Let's get physical

Often a common misconception about yoga is that it makes people purely bendy or you have to be bendy to do it. The physical yoga postures, when practiced in a balanced way, not only allow us to become more flexible but also strong and in balance.

We can begin from any point and any age but we have to physically practice for the allowing and changes to happen. When the body is flexible, strong and in balance, this has a positive effect on the non-physical. We become freer in the way we think, perceive and create. We transform the physical and at the same time transform the non-physical – our minds. It works vice a versa too. If we change the way we think the physical also transforms. They are one of the same!

I attended a day workshop recently with Prem and Heather (advanced practitioners of Ashtanga yoga) at The Yoga Sessions. Prem was saying that the ‘secret’ behind asana (postures) is that they show us how to go beyond the physical but we have to begin there. “Continual presence with our physical yoga practice allows the mind to be on one thing rather than always looking for something new to chew on”.

I find that my posture practice paths the way for the day and days ahead. Being physically aware allows us to be more mindful in the way we think, what we say and how we interact.

So let’s get physical!

On my quest for the freestanding handstand, the posture incorporates all three physical key components of yoga. Flexibility of the wrists (we’ve looked at in recent weeks), balance to stay there and strength of the arms, shoulders, lower bandhas (abdomen and pelvic floor). The stronger we feel, the lighter and more balanced we become.

Two things we’ve been doing this week and to practice over Easter:


1. Physical to non physical
a. Come to down dog facing away from a wall, i.e heels close to the wall and lift one leg up behind until your toes touch the wall, press into your toes and lift the leg off the floor. Let the leg swing from side to side and feel the strength in your arms. Repeat with other leg.
b. take both legs from the floor and feel strength in your arms.
c. come a little close to the wall and repeat (a + b)
d. come to a seated position with your but up against the wall and legs out straight in front. Place a book up against your heels. Keep the book there as you take your feet away and place your finger tips touching the edge of the book. Bring your feet to the wall so body is making a right angle. Much stronger. Also feel how strong the bandhas are (abdomen and pelvic floor drawing in and up - particularly on the out breath).
e. lift one leg away from wall with foot towards ceiling. Repeat with other leg.



These exercises have come from my teacher, Zoe Knott. We regularly do them in class and if you practice them at home, you’ll be amazed at how your body strengthens and your confidence grows.




2. Non physical transforming the physical
When practising balance, focus on the positive moments, i.e. the moments of balance and not on the toppling, wobbling. If we concentrate our minds on the positive glimpses of balance, the glimpses become moments and then the space between the moments become less until we’re balancing – it really works!

“The physical body is not something separate from our mind. The practice of yoga teaches us to live fully – physically and spiritually. There is no progress towards freedom without transformation and this is the key in our lives”. B.K.S Iyengar, Light on Life

P.S Enjoy your Easter chocolate, with love, Deena x