever the cause my be, I was caught off guard and didn’t have a chance to follow my Happy PMS routine.  In fact with the New Years holiday, concerts, and social gatherings I’ve pretty much done the opposite of take care of myself and I’ve been suffering for it today.  Throbbing headache, cramps and an overall sense of fatigue and dizziness were my reality today.

I started the day with 17 minutes of mediation and found myself going deeper than I’ve been able to in the last few weeks.  I find my moon cycle very grounding.  I was pleasantly surprised to encounter a more grounded seat as I took to my cushion and lost myself in the bliss of samadhi.

Unfortunately, my asana practice did not similarly benefit.  I only managed to practice for about 15 minutes in the early evening before my headache and dizziness requested that I stop.  I did rest in triangle pose, or trikonasana, for a bit and managed a few sun salutations to warm up the muscles and get my blood flowing.  Even this short practice improved my overall well-being.  My cramps were reduced and my headache was far more tolerable.  An assessment of my day would probably reveal savasana and child’s pose, to be my body’s most successful and sought after asanas.

I’m looking forward to feeling better tomorrow and getting a solid practice in, but already I can say this journaling process has taught me something.  The weightiness of a woman’s moon can be a very informative way to learn the prana vayu, apana. Apana is a grounding force.  It is the energy of the feet when they root in to the ground. It is the feeling of the body sinking in to the floor as savasana deepens.  I will try to tap in to this free gift of apana when I move in to my more airy days.