The Spirit of Our Practice: From Then Until Now

1. 12 November 2014

   • yoga
   • yogapractice
   • yogahistory

   
   

   by teacher Matthew Clark

   There is much debate and conjecture about the history of Yoga asana practice.  Very little of the ancient philosophy of Yoga had anything to do with physical exercise.  However to most folks today, the term Yoga itself refers to Yoga asana practice, or the physical exercise of Yoga that we all know from studios, books and videos.  Asanas are the poses we practice in Hatha Yoga, the physical limb of the overarching philosophy of Yoga.  Historically and traditionally, Yoga is a multilayered philosophy and a methodology to transcend the confines of our world, our minds, and our bodies.  With roots in ancient Indian asceticism, Yoga was a path to liberation from the cycle of rebirth.  Much of the practice of Yoga was spent in stillness, in solitary meditation. It’s fascinating to think of how this complex philosophy, which basically preached the withdrawal of the senses, has led us to a format wherein we practice together in a place of business, often with music, with particular attire and gear, have our experience for a set period of time and then return back to life as we knew it before class began. 

   How do we reconcile the historic intent of this practice with our modern reality?  For me the practice of Yoga asana and meditation are tools that go hand in hand.   They are tools for health, sanity, spiritual connection, and composure in an increasingly complex and convoluted world.  I know these tools keep me well, keep energy from stagnating in my body and keep my mind sharp.  They allow me to see a bigger picture and place myself within that context, and help my mind to be relatively still when I so desire. 

   When approached with mindfulness, asana practice can truly be a meditative experience. Spending an hour or more, fully engaged in exercise, undistracted by your phone, your responsibilities and other expectations, you can tune in with what is happening in the body, how the energy moves, how to use breath as a tool, and discover how cumulative emotions are effecting the mind/body/spirit.  Asana practice can be cathartic for processing emotional baggage.  The improved flow of energy in the body manifests with particular prominence in Shivasana, the final resting pose we take to end classes.  A transformation is felt from beginning our practice to that moment.  The meditative nature and profound energetic influence are undeniable.

   As a teacher my main objectives are to keep everyone safe and to give a quality experience of asana practice.  Whether the student aims to reach spiritual heights or simply have a great looking ass, my role is the same.  I’m not seeking to convert anyone to any way of thinking.  I will interject suggestions that could make the asana practice more of a meditative experience and I hope that folks will explore that aspect.  But essentially it is their tool to use and often one expectation yields multiple results.   

   Because it is a potent tool, Yoga holds an important space in my life.  What hooked me initially was the experiential and palpable aspect.  The fact that one can actually feel and experience the sensations described in texts or by instructors totally sold me on Hatha Yoga.  Initially, feeling the movement of energy in the body as a real sensation as a result of a Yoga practice was rewarding and made me curious to see what would come with further practice.  That profound awareness of the mind / body / spirit that arises naturally through our modern incarnation of Yoga ties us to the ancient traditions.  Although our aims are different, the benefits are universal.  A healthy body provides less distraction for the mind and empowers us to explore the profound elements of our spirit.  We may not be concerned with attaining enlightenment or escaping the wheel of Samsara, but all the good that we create in our practice can be used to become more mindful, and of more benefit to the world surrounding us.  It can also make us more productive and effective on our life’s path.  We can find this life changing power in a Yoga class, at a studio, in our homes, with our friends, and within the confines of our weekly schedules and we have an ancient tradition to thank for this gift.