Below, guest writer and fellow Asheville yoga teacher, Ryan Conrad, responds to the recent article on Yogananymous, "6 Reasons to Stop Obsessing Over Alignment in Yoga Class" . Ryan maintains a sustained, daily practice of Iyengar-influenced alignment-based yoga, is a doctor of physical therapy, and teaches regular (very popular) classes at One Center Yoga Sundays 10-11:30 (All levels) and Tuesdays 4-5:30 (Intermediate Level II/III). He also is on staff for the teacher trainings at Asheville Yoga Center and assists in Lillah Schwartz's 500 hour teacher training as a mentor. Ryan has been a consistent friend and mentor in my own journey as a student and teacher. I can't thank him enough for his insight, careful direction and expertise.
It is possible to have a asana practice that is purely physical, where one sweats, stretches and strengthens the body. However, when one is truly practicing yogic asana within the constructs of ashtanga yoga, or the 8 limbed path to union, the asana can be used as a mindfulness practice that develops one’s awareness. This grants the yogi the ability to practice some of the subtle aspects of yoga such as dharana (concentration, focus) and dhyana (meditation). If a practitioner is fortunate and determined then this path will result in samadhi (profound meditation or union between the observer and the observed).
Alignment principles can reduce the risk of injury, but certainly do not eliminate them. Injury can occur during asanas if one is not fully engaged in what is happening at the present moment. The key is practicing contentment and acceptance of where your practice is, and what your body is ready for in the present moment while continuing to delve deeper.
Asana is a wonderful place to begin our practice of self study. Asana initially deals with the physical sheath of the self, the annamaya kosha. However, if you set the correct intention and are keenly focused you can begin to observe the way in which the adjusting of the physical sheath requires the mental sheath (manomaya kosha) to participate, and how these adjustments affect the pranamaya kosha (energetic sheath). The adjustments that a practitioner makes are continually in the process of refinement, and become simultaneously more subtle and profound. This builds wisdom, and a greater understanding of our true self while using asana as the platform.
15 minutes is a rather short amount of time to spend of a posture as complex as Tadasana. As a yogi stays in the posture it is important to observe the physical, mental and energetic changes that occur over time. Does the body become heavy or revert to previous habits? Does the mind begin to rebel and categorize the work as “boring”?This yoga stuff is tough work and sometimes understanding how to work with that which is the most difficult can be the most rewarding and insightful in a lifetime of sustained practice.
The concept of everyone having unique anatomy is interesting. I do agree that each individual has had different life experiences and genetics that have created a unique physical and mental body. However, except for a small percentage of people with anatomical abnormalities, people have the same number of vertebrae with similar desired curves of the spine, and a similar shape to the bones of the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis and skull. As a yoga teacher it is important to observe a student’s current alignment to help guide them towards adjustments that will serve their individual needs to resolve pain, promote well-being and allow the mind to focus with less effort.
Yogic knowledge has always been intended to be transmitted from teacher to student. Yoga class can be an opportunity for students to practice with a teacher providing verbal cues, and yes sometimes these alignment cues can be many. However, yoga class deserves to be different than an individual’s yoga practice. When you are being guided by a quality teacher, they can verbally or manually direct the student towards a profound experience where the student gains insight into their blind spots and weaknesses on many levels. That information that the student receives must then be taken and transformed into knowledge and wisdom by practicing what has been taught and coming to their own conclusions through the fires of one’s own practice.
At any point in time in a practice a posture is correct and incorrect until the practitioner is able to practice in an uninterrupted state of samadhi. Then the practice becomes completely correct. Until that time there is always work to be done and a greater awareness of the self that can be gained. This, in my opinion, makes an alignment-based practice truly a practice of the curious seeker that is dedicated to building greater wisdom.
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| Drawing by R. Brook Priddy Conrad |
Alignment principles can reduce the risk of injury, but certainly do not eliminate them. Injury can occur during asanas if one is not fully engaged in what is happening at the present moment. The key is practicing contentment and acceptance of where your practice is, and what your body is ready for in the present moment while continuing to delve deeper.
Asana is a wonderful place to begin our practice of self study. Asana initially deals with the physical sheath of the self, the annamaya kosha. However, if you set the correct intention and are keenly focused you can begin to observe the way in which the adjusting of the physical sheath requires the mental sheath (manomaya kosha) to participate, and how these adjustments affect the pranamaya kosha (energetic sheath). The adjustments that a practitioner makes are continually in the process of refinement, and become simultaneously more subtle and profound. This builds wisdom, and a greater understanding of our true self while using asana as the platform.
15 minutes is a rather short amount of time to spend of a posture as complex as Tadasana. As a yogi stays in the posture it is important to observe the physical, mental and energetic changes that occur over time. Does the body become heavy or revert to previous habits? Does the mind begin to rebel and categorize the work as “boring”?This yoga stuff is tough work and sometimes understanding how to work with that which is the most difficult can be the most rewarding and insightful in a lifetime of sustained practice.
The concept of everyone having unique anatomy is interesting. I do agree that each individual has had different life experiences and genetics that have created a unique physical and mental body. However, except for a small percentage of people with anatomical abnormalities, people have the same number of vertebrae with similar desired curves of the spine, and a similar shape to the bones of the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis and skull. As a yoga teacher it is important to observe a student’s current alignment to help guide them towards adjustments that will serve their individual needs to resolve pain, promote well-being and allow the mind to focus with less effort.
Yogic knowledge has always been intended to be transmitted from teacher to student. Yoga class can be an opportunity for students to practice with a teacher providing verbal cues, and yes sometimes these alignment cues can be many. However, yoga class deserves to be different than an individual’s yoga practice. When you are being guided by a quality teacher, they can verbally or manually direct the student towards a profound experience where the student gains insight into their blind spots and weaknesses on many levels. That information that the student receives must then be taken and transformed into knowledge and wisdom by practicing what has been taught and coming to their own conclusions through the fires of one’s own practice.
At any point in time in a practice a posture is correct and incorrect until the practitioner is able to practice in an uninterrupted state of samadhi. Then the practice becomes completely correct. Until that time there is always work to be done and a greater awareness of the self that can be gained. This, in my opinion, makes an alignment-based practice truly a practice of the curious seeker that is dedicated to building greater wisdom.
