One of the most indelible and defining moments of my training to become a yoga teacher began with a big POP! At first I thought it was my classmate’s back adjusting while our instructor led her into an advanced pose, but the look on her face said, “This is serious.” »
Maybe she was predisposed to such an injury. Still, I couldn’t help but think that our teacher—naturally flexible and well-respected in the yoga community—was a little too attached to having the student “strike” the pose.
Maybe you’ve taken a yoga class where you felt a competitive vibe or peer pressure to “keep up.” Or you’ve seen instructors who, without question, teach a “standard” routine, regardless of the age or condition of the students. Or classes where the teacher tells you to “listen” to your body and “adapt as needed,” but doesn’t show or tell you how to do it. Or classes that move so quickly that you don’t have time to feel what’s happening in your body.
That’s why I was so happy when I first saw William Broad’s film. New York Times article on the risks of physical yoga poses, or asanasa few years ago. (You can find the original article here and the follow-up commentary here.)
This is something we cover regularly in our Yoga Calm trainings: why we only teach simple poses that virtually everyone can benefit from; why we don’t teach inversions like handstands and handstands; how muscle engagement protects joints and why observing breathing is such an important “stress gauge”. That’s why we asked physiotherapists and occupational therapists to evaluate us and help us write our book, Calm yoga for children.
But what’s missing in that? New York Times This piece is something even more important: the purpose of yoga is more than just physical. Rather, the poses – and the context in which they are taught – are fundamentally a way to develop self-awareness, character and social responsibility. We believe these principles are at the heart of yoga – and many other contemplative practices – not the flexibility of your hamstrings or your ability to perform downward dog pose (or any other).
At the same time, the article gives a misleading idea of the risk. Millions of people now practice yoga. Compared to other recreational activities, the percentage of reported yoga-related injuries is incredibly low. We should also consider how many injuries yoga has helped prevent. Watch a sporting event and you’ll see many athletes doing facilitated yoga stretches as part of their warm-up.
There are much greater health risks that need to be considered. It is predicted that one in three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes. Stress and hypertension kill millions of people. Sitting in front of a computer for 8 to 10 hours a day causes more back problems than yoga.
These are some of the “physical” reasons why movement practices like Hatha yoga are necessary.
In Yoga Calm, the practice is guided by five key principles that we have developed over more than three decades of raising children and equal time in various meditation and yoga practices. These are the themes and goals that underpin all Yoga Calm processes and guide their implementation:
Excerpt from our book:
Historically, yoga practices encompassed both physical and mental techniques to calm the nervous system, just what today’s stress researchers recommend. And while these techniques are an important part of yoga, they were designed to serve even greater goals in the individual and community: those of personal discovery, well-being, and self-mastery. These general principles or philosophies of yoga invite creativity and flexibility to meet needs; empower individuals through self-learning, exploration and discernment; and guide without dictating. The cultivation of these yogic attitudes is at the heart of yoga and is a key determinant of its effectiveness, adaptability and longevity.
Calm
Stillness is the ability to calm the mind and body; be self-aware; develop sensitivity, self-control and self-regulation.Listen
Listening is the ability to listen to what the heart, mind, and body have to say. This is important for developing self-understanding, discrimination, self-regulation and imagination. Proper listening reduces the risk of injury and self-harm.Grounding
Grounding is the ability to connect to the earth, to be physically present in the body, and to develop a sense of competence, physical safety, and security. A strong sense of balance and other healthy sensory and motor functions are building blocks for academic, behavioral, and emotional growth.Strength
Physical strength helps prevent injury and illness and builds ability, confidence and self-esteem based on measurable results. Mental toughness involves using positive self-talk, respecting boundaries, and monitoring things caught in the mind and body. Emotional strength is the ability to feel, identify and express one’s feelings without harming oneself or others. Emotional strength is developed in the social/emotional processes and counseling strategies used in Yoga Calm.Community
Community nurtures the ability to give and receive support, as well as develop compassion, communication skills, and other abilities needed to live cooperatively with others.
You can read more in Calm yoga for children.
This focus on principles allows Yoga Calm to easily adapt to many ages, abilities and environments. For example, in a classroom with students of varying abilities, stillness processes can be explored in a chair or standing, listening processes can be performed by all, and community support can be displayed many times. manners, for example simply giving attention, encouragement or respect.
In this way, “yoga” is much more than a pose. It becomes a tool, an approach and a perspective that can serve us throughout our lives.
Image from Augusto Mia Battaglia photography, via Flickr
Updated from the original