Improving your Practice…by Patty Perlman

One of the things I love most about teaching yoga is watching people evolve. I’ve seen first time yogis nervously enter the studio, eyeing the room up and down and looking at the props with confusion.  Once practice begins their eyes are on me, watching for my next move even when they are in downward facing dog. Being the ‘new guy or gal’ in any situation can be intimidating.

After a few weeks of practice it’s a bit more calming to come to class – you know the drill by now. A few weeks of practice rolls into a few months, then a few years, and before I know it the once nervous beginners stroll in the door with yoga mat under arm and Ten Toes key tag swipe, ready to begin practice. They have found their spot on the studio floor and begin controlling their breath in preparation for what’s to come.  I must say it warms my heart. I love yoga, and I love when I see others genuinely love it too. After class they have a quick chat with the ‘regulars’ and are on their way – same time next week.

When we get to this complacent level in our practice, however, it’s important to remember that our yoga practice is still evolving. Most yogis can agree that, no matter how many years of experience we have in our practice, we are still all beginners and a long road lies ahead of us.

Sometimes the most experienced yogi in the room can benefit from a beginner yoga class, becoming  reacquainted with a few tips they already know that might have been lost amongst the millions of things that go flood our minds every day.

Sometimes it’s a matter of remembering just one little thing that can help us continue to learn and move forward in our practice. Maybe it’s a breathing technique, or a particular alignment in a posture, or remembering why we use a block even though our hand can make it to the floor. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the obvious, so we may continue to practice yoga with integrity. It’s the difference between saying “Yes, that is a good tip to remember” as opposed to “Yes, I know that.”

What I hope for everyone who reads this article is that you take a moment, sit down, and think about your practice. Have a pen and paper ready and write down things that can help take your practice to the next level. Are there postures you haven’t tried but want to? Are there postures you feel unsure in? Is there a breathing technique you’ve heard of and want to know more about? Is your alignment correct in your practice? How can you tell??

After you come up with a list of things you’d like to know, post them here! We love a good yoga discussion. If you want to take the initiative, look them up on your own and share your findings with the rest of us! Tell us what you were looking to improve or find out, and tell us what you found. I guarantee you are not the first person in the history of practicing yoga to have that particular thought.

Love,

Patty

Leave a comment...

Living on the Edge…Jasmine O’Brien

What does it mean to practice yoga on the edge?  Anyone who’s been to my classes will have heard me talk about “the edge”.  What exactly is your edge?

The edge is the perfect balance of effort and surrender.  It’s that point in a pose where you experience the intensity of the pose but there’s no strain and you are still able to soften.   This is a principle that when applied can deepen your practice tremendously.

How do you find your edge? The two greatest tools are the breath and the mind.  Firstly, the breath should remain steady throughout your entire yoga practice.  If your breath has become erratic in a pose, or worse, you’re holding your breath, you’ve gone beyond your edge and you’re missing out on all the benefits of the pose and putting yourself at risk of injury.  If this happens, back off and find a pose where you can maintain your deep yogic breath. When we’re at our perfect edge and breathing easefully, our muscles receive a message that they can relax and soften.  When transitioning into a pose, stop at your first place of resistance before deepening, rather than moving beyond what your body is ready for in that moment.  You will often find that through applying this simple technique the intensity of the pose will diminish and you will actually need to go deeper to find your edge again.  To deepen a pose, try using the inhalation to refine the pose or back off slightly, and the exhalation to soften into a pose.  This technique is called “playing your edge”.   It is through this practice that we actually move beyond our self-imposed limitations.

The second tool for finding your edge is the mind.  Rather than allowing the mind to wander, keep your awareness sharp by focussing on the breath and the inner sensations of the pose.  Find the place in a pose where there is enough of a challenge that the mind stays focussed.  It’s so easy to be “inactive” in a pose and allow our mind to take us on a little holiday.   If you notice this happening simply bring yourself back to the moment and the feeling of stretch in the pose, deepening if you need to.  Every pose deserves our full attention.  The power of simply being aware can have a transformative effect on your practice.

Your edge is a place of self-discovery.  Each person’s edge is different and it requires body wisdom and self-acceptance to find where this point is.  Both of these qualities are developed through our yoga practice.  Only you know where your edge is.  Your teacher can guide you but he or she can’t find your edge for you.  Don’t compare yourself with other students or the teacher.   Don’t even compare yourself with yourself!  Your edge will differ from pose to pose, day to day. It often differs between the different sides of your body and different times of day!  If you experience any injuries then your edge will change altogether – so don’t expect your pose to be as deep as it was pre-injury, and don’t give yourself a hard time about it either.  If you’re returning to yoga after a break, your edge may not be the same as when you were practicing more regularly – though with consistent and dedicated practice you will get there and perhaps even further.

How the pose feels and not how the pose looks is important. Let go of any preconceived idea of how the pose is supposed to look.  Close your eyes if you can – shutting of the visual senses can help with this inner exploration, and reduce the temptation to gaze at your pose in the mirror or compare with someone else.  This is your journey.   Ultimately this is an act of self-love – honouring your body where it is on any given day in any given pose, without judgement.

Some of us have a tendency to shy away from our edge, others have a tendency to push through. Observe your tendencies but don’t judge yourself for it.  One of the (many) things I love about yoga is the way the lessons we learn on the mat can apply directly to our lives.  Consider this: does the way you approach your edge reflect the way you approach challenges in life?  Be open to learning about yourself through your yoga practice and you will gain much more than just the physical benefits!

See each pose as an opportunity for exploration.  Be curious and open. Ultimately you won’t get as much out of your practice if your mind is taking you outside of the pose or outside of the room. Stay in the moment.  Clichéd but true – it’s about the journey and not the destination. And there is no destination in yoga practice – it’s a constant evolution and learning process to be embraced.

I encourage you to go deep within and really get to know your edge in your yoga practice this week. Enjoy!

Namaste,

Jasmine

Leave a comment...