“if you have a problem in your body, your body will naturally move away from it in order to avoid pain and discomfort”- Dr. Jason Skolar, chiropractor.
“tapah-svadhyaya-Isvara-pranidhanani kriya-yogah:
In order to practice being whole, an inner fire, constant study, and a devotion to things spiritual are required” – Patanjali Sutra 11.1, translation Kofi Busia
“By practicing yoga with a warrior’s courage and an infant’s vulnerability, we can embrace stiffness and flexibility, likes and loathings, the sunlit and moon-shadowed” – Ronnie Paul, Yoga With An Attitude, Yoga International Magazine
It has taken me awhile to process my 21 day trikonasana (triangle pose) challenge. As a Yoga teacher, I will tell you it is neither my first nor my last. I hold the belief that I cannot teach what I have not yet practised, so I often put myself into these challenges, to see what I can learn and at some point, my experience as a student of myself usually becomes fertiliser for teaching others. I also believe consistency, ritual, and repetition are foundations of transformation.
-elongates and strengthens your spine
-brings flexibility to back muscles
-tones legs
-helps balance liver, kidney, spleen function
-powerful pose that can help build strength/determination.
Week 1 was not too easy. I hated trying to breathe into a very uncomfortable right hip. I hated being tight. I thought I should be a model for Yoga Journal not feeling like the only Yogini on earth to be leaning on a wall in order to get to the other side of this investigation. However, I kept at it, making sure I was warmed up enough to hold it for about 1.5 minutes per side, breathing comfortably and steady on my feet. Relaxed while monitoring and being aware of tension is VALUABLE. I learned a lot about pain signals and discomfort. These are important cues for instinct management in daily life, don’t you think? The body has a language of its own, and the breath is a barometer of stress/emotions. The thoughts and feelings that surfaced were interesting to me, and I journalled a lot to bring stored tension to light.
Week 2 was less physically uncomfortable. I moved from the wall variation to the support of two blocks. I discovered I had been trying to move into it with the wrong part of my anatomy because of certain weaknesses. I discovered that what propels me forward is not focusing on my strengths, but improving these weaker, tighter parts with ahimsa (loving kindness). I found that bit by bit the body was opening its doorways. There was a moment when I thought ok, well I got what I came for, let’s move on…but 21 days means just that. Onward.
Week 3 was so informative. I had a rhythm by then, my body looked forward to the stretch, and I noticed my mind, not having to focus on tension -past, present, future- experienced the sense of meditation in motion where you are not so much “doing” the posture as “being” it…I call it effortless effort. Frankly, I have better mobility than ever and have let go of so much tension, I feel much freer overall.
I have arrived at the point where I can leave the discipline of ‘having’ to do this posture, and now am staying present when I practise, not simply to what variation will work for me, but whether it is a necessary choice in that moment. I think avoiding based on laziness, fear or ‘certainty’ of failure is not an option for me. My tensions have been the bearer of some great wisdom for me. I wish for you the same positivity on your journey of transformation. Stay safe,
Om shanty shanty shanty,
Rana
Rana Waxman is a registered yoga therapist ERYT-500, with 20 years of teaching experience. Rana is a freelance writer and social media expert in addition to leading yoga workshops internationally and teaching alignment focused private and group Yoga Lessons in Hoboken and Jersey City NJ.
