Yoga and you
Yoga takes time to learn and understand. There’ll be times when it feels effortless and inspiring and others when you’ll be frustrated and want to give up. However, this doesn’t matter when you remember the very essence of Yoga: that where you are right now is perfect.
Yoga is not about reaching goals, putting on a performance of breathtaking postures or forcing yourself in any way to be something you are not. It’s about connecting with your body, mind and soul, and giving them the attention they need to flourish.
Too often today we find ourselves devoting our precious time and energy to things that ultimately leave us feeling dissatisfied, or worse that we are somehow inadequate. None of us is inadequate, but many of us forget to connect with our deeper selves and consequently get lost amidst superficial distractions, stresses and goal-oriented living.
A regular Yoga practice is in itself remedy to this constant distraction and mindlessness. Even if it’s just for a few minutes, or based around seemingly simple postures, a Yoga practice is never a waste of time. By regularly creating the space in your life to nurture your body, engage with your breath and still your mind, you are making a valuable commitment to your deeper self.
It’s easy to be enthusiastic when you first discover Yoga, but after some time the novelty might start to wear thin and your mind will start to seek something new and unfamiliar. If this happens, the simplest solution is to get out your mat and practice. I’ve never heard anyone say they regretted doing this.
Your heart is your inner teacher. If you learn to listen to your heart you will be constantly reminded of your truth. We each have our own ‘inner guidance system’, which reveals our innate and authentic desires; practicing Yoga will enable you to listen to this system – in all aspects of your life. Reconnect with this heart space as much as you can so that you can become your own teacher.
Don't be in a hurry with your practice. Be curious. Try to discover for yourself what the postures mean to you. You don’t have to follow instruction to the letter; always think about how the poses feel for you and how you are reacting to them physically, mentally and emotionally. You practice Yoga for you alone. There is no ‘Yoga Boss’ judging you. Take ownership of your practice.
How to get the most out of Bliss Divine classes
- Be enthusiastic and motivated; I love it when students have explored things for themselves at home and then come to class with questions, pushing me to explore my own knowledge further
- Arrive on time, and preferably a little early so that you can settle into the frame of mind that works best for you in your practice. If you’re late once in a while, don’t worry, but please be careful to avoid this as much as possible because you will disrupt your fellow students
- Don’t come to class with a competitive attitude; don’t be afraid of ‘doing less’ and even try to stay with the idea of being a novice, so that you remain open to learning
- Be seen. Introduce yourself to your teacher. Don't always hide at the back of class; position yourself near the front once in a while
- Attend regularly, and this could mean coming to class when you don't feel like it. I’ve never heard of anyone regretting going to a Yoga class; don’t always listen to your mind!
- Don't compare yourself to anybody else in the class or to your teacher. Some people are more naturally flexible than others – so much so that this causes them problems! You will have ‘your’ postures; others will have theirs
- Think about why you’ve decided to come to classes; be reasonable. If your intention is “to become a master yogi in three weeks” then you’re going to be disappointed, but having a focus such as “to strengthen my back and move out of pain in 6 months” can be helpful for both you and your teacher
- Be open to receiving adjustments and advice. Any personal instruction/corrections will be intended to help, not berate, you
- Give feedback. Please say when your teacher does something particularly helpful or potentially harmful to you; feedback is vital to the ongoing development and refinement of classes. To offer your experience, good or bad, is to be of service (‘Karma Yoga’)
- Lastly, don't give up! Postures that are initially uncomfortable and/or challenging are generally the best ones for us. The truth is that the people who struggle the most in a class to begin with are those who have the most to gain. It is hard for us to let go of our competitive nature and desire to be immediately good at something…but this is why we say 'practice' and not ‘perfection’!
“Cheer yourself up! Apply heart and soul to this work. I guarantee that you will feel blessed and happy.” Swami Sivananda
