Life is a stretch, frequently presenting last-minute,
unexpected change. Through our yoga practice we gain experience at
bending our bodies, our wills, and mind to any task with a certain
amount of equanimity and ease. One of the gifts of yoga is that it teaches
us that true flexibility means adapting to the change in every moment,
while maintaining a spirit of calm, devotion and love. Given the time and
attention we can create our own source of comfort. No matter what the
circumstances we can draw flexibility and strength from our practice
(and our community). This resource allows us tap into a powerful source
of personal energy composed of: physical resiliency, emotional
maturity, and spiritual optimism.
The great yoga master Krishnamacharya emphasized “Vinyasa” as an
artful approach to living and central to the transformative process of
yoga. “Vinyasa” literally means ‘linking a movement to the breath’, yet
also refers to progressive sequences that are led by the flow of the
breath pattern. These vinyasa sequences are considered ‘the sacred
dance of the yogis’ referring to the natural, deep rhythm of the breath
acting as the sacred beat. For Krishnamacharya, and his famous
students B.K.S. Iyengar, Bikram Choudry, and P. Jois, Vinyasa yoga is
focused on progressive sequences that unfold with an inherent harmony
and intelligence.
In life, and in Krishnamacharya’s “viniyoga”, we need to make a careful
assessment before we begin to determine our needs and then build a
complementary step-by-step practice to meet those needs. After
creating the foundation of our practice, paying attention to how we
begin, we can build our practice. We complete our practice, putting the
roof on, being sure we have carefully addressed our stated needs.
The flow of the breath, of life itself, and of a vinyasa practice is well-described by a sailing metaphor. All three require us to synchronize
natural forces that require skill and intuition. Before we take to the ‘sea’
we must assess the conditions; boat, wind, tides, waves. These
conditions constantly fluctuate, as do our physical, emotional, and
spiritual states. Then we are ready to build power, take determined
action, and tack with the wind as conditions change. If we get it together
we are in for a fabulous ride!
At the heart of this approach is the deep honoring and attention paid to
the individual. Although Iyengar, Bikram and Jois all came to develop
their own “brand” of yoga, the notion that any specific yoga prescription
can be given to any person is deeply counter to the teachings of
Krishnamacharya. He stated that the most important thing to remember
about a yogic practice is that “Yoga should be adapted to the
individual, not the individual to the yoga”.
Karen B. Cohen C.L.C. RYT500 is a wellness coach and master yoga instructor, writer and speaker residing in a college town in rural Virginia. Karen leads people to their own limitless supply of creativity and vitality so that they can express their talent and abilities fully in the world. She incorporates her expertise in mind-body techniques to work with a wide spectrum of clients. Karen provides seminars, workshops as well as individual coaching and training nationally and internationally.
For more information go to KarenCohenYoga.blogspot.com and RockbridgeCoaching.blogspot.com
