Your Edge Is Where the Practice Begins

“Discipline is the highest form of self-love.” ~ unknown

Have you ever been in a yoga class, watched your instructor explain the peak posture for the day, and thought, "Why the hell are we doing this?" Or, what the heck does this actually have to do with yoga as a practice? OR…I’m never going to be able to do this pose. 

I know there have been a few moments as an instructor and student when at least one of these thoughts has crossed my mind. Then I am reminded of the third Niyama, tapas, or self-discipline. The asana (physical) practice of yoga is only one aspect of the eight-limb path designed to bring its practitioners to full spiritual enlightenment. However, in the Western world we often lead with the physical practice and sprinkle in the other foundations of yoga sporadically.

My opinion, unpopular or not, is that if we begin to incorporate the fullness of yoga into our teaching style, we’ll give students perspective on why standing on your head can be a spiritual connection to your higher self. I believe this will help us better understand how the journey to a complex posture, when done with ahimsa (non-harming), can reflect tapas and self-love.

In a social media-driven world, where complex postures are the ones getting the most attention, I always encourage my students to understand that the journey to those poses is just as important as reaching them. There is a bevy of lessons that can be learned in trying and failing. Likewise, the strength, endurance, and fortitude (both mental and physical) it takes to master these poses is the actual goal. It is those attributes that can be carried off our mats and into the rest of our lives.

This is why I always encourage my students and friends to at least try some variation of the peak posture in my classes. Though I know some people may never reach the pose for a variety of reasons, I always encourage them to try and find their edge. As an instructor, I understand an individual’s ability to perform arm balances, inversions, and poses requiring deep flexibility isn’t what defines their yogic practice. Yet, I also acknowledge it is my duty to encourage them out of their comfort zones, teach them the principles behind the full practice of yoga, and ultimately help my students grow both on and off their mats.

In a world that’s in constant disarray, this Millennial Burnout needs a safe place for growth and self-discovery. That’s what yoga has been for me over the past sixteen years, and it’s what I hope people experience taking my classes as well.