Laying the framework

"Approach each pose as though you're laying the framework for the future of that pose," said my yoga teacher G today. By that she meant that we should exercise precision and prudence in setting up the foundation of each pose, and see each pose as the foundation of future enactments of the pose. So the foundation of vasisthasana, or side plank, is the supporting foot and hand. The next level of foundation is the shoulder and hip. If each point of support is aligned correctly (hand under shoulder, fingers spread; foot flexed, outside and sole to the floor) and the muscles are firmed, the chance of injury is reduced and the benefits—strength, balance, flexibility—are increased. The care with which each asana is executed sets the stage for the next iteration of the same asana. If you sag at the waist and round your shoulders in today's vasisthasana, you have set up bad habits and failed to cultivate strength for tomorrow's vasisthasana. And if you fling yourself into it without taking care to create the foundation and alignment structure, an injury may set back your next attempt.

As usual, yoga lessons are life lessons. In short, I kind of fucked up in setting up the structure for my parents' elder-care arrangements by allowing my effort to sag. I let time slip away. So now the tasks are much more daunting.