As a yoga teacher I used to overthink whether my classes were spiritual enough, philosophical enough, or were they too physical, perhaps just physical?
I judged it a lot when I first started teaching that yoga shouldn't be like a workout, but the longer I've been teaching, the more I'm seeing that there's nothing wrong with it.
Not that it's a better way to practice, but rather that it's okay if this is what you're looking for from a yoga class as a practitioner, or if that's how you make your classes as a teacher - strong and physical.
More movement is what most of us need THE MOST in our lives. Our bodies are made to move and movement is medicine. We need stillness for the mind perhaps just as much, but good luck quieting the mind when the body is tight and achy and restless from sitting down the whole day. To find more stillness in the mind, it helps to first feel comfortable and strong in the body. That's why in the 8 limbs of yoga, the asana practice precedes meditation. That's why savasana on the flat ground feels so dreamy after a strong class compared to how restless it would feel if we did it in the beginning.
Throughout the day we can be completely disconnected from our body, just using it as a means to move from point A to B. Yet our body is constantly sending us signals, asking for attention with all kinds of pains and aches that we ignore and get annoyed at. Movement restores this communication and we learn to listen to what the body needs - where it's tensed, where it needs strength or space. With our sedentary lifestyle and tech-hijacked brains, who's to say that getting physical, breaking a good sweat, is not the most spiritual thing you can do to help your body and mind find balance?
Yoga is more about experiencing it, doing it rather than thinking about it or being told how to think more spiritually. As much as we put this pressure on ourselves as yoga teachers to make each class life-changing and inspirational, what holds the most transformation is yoga itself - movement, breath and everything we get to feel in between. We can therefore relax, both as students and teachers, that it's impossible for this practice to not be spiritual and mindful - movement with the breath will keep you in the body, keep you in the present moment.
The body is an incredible tool through which to explore challenge. Doing a tricky, hard posture may appear that it's all physical, but there's so much we learn about ourselves in the process - what it stirs up in us, how we talk to ourselves, how we self-regulate. The way we approach difficulty on the mat, reveals to us how we approach challenges in life. Through a strong practice we increase our tolerance for discomfort and cultivate patience and resilience. Redefining what we can do physically, invites us to let go of limiting stories and reconnects us to our courage, confidence and potential off the mat.
The way you practice yoga will change through the years - it's okay to go through seasons. When I moved to Paris last year, the first few months were so stressful and overwhelming that calm and meditative practices were instead agitating me more. Phrases like 'the harder it is to meditate, the more you need it' (which I used to say myself), is a black and white way of thinking and often don't help you stick with your practice. If it's too hard, you simply stop doing it. This is where a strong flow, a walk, or even a gym session can be my meditation, my release. Sometimes you will crave sweaty, punchy power yoga, other times you will want restorative and gentle meditative practices. No one else knows better than you what you need and no one should tell you which practice feels more valuable or spiritual to you.
The body and the mind are not separate, working on one will have an effect on the other, and it's beautiful we can choose through which door we walk in to take care of ourselves.
So really, it's okay if your yoga practice is just physical...
because it never really is just physical 🧡
What are your thoughts on this? How has your practice changed through the years? When you're really stressed do you need stronger practices or calmer ones? Have you been made to feel that a certain way to practise is more spiritual, more 'yoga'?
I look forward to hearing from you 🧡
Big hug,
Inga