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We've all heard of the age old adage - "No Pain, No Gain". Well in Yoga, we prefer NO PAIN. Period. And of course as a result, you stand to gain a LOT more.
I guess you could say, in Yoga we practice AHIMSA instead. AHIMSA is a sanskrit word that means non-harm. In Yoga the observation of Ahimsa is not only towards observing a vegetarian diet, loving spoken words etc. Ahimsa actually begins with US. Especially in how we treat our body and our minds.
The first thing that was drilled into us at our instructor course was the concept of NO PAIN. Period.
Yoga is not meant to be practiced with pain. It is not about pushing our body to meet the the picture perfect asana (pose).
Instead, we were taught to respect the signals from our body, honour them, and adjust and modify our approach into the asana that helps keep the form and intent behind that particular pose. And if that too would cause harm, then it is to be avoided till the body can be prepared in the right conditions for it, OR to simply find alternative poses that bring about the same benefits.
We each have different degrees of flexibility. One of the things our teacher was great at doing was showing us how to go step by step into an asana. He is one of the most strongest and flexible person I know, yet he will stop at various points to illustrate how each body may reach the asana differently.
THIS WAS CRUCIAL.
Because we are visual creatures, we tend to do as we SEE, more than we do as we HEAR.
So these days, I am more mindful about getting into the asana ALL THE WAY. I spend more time explaining the tips, the right form, the intent and benefits BEFORE getting into it.
I feel it sets both the instructor and practitioner up for the best learning and asana experience.
I believe in short term patience for lifelong gains, rather than short term gains that could potentially injure and take us away from our beloved Yoga practice. ;)
From a physiological point of view, pain signals damage in the body. It is calling for us to rest, reset or attend to the misalignment. Often times, joint pain is a result of the misuse, damage or wrong use of our muscles. We might be over engaging some of the wrong ones, while the others either end up compensating or weakening. Of course, this can also be due to injury or illness. Whatever the cause, the fact remains, that we are being called to attend to it.
So, as a general rule, we FOCUS on the FORM - which means paying attention to the RIGHT muscles groups to engage, and NOT to push TOO FAR, or TOO MUCH. The idea is to re-align the body SLOWLY, so that we have a lasting structural realignment and our subsequent steps will take us further and deeper into our wellness journey.
So remember, when it comes to Yoga, chuck that age old adage - "No Pain, No Gain". You can rest assured it did not come from a Yogi ;)
Go Ahead! Live your best life!
Previous Posts of Interest:
The Art of Living through the Science of Yoga
Yoga and Leadership Series: #3 Practitioner to Instructor
How to Relieve Writer's Block using Backbends and Downward Facing Dogs!
Yoga and Leadership Series: #2 Yogini to an Entrepreneur - an Insight to Yoga and Spirituality
Yoga and Leadership Series: #1 Introduction - A Brief History of Yoga
MY Ikigai:
What I LOVE: Writing about life, expressing ideas, poetry, haiku, short stories and motivational quips. Practicing yoga and internal reflections, walks in nature, compassionate acts towards nature, animals and humanity.
What I OFFER the world: Innovative solution to Creative Self-Expression. With a passion for Creativity, Innovation, Integrity and Authenticity in thoughts, words, and deeds.
What I am/can be PAID FOR: Writing, teaching yoga, books (in the making), training, facilitating. And hopefully to sit and spin out creative ideas/solutions at whim!
What I'm GOOD at: Hypnotising my Yoga students apparently! Writing from the heart, being a hopeless romantic, passionate utopian, innovator and creator of all things fun and uplifting.
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