1st Principle of Yoga

Wow, so this is my first ever Blog. Deciding what to write today is easy. Why not remember my own advise to my students and begin with the first principle of Yoga. "Begin where you are". I wrote this article originally in 2006 and it still holds true everyday. So here it is;

"This is the first principle of Yoga practice and it’s so important to an effective practice. Each time you come to yoga practice, whether at home or in class, you will be in a different place in your body, mind & spirit.

Let’s say for example, that last week everything went well with your home & business life and in Yoga class you were stretching further than ever before and staying longer in a Warrior pose than ever before. Then, yesterday you hurt your knee and have just completed a long time job contract, your car needs new brakes and you’re thinking about moving. Wow, things have changed since last week.

So, when you come to Yoga practice, begin where you are. Forget the past. Start where you are today. Take a few minutes to observe and listen to your body. Take into account, not only your injured knee, but where are you emotionally.

Beginning where you are, you can make adjustments to poses, rest longer between poses and be gentle. Don’t push yourself further than what is comfortable. Take time during warm-ups to gently work in an attentive way. You will learn what your body needs. Maybe some poses should be avoided. Maybe others will be helpful. Maybe you just need to shorten the time holding a pose and lengthen the time in resting poses. (Little Boat, Child Pose & Rag Doll forward bend are good resting poses) Doing this you will still gain from your practice, avoid further injury and be able to relax and ease your mind & spirit. You will be rested and rejuvenated.

Of course, we could also flip the scenario, and maybe this is the practice that will take you further and deeper into poses. So, whether you’re in class or at home, doing a long practice or planning to work on only 1 or 2 poses, take a few minutes to listen and learn what your body is saying and begin where you are."