All posts tagged: Yoga

Caveat Meditator

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| INT. – A bookstore in Rishikesh, India – Afternoon | I am with a yoga teacher from the west. She is browsing the shelves for herself, but then remembers that I, her student, am present. She hands me a book. “Here, this is good. You should read this and practice the exercises.” The book she has handed me is on advanced breathing techniques. While it is a good book, it is not a good book for me at this stage. Curiously, she has not asked me essential questions about my previous training, interests, and goals; so how does she know that this is appropriate for me? Simple answer: she does not know. She has not asked me the questions because this retreat she has organized is not for me or other participants. It is for herself. And this book is not for me—not yet. What little I do know about advanced breathing techniques: they are powerful. One must proceed with proper training, adequate knowledge, and competent guidance. Otherwise, it could be dangerous. This book requires far more …

Advance

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As beginners in a yoga practice, we may find ourselves with instructors and practitioners who show us their advanced asana (physical poses), with little or no explanation about the gradual process of achieving the asana. It is impressive when we perceive someone as spontaneously capable of a pose that seems so daunting. Perhaps an instructor goes into Mayurasana (the peacock pose). Or a student practicing near us shows how they can do the Astavakrasana (the eight angle pose). Meanwhile, we’re still trying to stand straight and balance in Vrkasana (the tree pose). The key in those moments as a beginner is to remember that these are only the finished poses. The real objective is inner alignment for enlightenment — through movement and personal development.  So as we concentrate on straightening our posture, feeling rooted in the earth, reaching towards the sky, and experiencing balance in Vrkasana – and if we are able to do this (even slightly) better than in the practice session before — therein lies the value. The achievement is not the advanced asana; it is to …