I think I can...maybe next time

In the Mysore room every morning, I see many students effortlessly go up into headstands, Salamba Sirsasana. They set their hands up, put their crown of their head on the floor and lift their legs. Just like that. Breathe 20 breaths, legs come down half way, breathe some more then come down to child's pose. Simple right? We are Ashtanga Yogis and this is what you do.
I wish!
I get to that part of the closing sequence and first do a few modified handstands without putting my head on the floor....arm balances really. I do this to feel the connection to my shoulders and to make sure I am moving the shoulder blades down the back towards my hips. It is a nice prep posture; a modified dolphin pose.

This is what I imagine I look like trying to do a headstand.

Feeling confidant, I put my crown on the floor sink the shoulder blades and come up to my toes. Good so far. Good to go a little further, I start to walk my toes in while bending my knees and JAM JAM JAM!!! Those yoga fairies put cement in my spine again while I was sleeping! Damn you yoga fairies!!!! They come at night, they can either sprinkle you with the 'Amazing Practice' dust or the 'Cement' dust. They are tricky little tricksters! It's always nice to put the blame on someone else.....as long as you are aware you are doing it. Don't fool yourself.

The Green Absinth Fairy from Moulin Rouge

So I will try a couple of times lifting one foot then the other off the floor and that is it....child's pose. Defeated! Once again the yoga fairies won. You can almost hear their little, muffled giggles.

The other day, after teaching 3 classes, I thought it would be a good idea to try doing a headstand with the assistance of the wall. Try something new. Approach it with a clear mind. Wipe out any preconceived ideas about the pose. There is no Jam, Cement or Fairy Dust this time. I pump myself up.
My back is not to the wall but my feet are. My intention is to walk up the wall with my feet. I get set up. Placing couch pillows around me just in case I fall. My son is watching cartoons across the room, focused on the tv and has no idea what I am doing. I set up, doing the modified dolphin pose and ready to do a headstand. Determined to do a headstand. I picture myself in my mind doing a headstand. I know this time for sure.
I walk up the wall....pressure on the top of my head is still 10%. Good! Ok time to lift one foot away from the wall and point it up to the ceiling. My leg is moving in slow motion....foot points to the ceiling. OMG I feel balanced!!!! Freak out!!! Tense my upper back and neck and come down.
Child's pose....I hear no fairy giggling.
.........
.....
...
What the heck just happened? I freaked out! But I felt balanced? I could have brought my other foot up. But instead I freaked out because I felt balanced.

I get up, put all the pillows away and sit on the couch with my little boy.

The yoga fairies paid me a visit that night.
Yup.
I will tell you all about it in my next post.

True story.
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On a side note. I think I got the yoga fairy idea from someone else.....maybe Harmony.