In the midst of constant change, we crave stability. When things are too static, we want variety. Life is always a balance between maintaining what is good about the present, and being courageous enough to make changes when they are needed.
When we do a yoga pose, there is something called the “ego of the pose.” This is how I do the pose. The way I always do it. The way that works for me.
But sometimes we need to shake that up, and step our feet out wider, or stay in the pose a little longer, or let go and breathe. Perhaps we could try a new prop, or take all the props away. Maybe we need to move with more precision, or instead just let go and move with freedom.
One of my teachers said that the ego of the pose is like wax running down the side of a candle. Each time we light that candle, the wax will again flow the way that it flowed before. When we practice yoga, we tend to do things as we usually do them, like the wax flowing along the same path. We need to wake up to new possibilities with every practice.
Each time we practice, there is a tension between doing things in our usual way, and trying something new. The old and familiar patterns and techniques may be useful, and we don’t need to throw them all out. But if we never question them, we get stuck. Instead, we can challenge ourselves to keep the mind fresh, inquisitive and open to new ideas.
B.K.S.Iyengar said many times that as he aged, what kept his practice full of vitality was that he did not allow it to become mechanical. He said that each day, he felt fresh, and had fresh learning experiences. We hope to practice with that kind of awareness and immediacy on our own, but sometimes we need the support of a teacher.
One of the teachers from Green Tara Yoga – me (Karen Allgire), Amy Runnels, or Colleen Clark – can help you try new possibilities in your practice in one of our online classes. Visit our Schedule Page to view the online options and register for a class.
In the face of uncertainty, a daily practice of yoga helps keep the body healthy, the mind focused and the emotions calm. I hope you will take whatever opportunity you have today to give yourself the gift of yoga.