While in my pose of challenge, downward dog, my instructor will say "Now, move your hips upward and back. Pull your heels to the floor." My response whether internally or externally shared is always the same. . . "EITHER I can move my hips up and back, OR I can move my heels to the floor. Which would you prefer?" My instructor's response was "Both. You must do both. There is no either/or. There is no choice. You must move your hips up and back AND you must put your heels on the floor." Now, while it felt ridiculous and impossible, she was teaching me to have the goal in mind, and the intention--and to not be satisfied with something in between.
I find myself thinking about this frequently and in many areas of my life. Where in the past, I'd quickly make decisions based on either/or, or tell others they needed to choose either/or, I now find myself looking for ways to achieve both goals, instead of choosing between them or some lesser form of them. While I may not achieve it right away, I have the goal in mind, which guides the path.
I have been practicing yoga for a few years now, and more intensively the past two -- and today for the very first time was I able to get my heels to touch the floor while doing the pose correctly! It was just for a moment, but it was a great feeling of accomplishment to get a taste of something i'd come to believe was perhaps not possible for me. I wanted to share that! Any new breakthroughs in your practice? What are things you are hoping for/working toward?
Namaste & happy new week!
As money gets tighter, many of us are forced to cut back on non-essential items and expenses. My Iyengar instruction is so important to me, yet i often have a hard time rationalizing the expense when there are so many other pressing expenses with kids, house, life. My yoga class provides me with a wide variety of benefits like peace of mind, increased energy, strength, illness & injury prevention, and also gives me a place to expand my education about the world and a time for prayer and reflection. While i wish it weren't something I had to consider--it is important that we take time to consider what our practice means to us, and the value of what we received for our time and money invested. I wonder if this downturn in the economy will force many out of the studio. If this is the case for you. . . what a great time to develop your home practice. Everything I read about home practice describes it as the cornerstone of a lifelong yoga practice.
