Relax!

I often mention during class the importance of finding relaxation in even the most challenging of yoga postures. I know that can seem counterintuitive as it contradicts the emphasis in much of physical fitness culture of struggling to achieve mastery over the body, of finding ways to "whip your body into shape."  Yoga doesn't seem to work like that. First, there is a sort of aggressiveness in those types of attitudes that can be counter to yoga's principle of "ahimsa" or non-violence (including towards the self). Deepening your practice usually involves being aware of what you're feeling in your body, of breathing, and of letting go. To put it into language common in gym culture, instead of pushing through your physical limitations, your "edge," I prefer to acknowledge that edge, back away, and breathe. The resulting relaxation is what will allow you to find new opening and depth in your practice. In doing a little research for a talk I'm giving next week on yoga and spiritual embodiment, I was leafing through the yoga sutras and came across this: "Yoga pose is a steady and comfortable position." (II, 46) and "Yoga pose is mastered by relaxation of effort, lessening the tendency for restless breathing, and promoting an identification of oneself as living within the infinite breath of life." (II, 47) Here's to continuing to grow in our practice by letting go.