Do you remember your first yoga class? I do! I heard words and directions that were very new to me . . . I didn’t know if my hamstrings were on my arm or my leg! And what the heck was Warrior I versus Warrior II, let alone some things said in Sanskrit?
After a few classes, I soon realized that my low back issues were likely because I was a runner. Unbeknownst to me til that point, I discovered I had very tight quads & hip flexors, and well-strung hamstrings. In fact, the reason I decided to try yoga was because I didn’t have a clue about my muscles and joints, and due to running longer distances, little injuries started happening (like hamstrings, piri formis, IT band, all the usual suspects).
My first yoga class was a lightbulb moment.
I’d found a whole wealth of information and practice that I could learn from, and embrace in my life. I fell in love! Fast forward 17 years with 15 of those teaching yoga, and I’m still in a place of awe for the practices of mindful movement, pranayama, meditation and discovery!
I’m often reminded of my beginnings on this yogic path, when students new to yoga ask me questions. ‘How do I keep my knees down when sitting cross-legged?’ ‘Why do I feel so good after class?’ and my favourite, ‘What’s that bit at the end where we do nothing?’
Ahh, Savasana!
We are very conditioned to multi-task, be busy and productive, so for the most part of our yoga practice, it feels like we’re doing something. The teacher is directing pretty much every movement and position, cueing the breathing, guiding our thoughts a little too. Suddenly, at the end, we just lie down and don’t move, don’t have any instruction, and wait for what’s next! Eyes open is a good clue that this is new to a student, as well as a little twitching, peeking, shifting, not to mention the busy thoughts going on!
I’ve often also had students mention they’ve tried practicing Savasana at home, and it just doesn’t work, they can’t settle. ‘Did you do some physical and breathing practice prior?’ Ah, no.
Here’s the thing about Savasana.
It usually doesn’t work on it’s own (unless you’re a seasoned yogi). A well-rounded yoga practice has a theme and a structure of sequenced postures and breathing, so that you get into your body and out of the busy mind. You move into a state of Flow. If you don’t do the physical practice first, you aren’t prepared to sink into Savasana.
As one continues to practice yoga, every now and then you’ll get a taste of Yoga Nidra in Savasana. This is an almost indescribable state where your mind is calm, the body is still and relaxed, and your heart is peaceful. It’s an intersection between sleep and awake, where you’re not quite dreaming yet still faintly aware.
All this to say, yoga never fails to entice me to go further, explore different aspects of the practice, including philosophy, and the alchemy of energy.
I’d love to hear your experiences as you’ve followed your yoga path, please share!
Namaste ~
Sandy
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