As a fitness-conscious individual, you will be first attracted towards the athletic nature of yoga. But I would like to remind you that Yoga isn’t just a practice, it’s an exploration. Our mats are playgrounds not battle fields- for us to explore how we do what we do.
Yoga is the Art of tolerating the consequences of Being Your True Self – Bhagavad Gita.
Yoga is not about the shape of your body, but the shape of your life. Yoga is not to be performed, it is to be lived. Yoga doesn’t’ care about what you have been, it cares about the person you are becoming. Yoga is designed for a vast and profound purpose and for it to be truly called Yoga, its essence must be embodied.
I often notice, students loving my intense hatha yoga classes. Every asana and their variations in the class is another opportunity for students to "do more" and "be more". I think their effort is to bring closer to a fitter, better version of themselves. My focus is to teach students to listen to their body and its needs, and not to feel pressurized to overly exert themselves. Some even take Child's Pose too seriously in the beginning! Once grips are loosened, its easy to realize that the poses are only the tip of the iceberg. When they begin to explore their own inner landscape, the transformative beauty of the practice unfurls. Now, they can find themself taking rest whenever they need it.
The poses are only a small part of yoga. Yoga includes: our responsibility towards own actions, self-discipline, breathing awareness, sense-control and meditation. Effortless concentration and interconnection along interdependence with the nature are the other parts of yogic practice. Yoga is not about exerting too much effort. It is a balance between effort and ease. Find your own pace and rhythm to gain strength and stability. Get into space for self-study. Yoga is an opportunity to meet yourself wherever you are. You might realize that you will be "better" once you can balance handstand on the mat, once you lose weight, or once you get a new job. Just try to be patient and be more gentle with yourself on a daily basis. Soon you will realize that you are the best version of yourself right now and Yoga is no more a practice but just a way of life !