I went to a new yoga class this morning. One of the teachers at Willow Street Yoga, who teaches a two hour advanced class on Saturday mornings, is leaving after this term. I hadn't been to her class before, and didn't want to miss the opportunity to experience it.
The class was challenging - the pace and approach different enough to require extra energy and concentration. It was a test for my right hand, to see how it would respond to more demands - the most I've attempted since hurting it two weeks ago.
Yoga presents opportunities to find balance. There is the balance of the body in gravity, which is a factor in every standing pose, and especially in arm balances or standing on one leg.
There is the balance of strength and flexibility - contracting a muscle in order to stretch it safely. There is the balance of effort and ease, which is monitored through awareness of the breath. When I work too hard, it shows up in strained, labored breath.
And there is the mental balance needed to engage in discomfort, putting the body and mind under stress so it will adapt and strengthen, but not so much stress as to cause injury.
Along with the asana, or physical postures, this class incorporated more breathing and meditation practices than are typical in my other classes. The techniques were familiar to me, but the extent they were incorporated was different.
I'm happy that I took the class. My hand held up well, giving me more confidence to continue to ease back into more challenging weight bearing poses.
I thought it might be a different experience - and it was - giving me a new path to consider as continue to explore the world of yoga. I learned several new variations to work on - some more opportunities to find balance in practice and in life.
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