To get the most out of Yoga we should recognise that individuals have different needs and that the practice of Yoga is a life's work-in-progress

By Kate Potter

Yoga practice includes everything from the way you eat your cereal in the morning to your final nighttime thought. When your body, your deepest heart awareness, and your relative mind are in accord with universal nature you are, in its deepest sense, practicing Yoga. It is a practice of letting go of the ego, listening deeply to the cries of the world, giving full-heartedly without expectation of anything in return. In short, Yoga is a practice of forgiveness, forbearance, humility, and love.

"Hmmm," someone might think, "maybe I’m in the wrong course; I was looking for the yoga that sweats off calories, burns stress, and gives a tight yoga butt in 30 days." This is how Yoga is commodified these days, and while there is nothing inherently wrong with yoga for fitness, it has its limitations and possible dangers.

The physical practice of Yoga can indeed be a vigorous workout. Taught with care and deep respect for the body, it can be transformational. However, with the more athletic styles of Hatha Yoga (all physical styles are variations of Hatha) that are taught to large groups, of differing levels of experience, the teacher’s expertise is paramount. How can one teach subtle body awareness in a fast moving pace to 35 people who have 90 minutes to get fit, relieve stress, prevent disease, and look good doing it? In our attempt to promote Yoga, we have given people expectations, encouraging them to seek results and thereby moving further from the deep possibility of the practice.

People drop into my "advanced class" and within minutes I notice they have little understanding of the breath, and no idea about the bhandas (core muscle, and energy keys). Yet they insist they are experienced practitioners. I know they are there to flex, and want to get flexing. How can I expect such a student to possibly know where their edge is, let alone to know philosophically the meaning of Ahinsa (non-harming), for instance?

If we become too absorbed in the body, attached in any way to our "rock-hard biceps" or "not-as-tight-as-I’d-like abs," we are not exactly doing Yoga (unless perhaps we call it "Babe Yoga"!). After a practice which pampers the ego, students go home feeling self-centredly-centered, not exactly what the masters teach.

Ayurveda and Asana

Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, might suggest a more appropriate application of the asanas. According to Ayurveda, which seeks to understand the laws of the universe and related inner workings of our bodies, we are ecosystems. We are multi-dimensional, and if we are not paying attention, imbalance to our ecosystem occurs. Yoga asanas have long been used as a part of this many-faceted approach to health.

For example, a "pitta" type of person is associated with fire; they have a muscular physique and an active mind. Pittas are by nature passionate, courageous and competitive. But they can be imbalanced by excessive heat and activity and become angry, impatient, and ego-driven. Signs of imbalance are skin rashes, headaches, irritability, and feelings of a high followed by cravings when the high wears off. But for many pittas, their fiery imbalance is what drives them to a fiery athletic Yoga class where they may further aggravate their "dosha." What is preferable is a class that lessens pittas’ tendency to overexert, and that still imparts a challenge; a class that cools the fire of the body mind, while encouraging their bright spirit.

In Ayurveda, "Kapha" types are physically more round, calm and steady. They can handle a class that creates heat through vigorous activity and bold movement, as their imbalance causes a sluggish digestive system and a build-up of phlegm in the lungs.

Perhaps the most difficult dosha to balance are the "vatas." A typical vata is long-limbed, with dry skin and hair, often suffers from nervous disorders and arthritis, and is sometimes flighty or spaced out. Vatas are challenged by cold climates, excessive noise, speed, travel, and irregular routines. They need a calming Yoga class, a quiet, nurturing approach, with no competitive edge.

It’s clear that one size does not fit all, and we need to pay more attention to our approach to the asanas. The Ayurveda system for balancing the self is applied for health and well being, but is also the practice of a body/mind/heart ecosystem that is one with the rest of the world, and that seeks to function therein accordingly. These seem to me to be essential aspects of Yoga, pointing up the depths of the practice. If we take a lesser approach, we may become physically fit, but miss a great opportunity and even thwart our own limited goals through injury.

Asana and Injury
I recently asked several physiotherapists and chiropractors if they have noticed a rise in injuries due to Yoga, given its current boom, to which they answered yes, undoubtedly. Everything from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in the wrists (improper down dogs), foot problems (improper placement in standing poses), and neck injuries (inappropriate shoulder stands). In my own work as a Yoga therapist, many people come to me with chronic low back pain due to losing the curve there (tucking the pelvis under in order to keep the belly flat). We can expect some injuries, of course, due to the popularity of Yoga, but they certainly reintroduce the thorny issue of teacher training and ongoing professional development.

If Yoga is to continue to be the practice of wholeness and union it traditionally has been, and if we are going to be able to bring such a powerful practice meaningfully into modern life, we need to treat it as much more than a purely physical discipline for health and fitness, perhaps with a passing nod to "spirituality". Even in the purely physical aspect of it we need to be careful we are applying the asanas properly and safely. An extensive teacher training that explores various styles and aspects of the tradition, ideally with several worthy teachers, is essential. But it is only a starting point. Yoga is a vast tradition we should be in the process of making personal, and that process is lifelong.

Kate Potter is a Yoga teacher and Yoga therapist, working in Vancouver. She works at Denman Yoga, and out of her own studio, where she creates personalized yoga programs for clients. Her up coming retreats include Yoga at sites in Howe Sound, Hawaii, and India. Visit her web site at www.katepotteryoga.com




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