The Perfect Pose
By Mindy Arbuckle, E-RYT
A client and I were talking in a private session last week about their postures. They told me that at times they feel like they aren’t “very good at postures” when they look at other students in class. They feel like they aren’t good enough.
Have you ever felt like this? Maybe you’ve felt lost in Sun Salutations or more stiff than anyone else in Seated Straddle Splits. The body feels ok but your mind tells you that you aren’t good enough.
The Yoga Sutras, a defining historical yogic text, tells us that perfection in a yoga pose, asana, is the ability to find steadiness and comfort in that pose (2.46). In the entire book of the Yoga Sutras it doesn’t mention how flexible or how strong you are in relationship to your postures, not once. If the only thing that mattered to perfect a posture was to look pretty in it by being flexible than any gymnast, dancer or Chinese acrobat would be enlightened.
The perfect pose is so much more than just flexibility. The next time you see yourself looking at another person in what your mind tells you is the perfect pose stop and observe a few things: how long has that person been practicing? Are they breathing smoothly and easily? Do they feel comfortable and steady or are they struggling and forcing?
Now, do the same thing for yourself. In a pose that your mind tells you that you aren’t good at close your eyes, take a deep breath and observe yourself. No matter what you look like, do you feel comfortable and steady? If not, can you find those elements by softening your efforts? Is this a new pose to you? You have a lifetime to perfect postures, it doesn’t have to happen overnight. Can you feel your breath smoothly flowing in and flowing out? If you are holding your breath simply start breathing again. Is your mind calm and at ease? Let your thoughts relax and be focused.
With this fresh perspective of your asana practice know that you are perfect at yoga no matter what your body looks like as long as you feel comfortable and steady in your practice. We have all been blessed with our own unique bodies. You should love and embrace them rather than feel in adequate. You are perfect just as you are. Relish in your perfection.
About the author:
Mindy Arbuckle is the owner of Green Mountain Yoga in Arvada, CO. She has been studying and teaching yoga for most of her adult life and is passionate about helping people through positive and intentional self transformation.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
So many times I have people tell me they can’t do yoga because they are not flexible. This article is the perfect explanation!
Mindy,
Thanks so much for the article. I always wonder during my yoga practice if what I do can truly be described as”yoga” because I have so much difficulty with certain poses/postures. It’s great to hear that I may actually be okay! Also, on a larger note, thanks for everything you do. Between you and your staff, you have done wonders for me. I must say, your newsletters are also fascinating, informative, and incredibly enjoyable. Thank you!