Learning how to fall
Pincha (holding yourself upside down whilst balancing on your forearms) is a posture that has seemed impossible for me for the longest time. Before I became pregnant with Theia, I’d made a little progress in the asana. I felt strong and pretty confident. I’d muscle up and catch a moment, but then sink into child’s pose, somewhat relieved it was over, until next time…
For quite a while I’ve jokingly described my life as being ‘constantly in a Scorpion Pincha’. My life in getting Noble Yoga up and running has been full of discomfort, challenge, impostor Syndrome, but most of all, my fear of falling has come front and centre. I’ve been musing over how my yoga matt is proving to be quite the mirror, and through this long winter I’ve found myself stopping more often to take observation.
Theia is almost 3 years old now, and wow have I had to start again. Unlearning and relearning in a different body. A true lesson in patience and acceptance. Acceptance for where I am today, the importance of my journey, and that today is not the same as yesterday, nor the same as tomorrow. Also remembering there’s no prize to unlocking the posture anyway.
Earlier this month I spent an incredible 2 hours in Yoga Soul with the wonderful Nicole Driscoll (fan girl) in her Pincha workshop. A beautiful session which unpacked the posture, beginning with drills, strength training, flexibility, kicking up, falling, form, hand position, oh yes, and breath.
(Note to self, a 2 hour Pincha workshop renders hair brushing off the table for at least 48 hours – #brokenarms #chappedelbows).
My Pincha journey is teaching me many lessons. Some of them feel ginormous. And at the same time as Noble Yoga is growing, I’m trying to give consciousness to my learnings both on and off the mat.
My 6 pillars:
Strength, it’s vital, there is no getting around it. Practice, practice, practice. Keep on keeping on.
Alignment. Learn where you are in space and feel your way when you don’t. Be where you are today.
Polarities. Learn how to respond to polarity, simultaneously press down and lift up.
Be playful, make shapes, take up space.
Remember to breathe. No breath, no pose. Brrrreeeeeaaaattthhhe into it.
Falling. Practise all the exits, get good at it. Fall seven, get up eight.
Take it all off your mat, and into your life. After all, that’s the true power of yoga, right?
Thank you to all my teachers who have shared their wisdom with me. In all my journeys on the mat. Nothing but huge love for you all.
At Noble, all our products have been thoroughly tested to stay put in inversions. We know they will support you in your practice. They are very Pincha friendly! If you haven’t tried one of our products yet, come on in. You can shop with us here.
If you have something you’d love to chat about, need help with sizing, want to work with us, or something else, then you can reach me here too.
Love, Jodie.
Co-founder, Noble Yoga
