Tag Archives: safety

Safety in movement

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LOL! When in doubt :

-don’t

-modify

-ask for options

-think length, space, comfort versus pain, pinching, bone on bone friction, compression

-get personalized attention

-familiarize yourself with anatomy

-take responsibility

-slow down

-break it down into smaller steps

Patanjali, in the yoga sutras, explained that there are five causes of suffering, one of which is dvesa, aversion, or, revulsion, avoidance. I think this is a larger discussion, involving many personal considerations. Sometimes we avoid things we know will be dangerous, or, we are not ready to do them. At other times, we are just plain afraid, having perhaps imposed limitations which are not really there, we just don’t muster up the courage or right effort. To know what is what for yourself requires healthy introspection and self-reflection. This is a part of yoga practice. Knowing how to balance effort with ease, doing with being, and using intelligence and common sense. Injuries, in the end, do heal and we do learn from all that we do, but they also slow us down, add impediments to health, and create scar tissue. If you can get through practice with safety, I believe you are then enjoying sustainable yoga practice.

avoid injury

 

Are some poses meant for fun?

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In every pose, that which steadies is the breath. That being said, just because you are “deep breathing” doesn’t mean you are working within your safe stretching limits.

“the perfection of the body consists of (possessing) beauty, charm, strength, and the power of a thunderbolt” ~ Patanjali

Let us not forget discrimination, knowing how to listen to your body, your instincts and just practicality. Standing on your head, on a towel, with your neck bent  in a tripod headstand (see below) not smart.

Learning how to do this posture to release tight upper trapezius and gain core strength ~ Ah, now there is a reason to learn yoga as therapy – not as fun/performance art…No offense Marilyn, but I would not be smiling in your set-up. If this sounds remotely practical and way more sensible you should contact me for private yoga lessons

Marilyn Monroe -tripod headstand

Yoga Practice For Patience

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Now that I have relocated from Montreal to Jersey City, I am seeing just how fast-paced everything is!! Even Yoga.

All I know is that when impatience shows up on your mat, injury can prevail, and mindfulness can flounder.  There is something to be said, and this is why I love a Yapana® Yoga practice, to practicing skills to improve the way your body navigates the postures, from warm ups (vinyasa) to static/strength building and restorative/flexibility inducing ones.

Practicing patience is hard! We want outcomes. For my top 3 tips click HERE and let us today just add a slight pause here and there between breaths, during poses, activities ~ and affirm to yourself that all will be revealed
patience

no pain!

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pain is not gain

 

 

 

Remember Jane Fonda ? She coined the phrase “no pain no gain”. Well, in your yoga practice, pain is not gain. Here are a few review tips for practicing pain-free yoga

1. Embrace your experiences.
2. You are unique. Three people in the same class have different needs. Inform your teacher of any health concerns and/or seek qualified private instruction.
3. If you have any health concerns, are new to yoga or unsure about something, have questions, anything, take a private class.
4. Are you going into a yoga class with an old injury or weakness?
5. Are you easily distracted and miss directions?
6. Are you looking (secretly) to push yourself to the point of pain?
7. If you practice on your own, are you organic in your flow, or do you do go on autopilot?
8. A Teacher is a guide, but your own knowledge and instincts should override outside directions and you can and should be able to skip/omit/modify/rest
9. Go mindfully always.
10. Do your research. If your knees are stiff, but you are dying to do the lotus pose, read and see if there are contra-indications (there are). Be prepared to be appropriate in class, and consider whether the one “everyone” is doing is right for you. If you do Group classes, find one that feels right and stay present on your own mat.
Yoga is a system, not a sport. Most people need enough physical challenge to heal a tense body and calm a busy mind…the path of moderation and meditation awaits you.

yoga and safety

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“Yoga has its origins in the search for the spiritual and in primordial questions about the meaning of life.  The awareness that yoga is a spiritual practise whose roots are ancient gives our journey continuity, richness, and depth” -Esther Myers


“The problem with institutionalized yoga or textbook instruction is that the reality of a person’s life situation is not taken into account…The key to right teaching is in the adaptation of yoga to the individual, not the idividual to yoga” – T.K.V. Desikachar


“Yoga is not a standardised practise” – T.K.V. Desikachar

Lately much is in the news about yoga and safety. Continue reading →