Strength vs. Softness in Asana practice
Just like life itself, our Yoga practice is also a game of balancing strength and softness, pushing forward and letting go. I often see it as an invitation to welcome both of these states and not resisting to any of them.
In the early stages of their practice, many Yoga practitioners will hold on to this image and goal oriented attitude of perceiving the perfect posture as the goal. But Yoga is more of an introspective practice; it is about how it feels, not how it looks. With constant care and attention, it is advised to always go back to the basic principles of Yoga, of the natural unfolding of the practice, through a harmonious connection between body and mind. This idea, to embrace being strong and active, yet soft and still, is a key principle of Yoga.
As recommended in Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, an acient collection of texts and aphorisms on Yoga theory and practice, ideally our posture (asana) in meditation should be stable and steady (sthira) as well as pleasant, comfortable (sukha), actively using our breath to anchor ourselves, in order to reach Samadhi, a higher state of consciousness and mental clarity. We can expand this principle also considering the posture practice of a Yoga class but even outside the class. Sthira and Sukha are opposites, but equally important qualities to develop in both the practice of Yoga and in our lives. One important implication of the Sthira, Sukha asana practice is that we take each posture to its natural edge, without pushing beyond our possibilities. We enter the pose with intention, readjusting to find that safe alignment. We maintain the pose while easing into the intensity of it. Sthira, the more yang quality of effort and holding, works the body and invites the mind to become focused, still and deep. Sthira reminds us to be committed, to find a way to show up for life and welcome challenges with integrity. Sukha, the more yin quality of ease, simplicity or effortlessness, relaxes the body and lets the mind expand. Sukha allows us to reach our edge and relax there without frustration or irritation, it does not constrict nor it sets expectations. What we aim for is an increased awareness of ourselves, of the whole body, mind and heart. Once we know how to dance between these two extremes, energy can move freely throughout the body, the breath gets deeper, effortless and more expansive, and the poses feel more sustainable, more fluid and expressive. We are in sync with our true nature and the large web of nature from all around us. Think of the body as an integrated whole; notice when one side of the body is being pushed too much, overpowering the other side, when balance from within is being threatened. Asanas are an experience that involve the whole body, from the lips and muscles of the face, to the joints and feet and toes.
Within poses it is important to seek out a balance between strength and softness. We can look at the key body parts involved while maintaining a Yoga pose and then check in where in our body we still hold unecessary tension. Notice perhaps if there is any mental stress that does not allow for a deeper settling in the pose or for more presence. For example, in sitting poses the spine needs to be strong and upright and our legs, soft and relaxed. On the other hand, in standing poses our legs need to be strong and grounded but our upper body has to maintain itself soft. Always inquiring with a curious and open mind, moving in consciousness. A stable state of mind is also paramount to the practice; becoming aware of our thoughts or emotions but not getting affected by them, rather seeing them passing by like clouds in the sky. Any resistance in thoughts can potentially create more tension in the body and mind leading to frustration and even injury in time. Furthermore, a more consistent practice or skilled teacher (or both) can guide you, over time, into tapping into more body awareness, identifying this sense of both holding into and relaxing in each posture, increasing the duration or difficulty of a pose according to your own progress.
Practicing asana with comfort and steadiness leads to control of the body, mind and senses, an increase in wellbeing, a deeper more fulfilling practice and a wiser mental approach also off the mat. The way you show up on the mat is also a reflection sometimes of how you show up in life, it is like a mirror, where some habits of our lives that cause us suffering can appear here too. The rigidity or the softness in which we see ourselves, our lives and others around manifests in our physicality, in the way we talk, walk, engage with others, in the things that we can do or not. Cultivating more balance in our approach to life, observing whenever we are pushing ourselves too hard or when we are not fully showing our potential, this could be a precious everyday reminder. Learning more about how to navigate life, just like water, shaping ourselves as the situation requests us to do and respond in the best way possible: gentle and compassionate yet firm and present.
*********************************************************
