Yoga Goals 2016

Today is my favourite day of the week, yes it's Friday but that also means its Yoga Day
I've been going to a weekly yoga class at Midlands Yoga for nearly 12 months now - it took me at least that long to pluck up courage to attend but now it's a vital part of my weekly routine.
Yoga had been recommended to me by my physiotherapist when I was having to have weekly physio for back pain post nephrectomy - kidney removal in laymans terms. Many of the exercises given to me were reflected in Hatha Yoga and so it made sense to continue with them at my leisure rather than via the NHS.
Early on in my yoga experience I wrote a blog about my fear of 'The Plank' which can be found on my other site An Unfashionable Cancer This addressed fears I had about performing this move during yoga as I was still unsure whether it had played a part in the discovery of my tumor - a good thing but I was still nervous about 'planking'. With practice and determination I have now overcome my initial fears and can happily take up plank pose with no difficulty at all, it was the thought rather than the action that scared me.
Last week however I came up against a new yoga adversary, The Crow. Now don't get me wrong, I had met this move many times before and though I'd given it my best shot, I just couldn't get into that position. Rather than a detailed description or 'how to' I'll just share the image of Crow Pose...

For the very first time last week I surprised myself and actually managed to get both feet off the ground, maybe only a couple of seconds but I felt it. Then I felt something else...a particularly sharp and unpleasant pain in my abdomen around the area where my scar is. Now this will be news to my yoga teacher as I didn't say a word and was more worried about making a scene than what the pain was.
Thankfully it lasted only a few seconds and I was able to continue with the class as normal and without saying a word. I think that what I'm still learning is that there are muscles and parts of my body that I haven't used or put to the test for a long time. There are bound to be occasions where I rediscover these muscles and as in this case reawaken areas that have until now not been used for a while.
This experience has given me the incentive to book a one to one session with my teacher where I can explain to her how I feel during the various yoga poses. I feel that I have often held back due to fear of doing too much or just simply not carrying out the moves correctly.
It's also taught me the need to speak up, that fear of making a fuss is very real particularly when it concerns medical issues that I want to keep private. Despite being asked each week if anyone has any health issues I still find it incredibly difficult to say anything even in confidence, my stubborn pride.
I have 2 main goals in yoga this year, one is to touch my toes - I'm still about 5/6" away and the other is to do the Crow.
Thankfully I have an extremely well qualified and understanding teacher who - once I've shared my fears, will be able to guide me through the best ways to reach my yoga goals. With the added benefit of having one to one tuition I'll be able to approach those poses I find most difficult with more confidence and know how.