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You know that whole thing of kind of pulling up and out of the lower back, so you’re not sinking into it? Yeah, maybe I got too far out.

My quadratus lumborum‘s a little irritated with me. I’ve been focusing on “up and out,” particularly during twists, and I can feel it. So this morning, I went easy. Primary through marichy D, then intermediate through ardha matsyendrasana.

The whole practice was about listening as I went along — I felt like there was healing to be had in practicing, but I also know I need to temper my zeal. And then I also know that I can deceive myself, especially if it’ll further my tendency to be zealous.

I went nice and easy through the backbends of intermediate, culminating in telling MM that I was feeling tweaky when he came over to help me with kapotasana.

“Don’t break me,” I said.

I went into the pose and he just supported my lower back. Asked how I was doing. All was well. He took my hands to my feet, asked how that was. Fine.

When I came out of the pose he spotted me on the “up” vinyasa, then had me lie on my belly. Then he pulled up on the skin that covers my spine — sort of pulling the skin up off the spinal column. It felt REALLY weird, and really cool. I am curious about stuff like that, because I wonder if there’s really an effect from the movement of the skin, or if it’s just a movement of my mind. Either way, it made my back feel better.