do your own thing

Block used in Bound Half Moon Pose

If you've practiced yoga before, you've surely heard a teacher encourage you to modify certain postures. Drop your knees here, use a block there and don't be afraid to look different. Yet so many students would rather huff and puff their way through an uncomfortable pose than look like a wuss or use a dreaded prop. Modifying seems to have such a terrible stigma!

We know that everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to their mind and body. There is no one universal diet, job, food, activity or music that is perfect for everyone and the same is true for yoga practice. Why on earth should all those different bodies look the same in any one posture? How many students are fighting through certain poses because he or she thinks that it should look a certain way or that modifying means "not good enough?" 

The real question comes down to this: do you want to practice yoga or do you want to look like you're "good at" yoga? The truth hurts. Literally. 

As a yoga practitioner and as an instructor, I ADORE seeing yogis do their own thing. It's very cool to notice someone binding a pose I wouldn't have thought to bind or heading back to Child's Pose because it feels good. But I think I die a little inside each time I see someone slamming through 12 mangled chaturangas during a sun salutation. *Note: there is a glaring and perceptible difference between having a fast-paced or spirited practice and a mindless, ego-driven practice.

When you're deeply connected to your practice, it's beautiful, quiet and obvious. Beautiful because it's creative, quiet because it's humble and obvious because it's so personal. You set a tone for those around you because you're so openly there for yourself and you're not afraid. When someone is practicing with the intention to look a certain way, it's sad because they're missing out and painfully conspicuous because they're not in control of their mind/ego. 

Spread the word: modifying is the real joy of yoga practice. Adapting each pose to make it your own means you're actually paying attention to yourself. Yoga injuries wouldn't exist in a world full of yoga blocks and rests in Child's Pose. Ever wonder how a yogi who's so "in shape" can end up with back problems, torn ligaments or knee replacements years later? Because something was wrong and they never sincerely listened. Get quiet. Know when to deepen, back off or completely stop. Pay attention to your body, your intuition, your instructors and your mind and you will learn something valuable from all of them.

#keepyogacozy