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In Stillness we find Strength!
Plenty of yoga classes focus on flexibility and slow movement but the whole meaning of the word “asana” is seat.
A posture should be a firm, stable seat in which to sit, whether it’s on the arms, hands, one foot, both feet or even the head!
It is in the long holding of the postures that great transformations take place in both the body and even more so, the mind.
I say mind rather than body because if you tend to focus on something using the mind, you notice every little detail, possibly your mind can interpret what it thinks it should, not what it actually does, mind over matter.
An example of this even as a child can be when you fall over and don’t feel bad, but then you see blood from a cut and break down into tears!
Or when you don’t feel well and when someone points out you look ill, suddenly you feel worse!
As far as time is concerned in yoga practice, if you are waiting for a countdown you will automatically be thinking “how much longer”.
Asana means “seat”, a seat is a comfortable, sturdy hold, a strong asana means a stable seat which will not collapse with time or turbulence in both body and mind matters.
The longer holding postures build strength in both body and mind, as the body is being pushed to its limits and moving out of its comfort zone, there is no alternative but to adapt physically and mentally.
This longer holding also allows you to relax in a posture and deepen the stretch. With this type of class all aspects of strength, stillness and flexibility is increased.
The postures here will normally be held between 5-25 mins!
Plenty of yoga classes focus on flexibility and slow movement but the whole meaning of the word “asana” is seat.
A posture should be a firm, stable seat in which to sit, whether it’s on the arms, hands, one foot, both feet or even the head!
It is in the long holding of the postures that great transformations take place in both the body and even more so, the mind.
I say mind rather than body because if you tend to focus on something using the mind, you notice every little detail, possibly your mind can interpret what it thinks it should, not what it actually does, mind over matter.
An example of this even as a child can be when you fall over and don’t feel bad, but then you see blood from a cut and break down into tears!
Or when you don’t feel well and when someone points out you look ill, suddenly you feel worse!
As far as time is concerned in yoga practice, if you are waiting for a countdown you will automatically be thinking “how much longer”.
Asana means “seat”, a seat is a comfortable, sturdy hold, a strong asana means a stable seat which will not collapse with time or turbulence in both body and mind matters.
The longer holding postures build strength in both body and mind, as the body is being pushed to its limits and moving out of its comfort zone, there is no alternative but to adapt physically and mentally.
This longer holding also allows you to relax in a posture and deepen the stretch. With this type of class all aspects of strength, stillness and flexibility is increased.
The postures here will normally be held between 5-25 mins!
