Yoga Corner:  Listen to Your Body

By Wilderness Cowan, CYT

The word Yoga means “union” in Sanskrit, this union involving the oneness between the mind and body. Yoga is about creating body awareness and cultivating a connection to your mind that allows you to see your higher self in a clearer light. It is also about compassion, learning to listen to your limits and having the courage to respect them. As a yoga instructor, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of listening to your body on and off the mat. A yoga instructor is there to guide you through a suggested practice, but first and foremost, it is important that you become an advocate for your own body by giving yourself the power of doing what is right for you.

This is easier said than done when confronted with your ego during a practice. Our egos have a tendency to tell us to try harder, push more, and be better than the person next to you. It is important to put this ego aside and focus on listening to what your body is telling. Pay attention, because your body has different ways of telling you when something is not right. If you are in a pose that is hurting your knee, for example, do not stay there just because the teacher told you to do this pose or because others in the class seem to be doing it.

Look for and begin to recognize the signs and symptoms of your body telling you to back off. If you are in a pose and notice you are clenching your teeth, holding your breath, or furrowing your brow, back out of the pose just enough to find where you can be strong in the pose and feel a sense of ease at the same time. Any part of your mind and body that is not working to keep you in the pose should be calm and relaxed creating that union of strength in the body and focus in the mind.

This idea of respecting and listening to your body is so important in yogic philosophy that it has a name, Ahimsa (pronounced uh-him¬-sah). In Sanskrit it literally means non-violence. In relation to your physical yoga practice it refers to being kind to yourself and your body in order to avoid harm. Yoga is not a contest or comparison and it is called yoga practice, not yoga perfect, for a reason. Be patient, because every day is going to be different for you, something that you could do yesterday or last week may not be what your body needs today. Respect your needs, learn to listen to your body, and come to your practice with the confidence that you have the tools to bestow what is best for you right now, and release that which does not serve you.

Namaste