Yoga poses are tools for observing the body — to uncover imbalances that lead to future pain. The way we use our body in daily life is repetitive and unidirectional. So our body develops imbalances that grow worse over time — from aches to pains, and eventually injuries. The more imbalances we can uncover and resolve, the less pain we experience in life.
Practice with Precision
Precision in Alignment
Every tiny tilt or rotation of a bone changes the muscles you affect in a yoga pose. You could practice a yoga pose for years without creating real changes if your alignment is not precise.
With experience as a massage therapist, my specialty is providing subtle hands-on adjustments to help you align precisely. You’ll be able to create deeper changes with less effort.
Precision in Progression
When the challenge is too great, the body is in a state of confusion where it cannot learn and grow. The fastest growth comes from an optimal amount of challenge. With other forms of exercise, you can simply lift less weight or run a shorter distance. With yoga poses, it’s more technical — requiring manipulating the angles of various parts of the body. No matter how stiff you may be, there’s always a position where you can begin a yoga pose comfortably.
Precision in Approach
The real practice of yoga is to BREATHE and OBSERVE.
Breath is the sensor that helps us feel the inside of our body. As we breathe, the expanding lungs displace air through the whole body. This subtle movement of air allows us to feel deeper into the body. It allows any hidden pain to rise to the surface of our awareness. What we can feel, the body will heal — like a cut on the skin heals naturally.
More importantly, breath is an anchor for the mind — keeping the mind away from thoughts. The movement of air inside our body is very subtle, like tugs on the fishing rod when a fish nibbles on the bait. When our mind drifts, so does our connection to the body. The most important part of yoga practice is learning to let go of our thoughts so we can observe deeper.
Through the practice of yoga poses and meditation, we expand the capacity to observe the body and mind in practice, and in life. The sooner we become aware of misalignments, the sooner we resolve them, the fewer afflictions we will experience in life.