How To Challenge Yourself in a Yoga Class

Get out of your head.  So many times, we overthink the asanas (postures).  Rather than focusing on the kinesiology of the poses, focus on the sensations of them.  I believe Rodney Yee explained this best a few years ago at the Yoga Show in Toronto, when he said, "Get out of your head and into your body."

Stay present.  Although this may seem like an obvious tip, it isn't!  How many times have you found yourself on the mat thinking about what the day has already brought you?  Or diving ahead into a future that has yet to occur?  Just recently Eckhart Tolle posted a new video on his website.  He begins the video with the words, "Welcome to the present moment."

It is absolutely captivating!

As you work through the class, notice if your mind is staying on the mat with you.  If it isn't, use the words, "Welcome to the present moment" like a mantra; not only saying the words, but truly allowing yourself to be HERE now!

Spot the difference.  Notice the differences between the right and left sides of the body.  Remember yoga is about balance.  Chances are the right and left sides will have something different happening with them. 

By giving yourself the gift of presence along with being 'in' your body, you will easily and effortlessly discover imbalances.

The key after you have found the difference is to stay on the tighter side twice as long.  Eventually, over time, you will shift and change the length of the muscle, thereby finding further balance.

Go to your edge.  This was one of my first teacher's favourite phrases which still echoes in my mind.  She used to encourage us to, "go to the edge of the stretch and not beyond."  This sounds fairly easy.  However it is most likely one of the most challenging things to do, particularly for the flexible.

Although flexibility is NOT the point of yoga, it is definitely a by-product.  Those who are inflexible are forced to listen to their bodies.  They have no choice.  Yet those of us who are more flexible tend not to listen as closely.  Why?  Because the channels of the body are open and it will go there.

The best advice for any practitioner is to never force the body into anything it is not yet ready to do.  How do you know if its ready?  Nothing should hurt.  If there is pain, you've definitely gone too far. 

Hard work is perfectly fine.  The idea of 'no pain, no gain' does not apply to any yoga practice. 

We must learn to listen more closely and allow the body to be our teacher.  If we force less and listen more, it will tell us what is right and wrong for us.

Choose new real estate.  Recently I started noticing how many students come to class and position their mat in the exact same spot week after week.  Their space can become the ultimate attachment.  Attachments can be viewed as an anti-yoga theme; the entrapment of the ego.

When I asked the students why they do this, most of them replied that it was 'their space' or they 'felt like home there'. 

I challenge you to find a new piece of real estate every week.  And as you unroll your mat into the new area, notice what happens in your mind.

Watch and observe the mind's reaction to this small and seemingly simple change.

You may gain great new insights about yourself.