Let me ask you a question.
In Yoga class, do you always follow along with the teacher’s cues or demonstration?
Maybe you have an inner perfectionist or competitive edge. Then you may even try to follow exactly, as much as possible moving and positioning your body just as the instructor advises. During a class like that, have you ever felt a little inkling of rebellion?
Maybe the teacher cued to line up your heels in Warrior I, but you can’t help but wonder what it might feel like to step out wider. You’re feeling the effects of yesterday’s hike or airplane ride in your hips. If you just inch your right foot out a little further, and maybe dip your torso forward, then you might be able to get that oh-so-perfect stretch you’ve been craving! At that moment, what do you do? Do you stifle your intuition and keep following-along? Or do you follow your intuition and move differently than what the instructor may have cued? What do you think is more helpful for a holistic yoga practice?
My answer – follow your intuition.
Be open to feeling sensations in your body and then deciding how to move (or not move), and how to place yourself, based on what you feel would be most helpful for you at that moment. This is called Interoception and it’s a buzz word right now because scientists, teachers, and practitioners are observing the profound effects it can have on our holistic health.
That’s why I designed the new class, Freedom Flow. Because I want to hold space and provide a container for your practice while at the same time encourage a sense of freedom to move authentically and listen to your body-breath connections. In my classes, I hope you’ll make decisions based on what you feel you need at that moment. You’ll be encouraged to hear and nurture your inner guru, gaining confidence in your choices. You’re in control of your experience.
Your inner skeptic might ask, what if I do the posture wrong? Will I hurt myself?
My job as the teacher is to keep an eye out for safety, so I’ll let you know if something you’re doing could be dangerous. I’ll still be cueing and teaching the class, so it’s not like you’re completely left in the dark to figure things out on your own. But overall, be comforted that Yoga, in general, is a safe activity. In fact, you’re actually less prone to injury if you’re being more embodied and interoceptive while you practice. Basically, as your teacher, I’m here for you if you need me. But don’t take my suggestions too literally or think about them in a textbook sense. Instead, let my guidance come through as a sharing of ideas, maybe trying some of the things I offer but also moving in your own way. So please, go ahead and explore, and most importantly… be free!
Lokah Samastah Sukino Bhavantu ~ May All Beings in the World be Happy and Free.
Check it out! Krista is now offering the “Freedom Flow” every Wednesday from 5:30 – 6:45pm at the Be Free Healing Center in Ft. Collins! Click here for more details.
Leave a Reply