Second Series - Punishment in Paradise

  I'm not going to lie to you. My practice has been like a roller coaster. Since when I came back from Mysore this year it's being difficult to maintain the same energy and attitude towards my mat, which is very natural I guess. There I had my teacher, the support of the Shala and the point of attention only towards my practice. Also the weather was great...plus the coconuts in the end of the practice! I can't complain :)
 My practice since India got longer but even when I got exhausted there I had to keep going. Not because it was an obligation but because it was such a special moment and opportunity to practice at the Shala receiving adjustments and energy from my teacher. If you are in the same spot I am or if you have been through this (Please I need your advice :) we may understand each other. Practicing the Primary plus a chunk of the Second Series 6 days a week is so tiring! At least for me....
 Then I tried to come up with solutions like " I will do only primary and second if I still have energy " or I will do primary in the morning and second late afternoon" or " maybe second 3 times a week" and etc........ and what I noticed in y body is my nervous system being unbalanced reflecting through my body and my thoughts.
  The second series or Nadi Shodhana its a practice build to clean the nervous system and this series is to challenge the nervous system using asanas as a false, self-imposed stress so that you practice how to remain calm and clear in the midst of challenge life situations. (Inspired by Kino MacGregor book)

  That being said I think is important to keep on going to create mental strength and stamina.Sometimes I wish I had only about a hour long practice instead of almost 2 but at the same time I'm thankful for my teacher to put me in this type of situation or I would never feel doubt of myself. My ego is really punched every time I had to do it. It hurts and sometimes I just want to run away from my mat but I choose this discipline to be the studies of my own self for self discoveries. Its amazing how this practice uses us as a laboratory and let us experiences ourselves raw and how it is.

There is no competition with God

 You probably have seen somewhere the moto " I only compete with myself". Well, this type of thinking and feeling shows more compassion towards others, but not to oneself.
 What I mean is even when one think that they are competing only with themselves, still have a competition. Roots in a rajasic state of mind that is attached to results, leading to create anxiety and a constant desire for the fruits of actions (results).
  We all want to become a better being, a better practitioner, a better anything you name... We may compete with ourselves each day towards this goal and sometimes thinking just in the results and not being fulfilled in the process.

" Obligatory action, performed without any craving or aversion by a man unattached to results - this kind of action is sattvic. "
Bhagavad Gita.

 One of the best gifts of surrendering to God, the Supreme Power (or you name it..) is the ability of trust. Performing the duties, your Sadhana and thats it. Finding equanimity in the center of ourselves even when life is twisted. And why worry about it? Everything made by him is Supreme Perfection and Supreme Love even when there is pain and fear.
 We do our Sadhana with love, dedication, devotion, determination and faith. God takes care of everything else. Offering the fruits of actions to Him, we create a state of equanimity and peace within.