Comments on: The Pain of Yoga http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/ Revolving Around You Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:34:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Allistair http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/comment-page-1/#comment-34859 Allistair Wed, 27 May 2009 21:10:08 +0000 http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/#comment-34859 Not a bad idea. I've read a little about Iyengar yoga in passing before. I'll look into finding such a studio in my area. It's also good to know that my problem isn't entirely unique. It's even better to know that some instructors have had to overcome this problem. I'll let you know how it goes. Really appreciate the tips! Cheers, ~AS Not a bad idea. I’ve read a little about Iyengar yoga in passing before. I’ll look into finding such a studio in my area. It’s also good to know that my problem isn’t entirely unique. It’s even better to know that some instructors have had to overcome this problem. I’ll let you know how it goes. Really appreciate the tips!
Cheers,
~AS

]]> By: KL - Prana Flow Yoga http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/comment-page-1/#comment-34852 KL - Prana Flow Yoga Wed, 27 May 2009 18:23:10 +0000 http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/#comment-34852 One way to get a great understanding of the use of props is to attend a couple of Iyengar classes. Iyengar focuses on precise alignment, and uses a wide variety of props to attain this alignment. An Iyengar instructor would definitely be able to give you the low down on how to best modify poses for your body as it is now, and then armed with that knowledge, you'd know what you needed in your regular yoga classes. Good luck! Persistence and patience always win the day. So far, I've never encountered anyone in any of my classes who is as tight as I once was... and I'm slowly working my way toward full forward bends. It's taken a few years, but of the joy in feeling the body surrender into openness! Cheers, KL <input type="hidden" id="gwProxy" /><!--Session data--><input type="hidden" id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" /> <div id="refHTML" /> One way to get a great understanding of the use of props is to
attend a couple of Iyengar classes. Iyengar focuses on precise
alignment, and uses a wide variety of props to attain this
alignment. An Iyengar instructor would definitely be able to
give you the low down on how to best modify poses for your body
as it is now, and then armed with that knowledge, you’d know what
you needed in your regular yoga classes.
Good luck! Persistence and patience always win the day. So far,
I’ve never encountered anyone in any of my classes who is as
tight as I once was… and I’m slowly working my way toward full
forward bends. It’s taken a few years, but of the joy in feeling
the body surrender into openness!

Cheers,
KL


]]> By: Allistair http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/comment-page-1/#comment-34806 Allistair Tue, 26 May 2009 21:39:52 +0000 http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/#comment-34806 Thanks for your reply! Your suggestions are much appreciated. Thus far, I've been finding it difficult to focus internally. I'm usually prohibitively self-conscious throughout most of a class. It's something I'm working on and it's coming along... slowly. In the meantime, using props might be prudent. I'll try using the block for support and see how it goes. Are there any resources online where I can find these kind of modifications and learn where I need to employ them? Or is this something I need to talk to an instructor about? Cheers and thanks again, ~AS Thanks for your reply! Your suggestions are much appreciated. Thus far, I’ve been finding it difficult to focus internally. I’m usually prohibitively self-conscious throughout most of a class. It’s something I’m working on and it’s coming along… slowly. In the meantime, using props might be prudent. I’ll try using the block for support and see how it goes. Are there any resources online where I can find these kind of modifications and learn where I need to employ them? Or is this something I need to talk to an instructor about?
Cheers and thanks again,
~AS

]]> By: KL - Prana Flow Yoga http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/comment-page-1/#comment-34468 KL - Prana Flow Yoga Wed, 20 May 2009 02:42:53 +0000 http://www.yogahub.com/blog/pain-of-yoga/#comment-34468 Can I offer a suggestion or two? I teach yoga, and was once painfully tight. So when you say "I'm not flexible", I would suggest saying "I'm not flexible - yet." Because with time and persistence, your body will open up. The second thing to remember is that "doing the pose" is not what yoga is all about. It's about being connected to the breath, and allowing your breath to guide you into a place of alignment where you can begin to open up. So for example, if while sitting with wide-open legs, just sitting up straight is a strain, the first thing you want to do is find something to prop your pelvis up on. A block, rolled up mat, cushion, phone book... this raising up allows the pelvis to find some forward movement, and brings your spine into correct alignment. Realise too, that you don't have to lean forward. Not at all. If you're feeling an openness simply by sitting up straight, stay right there and breath into it. Inhale up your spine finding lift and lightness, exhale through the back of your legs and heels finding groundingness and openness. Bearing this in mind will completely change your practice. We all have different bodies, and we all look different when we practice yoga, so focusing externally on the position of the teacher's body takes your awareness away from the intuitive knowingness of your body. Stay focused on your breath, and your internal processes, and you'll be surrendering into bliss in no time - regardless of how open your body is. Blessings, KL Can I offer a suggestion or two?

I teach yoga, and was once painfully tight. So when you say “I’m not flexible”, I would suggest saying “I’m not flexible – yet.” Because with time and persistence, your body will open up.

The second thing to remember is that “doing the pose” is not what yoga is all about. It’s about being connected to the breath, and allowing your breath to guide you into a place of alignment where you can begin to open up.

So for example, if while sitting with wide-open legs, just sitting up straight is a strain, the first thing you want to do is find something to prop your pelvis up on. A block, rolled up mat, cushion, phone book… this raising up allows the pelvis to find some forward movement, and brings your spine into correct alignment.

Realise too, that you don’t have to lean forward. Not at all. If you’re feeling an openness simply by sitting up straight, stay right there and breath into it. Inhale up your spine finding lift and lightness, exhale through the back of your legs and heels finding groundingness and openness.

Bearing this in mind will completely change your practice.

We all have different bodies, and we all look different when we practice yoga, so focusing externally on the position of the teacher’s body takes your awareness away from the intuitive knowingness of your body.

Stay focused on your breath, and your internal processes, and you’ll be surrendering into bliss in no time – regardless of how open your body is.

Blessings,
KL

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