 We can't just show up, do whatever we feel like doing on any given day, and expect to make progress.
While usually doing something is better than nothing, we have to be precise if we want to make progress in specific areas. If we are practicing a certain posture for example, we need to carefully assess all the aspects of that specific posture that are barriers and practice each of them. Let's take full backbends as an example. We need to have strength in the spine, length in the quads and hip flexors and control over the relaxation of the front side body. Knowing that, we can practice those elements very precisely. If we break it down, incorporating precision, we will certainly make progress. If you are ever unclear about barriers you are pushing up against, sit and consider what they might be. Tackle the issue very deliberately. Once we gain the clarity in our practice, progress happens.
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 Last time we started to explore what it means to practice. We talked about repetition as a key element. This week we will incorporate the next part of practice which is frequency.
While repetition is really important, it must be paired with frequency. You can do 100 sets of Chair pose, then wait a month and do it again. Or, you can do several, each day. These approaches do not have the same effect. It's far better to do a little bit often, than a lot every once in awhile. Your body needs to be coaxed along gently, and your mind needs to make practice a habit. (Some experts say it takes about 3 weeks to form a habit.) Frequency is why doing just one posture at home by yourself can make a difference. Instead of days going by, your mind has the chance to build up the habit of practice. It's also important not to overload yourself all at once and risk injury or burnout.  Practice is a word that is used constantly. Everyone agrees it is a necessary part of progress. Rarely however, does practice get broken down and explained effectively. This results with many of us putting in immense amounts of time and not making the progress we think we should be making. Over the next few weeks we will explore the parts of practice.
The first part of practice is repetition. Repetition means that we have to do the things we want to get better at, more than one time. This is essentially doing second, third or forth sets when it comes to postures. We require muscle memory to carry out any skill, be it postures, artwork, cooking, etc. We must develop the right touch, right amount strength, right effort, and all of that takes muscle memory. Muscle memory develops with the use of repetition. After we can sufficiently do something (an asana, etc), one repetition can be enough for maintenance. A skilled artist can make their art at the drop of a hat, a skilled athlete can perform on command, but that's because they've already repeated the task (practiced it!) an immense amount of times. We won't get better doing something only one time. |
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Scott & Ida are Yoga Acharyas (Masters of Yoga). They are scholars as well as practitioners of yogic postures, breath control and meditation. They are the head teachers of Ghosh Yoga.
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