Lift up practice tip to avoid frustration

Maybe this blog is a bad idea. throughout my practice this morning my mind was wandering to a myriad of ideas for posts. This was my favourite.

I tend to get frustrated with my lift up. Doug Swenson suggests that you should always practice your lift up, even if you then set down again and go through your usual jump back variation. This makes sense, looking ahead, building arm strength, good prep for Tolasana etc. But we do this, what, 24 times in the primary and I rarely seem to get more lift than the 24 times I tried it the day before and occasionally become really really frustrated. So how about this.

I often find myself shuffling forward on my mat before I jump back (notice Lino NEVER shuffles,not EVER). Instead try lifting up and shifting your backside forward an inch or backwards an inch. Your practicing your lift up yet achieving success every time because your aim is now, not height, but a little further forward on your mat. Now when you notice that the action of shifting your butt forward or back is activated by your core this starts to look even more interesting because once you do lift up in your jump back your going to want to swing yourself slightly forward and then back into your Lolasana.