SHOWING UP FULLY FOR YOGA
There are many truths Yoga practice offers, but perhaps the most profound is being with yourself, and being OK with that. Whether in a class setting or your own practice at home, the fundamentals of committing the time and effort, as well as allowing yourself to be with yourself, are as important as the practice itself.
Yoga is slow-going initially, because of the way the body moves. There is an intensity to each Asana that is felt differently depending on how often and how deeply you practice.
INTEGRATING YOURSELF INTO YOUR ASHTANGA PRACTICE
Ashtanga can be very physically demanding initially, but gains intensity in other areas as you practice regularly. Once there's an understanding of the breathwork and Ashtanga principles, they become automatic, and there's a natural shift in your practice.
Although a physical practice, the depth of body awareness and flowing through the sequence allows ease of movement, shifting focus to internal intensity.
What happens next? You have to be with yourself in your practice. No longer focusing on the sequence, your breath work is automatic, and focus shifts to Bhandas and deeper aspects of the practice.
Many fear starting with Ashtanga classes as they seem daunting. However, Ashtanga focuses on staying within the poses you can do, only moving on to others when ready. Deep commitment is needed, taking time to progress, accepting where you are, and adapting poses aids in committing to the present.
IMMERSING YOURSELF INTO YOUR YIN PRACTICE
Yin classes are slow, creating space to find comfort. Quieting the mind and holding the Asana for 5 minutes and up, the depth of going beyond the Asana to yourself is automatic. This takes self-awareness.
When the silence of the Asana is profound, it can lead to wanting movement. Within that silence, you find your breath, center, and the core of your comfort and discomfort. Many find this part of the Yin practice more uncomfortable than holding the pose, realizing Yin is what they actually need.
Yin poses cause your body to deepen, and the practice causes you to deepen into yourself. Escaping the physical does not help the internal work, and escaping the internal work does not help the physical practice. A Yin practice forces the integration of both, as well as a commitment to both aspects.
RELEASING YOURSELF INTO YOUR HATHA PRACTICE
Hatha is the place where the simplicity and complexity of a Yoga practice originate. It challenges you each time, balancing strength and intensity with ease.
Hatha allows a balance of comfort and discomfort without trying to do so. It is easiest to ask yourself what you want from a pose, from your breath, from the repetition of the practice. Hatha allows growth in all directions.
Your Yoga practice is individual. Your internalization of Yoga is individual. Whichever style you connect to is what you want and need. The commitment to yourself within your practice helps unify the internal and external. Show up fully, and you will find your practice deepen and evolve.