"a vase, like a building, like a body, has two spaces - the one that it contains and the one that surrounds it. when we begin asana we worry about the shape of the pose, that is, how we look in the mirror, in other words, the space we exclude. by now we should be worrying about the space we include, the space within, for it is largely that which gives true life and beauty to the asana. it is called yoga svarupa - the self assuming its perfect form through yoga. that is achieved through the inner distribution of space. essentially that is how yogasana becomes effortless, with the natural beauty of molten gold being poured from a vat."
~ bks iyengar
i love love love this quote from light on life. for most of us, those not trained formally in dance or gymnastics, etc, the body can feel like a heavy weight that we're lugging around and attempting to manipulate. we don't occupy every bit of it, living mostly in our minds. we forget that the universe, or space, is always expanding, and that our physical bodies are made up mostly of space. that same energy of expansion is within us.
one of the best things about deepening my yoga practice has been becoming familiar with the inner space and the amazing and expansive nature of my inner self. through steady practice, meditation and effort i have begun to occupy each room in my house, spreading from my mind down throughout my body. when i want to move my foot for a giant step it is no longer being done from a distance. my mind is no longer yelling down the chain of command, 'hey leg, drag that thing up here' my mind is in my foot, and my leg, and everything moves as one.
to some people this is going to sound like some crazy hippy nonsense i know. and it's early, i'm still drinking my coffee; maybe not the best time to convey philosophical musings but what it comes down to is this: as you practice yoga shift your concern from how you look in the pose to how you feel in the pose. start to move from this inner feeling. all the things that are always being repeated, remember to breathe, be present, blah blah, they are all helpful tools to get you to
this moment
in life
in space.
which you are.
namaste bitches, xx.
~ bks iyengar
i love love love this quote from light on life. for most of us, those not trained formally in dance or gymnastics, etc, the body can feel like a heavy weight that we're lugging around and attempting to manipulate. we don't occupy every bit of it, living mostly in our minds. we forget that the universe, or space, is always expanding, and that our physical bodies are made up mostly of space. that same energy of expansion is within us.
one of the best things about deepening my yoga practice has been becoming familiar with the inner space and the amazing and expansive nature of my inner self. through steady practice, meditation and effort i have begun to occupy each room in my house, spreading from my mind down throughout my body. when i want to move my foot for a giant step it is no longer being done from a distance. my mind is no longer yelling down the chain of command, 'hey leg, drag that thing up here' my mind is in my foot, and my leg, and everything moves as one.
to some people this is going to sound like some crazy hippy nonsense i know. and it's early, i'm still drinking my coffee; maybe not the best time to convey philosophical musings but what it comes down to is this: as you practice yoga shift your concern from how you look in the pose to how you feel in the pose. start to move from this inner feeling. all the things that are always being repeated, remember to breathe, be present, blah blah, they are all helpful tools to get you to
this moment
in life
in space.
which you are.
namaste bitches, xx.
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