What To Do, When To Do, How To Do

What to do, when to do, how to do is a phrase I associate with the teachings of Prashant Iyengar, who is always challenging his students to be in the present, reminding us that the primary subject of yoga is consciousness. I love his statement that “Asanas are not yoga. Asanas are for yoga.” Asanas are a means, a method, for experiencing a state of yoga.

Each posture should be done in a thoughtful and precise manner, while we also consider how to sequence the postures. We have so many decisions to make in our practice. Which poses shall I do? In what manner? With or without props? How long should I hold a pose? High intensity with a short hold, or mild intensity and a long stay? What should I do next? How should I begin? How should I finish?

Fortunately, the Iyengars have given us plenty of guidance about how to practice. Their teachings encompass how to adjust our practice depending on our condition, our individual needs, the time of day, the time of year, and more. We learn the art of sequencing – which poses to do, and in what order, to get particular effects.

In the third chapter of the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali describes the principle of krama, or sequence. Krama is an orderly progression, a regular course, or succession. In the context of the sutras, this refers to the parinama or subtle transformations that can take place in the body and mind as a result of yogic practice. But we can also apply the term krama in a more general way to mean the order of poses in a practice, and the order of actions that we do within a given pose. Working with krama means that we don’t start our practice each day at square one. We progress. We understand that we build our abilities upon a bedrock of foundational practices that lead us forward.

As I am convalescing, I have been thinking about this principle of step by step progression. As I recover, certain things have to happen in a certain order. Time is a healer, and I must surrender to the healing process, whatever amount time it may take.

I am happy to be able to share a few landmarks in my progression. I no longer need a walker and can go up and down stairs with good balance. Certainly, I am holding onto the railings! I am off the Oxycodone and have reduced the Tylenol dose in half. I am allowed to be out of bed for 10 minutes each hour. I assumed that I would be restless and chomping at the bit to be out of bed. But the truth is, I need a lot of rest and have been very content in the little nest I have created in our living room. I can read, watch TV, play the New York Times puzzles, do sutra study, and nap. I also use my “out of bed” time for a couple short piano practices each day, and that is always a joy.

At least a couple of times each day, I practice some yoga. I do arm actions, gentle rope work, and chair twists. Yesterday I was able to do my first Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose) on the low rope. I was only able to hold it for about 30 seconds, but it was a joy! Today I tried Urdhva Prasarita Padasana (Upward Extended Legs Pose) at the wall and that felt great. I was also able to do a modified Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose) with plenty of support, and that also felt wonderful.

If I stay in the moment, I can discern what I should do, when I should do it, and how I should do it. The parameters given by Dr. Chen are that I should not do anything that causes my blood pressure to go up, or that causes me to get heated or out of breath. So, I do short holds, focusing on breath awareness, and the balance of effort and ease.

The only time I feel mental distress is when I think of the future. How long will it take to regain my practice? How will my leg look? How long will it be numb? I recognize that these questions are not answerable now. Their answers will be revealed over time, through incremental, methodical, and sequential explorations into what to do, when to do, and how to do.

I am immensely grateful for the teachings of Iyengar Yoga, which are supporting my mental and emotional state as much as my body during this recovery.

I am grateful to you, my yoga community, as we tread together on the Inward Journey toward freedom.

With love and thanks,
Karen