Texas TakeawaYs: Context of Practice

We leave Texas today after leading two weekends of workshops. 15 workshops over the course of 9 days, covering topics as broad as the origins of yoga, how the spine works, and the chemical effects of breathing.

There is so much context surrounding the physical yoga practices that we do. We often take for granted the way our body works, the benefits that come from the postures, or where the practices come from. We don't necessarily need to know these things to get the benefits, but the upside is undoubtedly higher when we know more.

By putting the practices in the context of history, they become clearer in intention and purpose. We begin to understand why yogis of the past developed them and passed them down. We awaken to the focus of any given exercise.

By learning how the body works, including the muscles, lungs and heart, we can see that the practices actually affect our physical and chemical bodies. There are mental changes that happen, but they are drawn into sharper distinction when we know what is happening in the body.

At the center for most of us are the postures. We practice them and strive to perfect them. As we depart from a diverse group of workshops, I am reminded how new knowledge and perspective helps us grow and refocus.

​Happy practicing!