Why do it?

photo: James O'Brien

"What do you think are some of the most common mistakes that people make when they're practicing Yoga?" Miriam Austin author of Yoga for Whimps was asked. "I think people try too hard. I tell my students, 'Don't do your best pose. Just do the pose in a whimpier way than what you can' — if we do a pose several times, start out lightly and then by the third or fourth time you can go deeper into the pose." - good advice which will help us all avoid injuries. The description "whimpier way" doesn't immediately connect us to the attitude of precision that we try to cultivate in our yoga practice. But, Austin also recognizes that a good sense of humor and cultivating a spirit of fun can be helpful in yoga practice. The interview ends with this sentiment, " I mostly do Yoga for fun, because it is fun to me! It's great to do handstands and backbends. I probably don't practice the poses I don't like so much! (laughs) But I think that's okay because ultimately if you're not having fun, why do it?"

Utkatasana and the Power of Observation

We've been working through James Higgins' vinyasana "Strength and Grace" from the Yoga Journal ( Feb. 2008). It begins with Utkatasana (chair pose). In her discussion of this pose in "Yoga in Action, a Preliminary Course" Geeta Iyengar reminds us that the effects of the asanas are to be observed in the practice of the asanas. "This observation needs to be learnt and cultivated the same as any skill. It does not require any special talent in the execution of the asanas and so is available to all." The possibility of sharpening our powers of self-observation in the asanas is available to all of us. Regardless of our current physical limitations, the number or height of the props we use, the modifications we require. It is available to all of us, all the time, in every pose. Whew! That's a relief. As our perception and observation skills improve we're better able to perform the asanas and reap their physiological, mental and spiritual benefits. Begin with Utkatasana, back against the wall, try it lying on the floor with your feet on the wall, or try the actions seated in an actual chair if you like. See what you can observe about the position of the diaphram in the pose (lifted) and the all-important alignment of the buttock bones. According to Geeta "When bending the knees in Utkatasana, take the buttock bones straight down, do not push them out behind." Then take your observations with you as you get to your feet and try the pose standing. Sharpen your powers of self-observation.

"The Study of yoga is not about anything external to you."

Gary Kraftstow reminds us that, "It is important to remember that the study of yoga is not about anything external to you. It is about studying yourself and learning tools to reduce the undesirable things in your life, like back pain, and increasing the positive things, like happiness. It is about refining yourself at all levels." In "Watch Your Back", a December, 2007 Yoga Journal, article Kraftstow reminds us that we can easily learn yoga techniques and use them to feel better and address our health concerns. This has been "Gary Kraftstow" week for me. His ideas inspired my classes. "Asana is fundamentally about moving awareness in the body and then about moving energy in the body through awareness." (American Yoga by Carrie Schneider). That is what it is all about, building body awareness through yoga asana and using that increased sensitivity to move energy in your body. It is not esoteric, it is accessible to every yoga student. When you increase your awareness of the soles of your feet in baddha konasana can you use that to increase awareness of your feet in standing poses and then in inverted poses when your feet are in the air? Your own personal body map will have many new data points. This feedback can help you tune into your body, give your thinking mind a bit of a breather and increase your ability to address your body's dull areas. Can you move energy in your body? In yoga practice sometimes it is "all about you".