Dedicate Your Practice.
/Dear Yogis,
Last week I was making a point of inviting people to ‘dedicate their practice’ to someone who might need a helping hand. How should you get your head around this idea? Well, call to mind the more difficult aspects of the practice – Boat Pose, countless Vinyasas, Crow Pose, Wheel Pose. Now imagine that you redirect your attention and focus on letting the effort be for someone you love.
By sending your positive energy outward, you shift your practice from physical to mindful, from ego to non-ego. You dedicate the fruits of your labour to someone else. This is very Eastern in philosophy. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras name five ‘observances’ (Niyamas), one of which is Ishvara pranidhāna, devotion and surrender to a higher power. Bhakti Yoga, discussed in the Bhagavad Gita, is the yoga of love and devotion. I’ve heard Christians say: ‘Give the glory to God’. How beautiful!
In Buddhist thought, I was brought up with the idea of 'transferring merit'. This is like building up a bank account of good deeds and actions. But, like Dolly Parton, you don't hoard it for yourself. You give it away. I transfer like crazy to Mum but last week was Steve Wright’s birthday so I sent some his way.
In your yoga practice, if you believe that we all share one consciousness, that we are all interconnected, then perhaps the object of our thoughts can feel your dedication.
Classes
Well, weather change means that we are likely to be practicing in the studio more than on the decking from now on. Sunset is at 7.49; this time next week another 10 minutes will be knocked off our daylight. The descent into winter has begun and it’s more important than ever to be moving and exercising, keeping the body strong and supple.
Talking of supple, our next Restorative/Yin yoga class is this Friday 6.30-8.00. Come and have a lie-down.
Mon, Tues & Wed evenings = Stretchy yoga at 7.00-8.00pm – this is the popular one with a bit of Yin.
Friday morning = Ashtanga at 8.30-9.30am – this is the more ‘dynamic’ one.
Friday evening = Yin and Restorative Yoga – 6.30-8.00pm – A proper unwind – fortnightly.
Saturday morning = Ashtanga at 8.30 – 10.00am – this is the longer ‘dynamic’ one.
Sunday morning = Yoga-For-Strength at 8.30 – 10.00am – this is Ashtanga with push-ups and weights.
And, by the way, you can post a google review of my classes here.
Yoga in the News
Women's Health has: Julie Andrews, 90, still exercises almost every morning thanks to this routine: ‘I feel like in my 50s’. ‘‘I work out as little as I can for as much gain as I can. Yoga and a little bit of ballet – only 30 or 40 minutes every other day. I keep supple for myself more than for roles.’ ‘Yoga and stretching have always been a priority for her – not just as a response to ageing or stiffness, which may explain why, at 88, she's still able to exercise nearly every morning.’
The Times of India has: Sitting all day at work? These 5 simple yoga poses can help ease stiff hips, tight shoulders and a tired. ‘The problem is not just discomfort. The World Health Organization (WHO) links higher amounts of sedentary behaviour with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Its 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour also recommend limiting sedentary time and replacing it with movement whenever possible’.
Yoga in Comedy
@Comedydynamics has: Zarna Garg on Western Yoga (I love her!)
#Godfrey, comedian and actor known for his roles in Zoolander and Soul Plane, on post-yoga posture and the type of people who do yoga.
