Hello Justine,
There are two things in your post that I wish to address. The first is what I will call “coming to the mat” and the second is amending one’s practice during illness, anxiety, stress, and upheaval.
[B]Coming to the mat -
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Yoga is a vast body of wisdom available to us for our own evolutionary process as beings. It is only our self-limited Western minds that have chosen to cling to asana, calling and defining it as “Yoga”. Asana of course has a purpose but yoga is still available to those who do not practice asana.
When the student cannot, for whatever reason, come to the mat with immense joy for the asana practice it may be perfectly appropriate to not go at all. Even a short practice in the name of “discipline” where there is no joy is a violation of yoga precepts. Asana practice may ebb and flow. But that tide is part of the learning process of yoga in our lives. Examine it in yourself with the same playful exploration you use in Trikonasana. Use that examination or self-study to move forward in whatever way serves your purpose here, your [I]svadharma[/I].
[B]Yoga during illness -
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When our bodies react they are reacting to how we live. There is a constant yet subtle dialogue between the mind and body (or consciousness, if you will). And our task is to learn to be better listeners. When we cultivate the nature of honoring that dialogue so to do we cultivate the self-care that allows for healing and restoration.
Just as an asana practice is not the same in your 20’s as it should be in your 50’s, an asana practice when you are fully well would not be the same as one when you had influenza. The practice must not be “off the rack”. Instead it must be custom-tailored to the student.
Consider taking an asana rest in favor of a Yamas and Niyamas practice. Start with Saucha (unless another calls to you) and spend seven consecutive days living it. Then move on to the next.
