Yoga is often called an art and a science. It is an art because practice is personal, intuitive, creative, and expressive. It is a science because knowledge is attained through observation, questioning, investigation and experimentation. Yoga practitioners verify what is true for themselves. In this way, yoga practice complements rather than conflicts with practitioners' chosen path or religion. My husband once said that yoga practice had made him a better Christian.
The following principles for practice are synthesized from my personal practice and professional training over the past 15 years. My hope is that you'll verify for yourself whether these principles make sense, and enjoy the inner dialogue.Nature First
Let nature be your primary yoga teacher. In nature, there is rhythm, harmony and full participation, and no hurry, nor worry, nor judgment. We can observe our natural environment and see that there is beauty, ecological wisdom, and awesome mystery of the seen and unseen. In the same way, we can observe our inner ecology and experience innate beauty, wisdom, and mystery. Maximize the fun by realizing essential connection with the natural environment seen and unseen, familiar and mysterious. Experience the refreshing breeze in each breath and free thought; the essentially fluid, watery nature of emotions and body; the earthy, steadfast support and embrace of gravity; the transforming fire energy of spirit in self, in each other, in all.
Breath Aware
Start where you are. Focus awareness as breath deepens into your body. Awareness gives rise to heartfelt intention. Intention imbues action. Let breath be the guide. One moment, one breath. For more writing on breath awareness, refer to Essential Breath Awareness post.
Move from your Bones
As breath deepens, let your awareness sink into your bones. The skeleton is the structural core of the body. Energy pulsates rhythmically through the core of torso and core lines of limbs. Breathe bones into alignment, and breathe soft tissues to conform to skeletal contours. From the core of your body, lengthen out through the spine and core lines of arms and legs. Experiment to find optimal skeletal alignment.
Stability before Mobility
Body requires stability at the foundation and in joints to allow for full expressive movement and smooth, safe transitions. Energetically gather into the core of your body by drawing from your periphery (muscles hug to bones, bones snug into joints, and energy draws from fingers and toes to core). To mobilize, radiate from the core of your body. Keep joints snug and secure while energetically lengthening your bones to stretch your muscles.
Root to Rise
The foundation must be established for a pose to be expressed safely. Anchor the weightbearing points of the pose so that pressure is distributed evenly. For feet, root the base of the big toe and inner heel, and the base of the little toe and outer heel. For hands, anchor the finger tips and the base of each finger at the palm, then press down through the finger pads. Stay committed to your foundation, to the ground of your being, to find freedom as you rise up.
Let Go and Lighten Up
In letting go, stuck energy is allowed to flow, and the body-heart-mind can be rejuvenated. Remember this principle when you transition from one breath to the next, from one yoga posture to the next. Be with this breath, rather than anticipating the next. Embody this principle fully when you come into childs pose or corpse pose. It is hard to fill a cup that is already full." as the Na'vi noted in the film Avatar. Soften your heart when you backbend. Smile and use humor to let go and lighten up. Visit Essential Deep Relaxation post to read more about letting go.
These principles are a work in progress and will evolve as my understanding evolves. Thanks for sharing the journey.
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