diary of a brand new mysore ashtangi

I made it through my first morning of Mysore. It was challenging and humbling, but it also felt very meditative. I was the only new person in class, so that felt pretty strange. It's weird to be the new person in a room where you teach. Here are some thoughts that went through my head during my practice:

• Why doesn't anyone else have water next to their mat? Is it not allowed? I guess I won't drink any...
• Why are my shoulders popping like that with every chaturanga? If I skip a few, will anyone notice? If Jason notices will I get in trouble?
• How is it possible that I am the least advanced person in the room? I know nothing about yoga. I shouldn't be here.
• How many postures are there? How many will he give me? Am I going to be here for the whole three hours?
• My arms are too short to get my butt off the floor in baddha padmasana. Or I'm not strong enough? WHY are my shoulders so hyper mobile?! Will they ever get stronger?
• I wonder how long some of these people have been practicing? They have everything memorized and seem to float through everything effortlessly.
• Whoa, that girl has both legs behind her head and she's balancing on her hands. 

More tomorrow...