M.A.Y. Blog

Something to be so grateful for.

The Yoga Sutras list all of the obstacles that stop you from doing yoga . We have all been there at one time or another. We all know that yoga is great for the mind and body but the mind often has different ideas about this and throws up different ways to stop you practicing.

Yoga is often portrayed with glossy pictures of young thin women, often on beaches, contorting themselves into complex and ever more acrobatic postures. I feel that the essence of yoga is becoming lost, it is no longer a search for spirituality and higher consciousness and is becoming more of a fitness regime aimed at gymnasts and dancers. A circus, complete with acrobats !

Often Ashtanga is considered to be a practice only for young, thin and super flexible people, when really it is fundamentally a breath practice and as such is suitable for everyone. Admittedly, the postures become quite advanced very quickly, but learned in the correct way, and with a sensitive teacher, all postures can be adapted to suit any body. By correct way to learn I am referring to the Mysore style practice where the student learns one posture at a time and builds the practice over time, only moving onto the next one when they can breathe properly in each posture.

Finding a suitable space in your home where you can do your daily practice . It doesn't have to be a home studio, just somewhere with enough space to roll out your mat. Make sure you pick a time to practice when the house is quiet so that you don't get disturbed to much. I chose to practice in the early morning before everyone else is up, this way I have a nice quiet space to practice in. Finding a community of people to practice with also helps, for support and encouragement.