to uncomfortable feelings, embracing and integrating them, that is the question.
The other day in one of my yoga classes, when I asked if anyone had a particular concern or issue (physical, emotional, mental or spiritual) they wanted to address in class, a student responded with "I'm feeling very vulnerable today."
What strength, to be able to recognize and then state (out loud, in front of other people) that feeling! It provided the perfect opportunity for a little discussion about applied yogic philosophy. I believe that information without action is useless - if we do not use the information we gather, then what use is it to us? Therefore, the study of yogic philosophy must be undertaken with the intention to put it to use in one's life, otherwise it is just more useless theory.
So I suggested two approaches for our asana class that day: (1) use standing poses to create a sense of groundedness, strength and stability so that they could experience the vulnerability while staying present to it or (2) use backbends to create a sense of confidence and strength while opening the heart center (a.k.a. the heart chakra - the physical seat of the soul in the body), allowing for more of the "big You" to come into the body, which would envelop the vulnerability in wisdom, compassion, love and grace...essentially transforming it. After my explanations of both approaches, the student said "Backbends, please" and off we went.
This was my way of helping all of the students present learn to identify their feelings, embrace them, and figure out how to nurture themselves into harmony using yogic tools. Sometimes, we need to open to /increase the potential for uncomfortable feelings (backbends can make a practitioner feel vulnerable because of the very openness they create in the whole length of the front body) and welcome those feelings in so that we can go beyond them, easing our way into equanimity. Other times, it isn't the opening that is needed, but a rooting/grounding practice to help the practitioner feel more stable and secure, like they can experience this feeling without getting wrapped up in it and "blowing away". By offering the student an option, they were able to go inside more deeply and discern which of the two approaches, opening or rooting, would benefit them at that moment.
This, my friends, is much more important than whether or not you can touch your toes. Yoga is about living more gracefully and harmoniously - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The things we learn in class, just like the yogic philosophy, can and should be applied to everyday life in order to get the most out of them.
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