The Shape of Yoga

I rarely post newsletters as part of the blog… This one seemed like it could use more time out there:

The balance between body and mind is one of our largest challenges. Language is used to create evenness and understanding, yet it is vacillating. The desire to push forward deserves a comfortable seat of representation in our yoga and spiritual communities — a position where we sit and listen. 

It is common to state that through the body, you direct the mind. Or that if you control the breath, you can direct the mind which in turn controls the body. However, this is the not the common message in the classroom (practice room? studio?).  Instead, we are met with lip service to watered-down and cherry-picked concepts offered through overexertion. If we have to earn relaxation through asana, how is this beneficial? How is this listening?

The Ancient Greeks trained the mind and body out of civic duty rather than lifestyle. We attempt this training with the classical theory of yoga yet miss the balance, leading to further investigation into the superficial. We lift each other up by our accomplishments and busyness instead of supporting each other in the world that surrounds us individually. 

Magical thinking and suffering go hand in hand. Intentions, manifestations and resources are make believe. The measurement of truth is in equanimity of mind and body. 

If asana is the first component of yoga and aimed at steadiness, health and lightness, why is individual energy heavy, erratic and in flux? 

A sense of control is completely illusory when we manipulate everything around us to mold to our perception. We control food, strive for postures and all that is external, and skip the parts of yoga that involve deep inner listening. Our efforts rest in control over that which does not move spirit or that inner aspect of ourselves.

This can be partially due to our inclination that yoga is about some form of physical mastery rather than a balance in energy.

Communities and educators, where we are searching to understand this balance,  feel exclusive, To be included, one may feel that they often have to be a particular way, wear specific attire or think accordingly. 

Think of this for a moment:  doing yoga to be a become a better person in society and forming dynamic relationships in all communities, and not isolating yourself in a community. Somewhere in that space, there is healing, gains to our personal abundant energy and conversation (true rhetoric) where we arrive at the results from practice, reflection and not knowing.