So my first post on my new blog - yes I am slowly entering the 21st century. This post is a copy of an email I sent out to people attending my yoga classes. It is an attempt to explain my take on yoga. I Think this is a good place to start this blog- so here goes.
So, a few musings from me after some conversations I have
had recently regarding yoga. I will keep it as brief as possible.
In my classes over the last few weeks I have been discussing
the principle of efficient focused movement with control – as I write this it
occurs that this could actually describe my approach to yoga generally. This movement
approach must involve the brain and in many ways the brain is the key here.
The second reason for this little post is that a few people
have told me recently they have taken up yoga and have been going to some
classes. All of them were surprised how hard yoga can be. Now for me this is a
crucial point. When you look around the yoga world there is a lot of posts and info
about these relaxing, releasing, calming style classes. I recently did a facebook video more about that:
Yin, Yang, Yoga and Osteopathy
Yin, Yang, Yoga and Osteopathy
Now there is nothing per say wrong with this but in my world
and specifically in my day job as an osteopath I am here to improve the way our
bodies work. This we achieve through action and effort with treatment and
exercise (physical and mindfulness).
Now for me this means that yoga must be an active process “if
you want to lie on the floor for an hour you can do that at home!” 😊 A flippant comment I know, and I can certainly fully appreciate how wonderful yin style yoga can be - it's just not for me.
At the risk of turning up to and empty class I just wanted
to remind you about that. To improve anything, we need to put the effort in. This
doesn’t mean “no pain no gain” mindless effort - but rather this mindful/focused effort
between the body and mind. As you all know I try and progress the classes gradually
and this is where my new favourite analogy comes in – so for some of you this
will already be wearing thin, but here goes.
The Steam train analogy – we start the term shovelling coal on
and lightening the fire, building up stream, and as the pressure rises the
train starts to move and gather speed – you get the gist, I think.
This doesn’t mean you can’t dip in and out of classes as you
see fit but it does mean you will get more out of it by turning up regularly. But
as I always say to people come and go at will and rest when you need to.
This got a bit longer than I intended so well done if you
got to the end!
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