You may have seen news reports or read recent newspaper stories that outline all of the possible injuries that can result from yoga practice. Here's the way I see it: Here in the West (America) we are an intensely competitive group of people and we are pretty preoccupied with comparing ourselves and our bodies to those of others. Yoga, like any other activity, can cause those involved to push themselves "to be their best" and to try to master what appears to be the perfect yoga pose. Sadly, there are also lots of yoga teachers out there with limited training that do not provide options and modifications to students and they often teach to their strongest students rather than the beginners. All of this focus on complex and difficult physical postures (asanas) can lead to injury for students.
In actuality, yoga is not exercise! Yoga traditionally has been a practice for living. In a traditional yoga practice we are working on creating a calm mind, being present, and finding ways to link body/mind/spirit so that we can learn about and appreciate our true nature. Yoga recognizes that health in the body is important to our overall well being, so we stretch, bend and move to stay healthy, supple and ready to meet the challenges of everyday life. When we turn yoga into simply an exercise routine, we invite competition, pushing, comparisons, and thoughts about how many calories we may be burning into a practice that should be about finding peace, health and clarity.
What can be hard for all of us is to find a place of balance. We either give up and give the minimum effort, or we work at the other extreme, competing and pushing ourselves to our limits (or past them!).
As you practice yoga, consider how you can find that perfect balance between effort and ease. Let go of thoughts that lead you to believe that you "ought to" look or feel a certain way. Be patient...let your practice, your strength, and your flexibility improve over time. What's your hurry? Slow down, breathe...and feel content in this moment...just as you are! Namaste
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