A student who came to my power yoga class commented that even though the poses we did were all “basics,” the class was really challenging.
She observed that even the “basic” poses are hard when you take time to focus on alignment and you hold them for a little longer.
That was my intention when creating the sequence for the class.
As a teacher, I try to create classes that are accessible to all students, and that challenge the mind as well as the body.
As one of my teachers said, yoga is not just “workout” — it’s a work-in.
My students’ feedback on my classes affirms a fundamental principle of yoga — and life in general.
The Myth of “Advanced” Yoga
You don’t need crazy “advanced” poses or complicated transitions to have a challenging “power” class.
In fact the whole idea of “advanced” poses is contrary to the underlying philosophy of yoga.
Yoga — at least the physical practice, which is what most people know as “yoga” — is the practice of moving with the breath.
It’s about your ability to stay present with the movement and in the pose.
The poses are merely tools that give us information about the body and mind.
“Advanced” yoga isn’t about how much you can contort your body or how complicated you can make the transitions between poses. It’s not about how quickly you can flow through a sequence.
For someone who can create the shapes with their bodies easily, “advanced” yoga is the ability to refine the basics while staying present.
If you get bored by the basics, then your yoga practice is about noticing where your mind goes when you get “bored.” It’s about staying present and finding the new subtleties in the poses.
Notice Your Desire for “More”
It’s common to strive for “more” — whether it’s more complexity, difficulty, or more things to do. When we achieve something that we believe is complicated, we get a surge of dopamine from the thrill of the accomplishment.
Who doesn’t love the feeling of finally holding their balance in an arm balance or kicking up into a handstand for the first time?
It’s great to have goals to strive for.
That said, don’t underestimate the power — and difficulty — of basics.
As my student realized, “simple” things are not always easy to do well.
Beyond the Yoga Mat
This applies beyond the yoga mat.
Yoga is just a place where our life habits get revealed.
In yoga, in relationships, in business, in any endeavor — in all of life — the basics are harder than they seem.
Most of us do not execute or implement the basics well on a consistent basis.
Doing the basics with good technique and consistency over a long span of time can produce incredible results.
Consider the impact of consistent exercise, proper nutrition, and sleep on your health.
Consider the impact of daily outreach and consistent follow up on your relationships and your business.
Consider the impact of showing up daily to share your work.
It’s easy to get derailed by the desire for fancy tools or the thrill of getting your body into that more complicated pose, but that’s your ego.
The point of yoga is to put the ego aside, to have a conversation with your body.
Build a Solid Foundation
In yoga, in relationships, in business — and in every other realm of life — I’ve seen people build the illusion of great things only to watch them crumble when the load got too heavy.
The basics provide the foundation on which everything else can be built sustainably.
Basics don’t have to be boring.
There is power in simplicity.
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