Sorry to disappoint, but have to clarify that I never do cold dropbacks and don’t recommend them either. I do HANG back cold all the time though. When I do dropbacks I don’t like there to be any ‘drop’ at all if possible. I guess I don’t see the point in going past the point I can control it, if I’m going back cold. I don’t like that area of no control.

I’ll do it later in the spirit of the challenge, though

Actually thinking about it, a nice way to do it cold is bending the legs and sliding the hands down the backs of the legs, first one side at a time and then both together and all the way down.

I want to get that book! I like him a lot based on that excerpt, thanks. Yes, keep the pschotherapy separate from the meditation, couldn’t agree more. I also like the ‘pointillist’ concept, that seems close to how I perceive it. I knew about the labelling practice with the gerunds, but I like the way he wants to go to much finer levels, right into vibrations. Mmmm, good

i may be repeating an old story but my first mysore teacher went to a Nancy Gilgoff training in Vermont and came back and from that point onward he would sometimes say, look! and while standing would put his leg behind his head in durvasana. we would laugh and say, show off.

cheers,
Arturo

Do you get in a quick, “I feel…good!” when you land?

I have landed spectacularly out of some poses. I’m good at tumbling, so for some reason my falls are in slow-mo and when I land it’s like the end of a great dance routine. Or like James Brown.

okay. sundress.

And yes, Patrick, the knee-landing thing is very amusing. It is a first step on the coordination front, so I’m happy to do it. I imagine it looks ridiculous. Perhaps I’ll try to video, since we are documenting our follies.

Oh, and Liz, yes, do your dropback in a sun dress. High heels make it easier, too. And what the heck, let Mike assist. In short shorts, of course!

Congrats on the toss-forward from UD! It’s kinda fun, isn’t it?

I bet I can heels-up drop back cold. Feet flat, however, now that’s a challenge. More about this to come.

Ingram’s book, btw, looks like one to pick up. Thanks for the section!

For me dropping back cold doesn’t strike nearly as much fear for me as standing from urdhva dhanuarasana cold.

Cold durvasana? mmm. I don’t think I’m tantalized by that. Doesn’t surprise me that Owl can do it- the warmed up version is pretty spectacular.

Others have been more accepting of the “working on my issues” interpretation of practice. But I feel inspired by the Theravada (Ingram et al.) critique and it’s made me way more simplified in my own practice. Also, he is SO HILARIOUS when he satirizes our narcissism! Maybe I just agree with him so much because he makes me laugh? Well, it’s also that he makes everything so much more clear.

I just did a durvasa for you. No problem, as long as I keep both knees bent on the way in and don’t try to open the hamstrings all the way. No vids though. I’m retired.

Annnnyhow. Neither here nor there. Just practice.

Oh gosh, yes. Chasing the duck = karanda. Just figured that out. I thought it was some euphemism for playing cricket or something!