5 ways to practice yoga without doing a single asana/posture
Unbelievable flexibility, jaw dropping strength - if you've followed yoga accounts on social media, you've probably seen your share of this. It can be inspiring. But it can also be limiting. Depends on how you look at it. It can inspire us to achieve the same goal, and perfect our postures/asanas- but then what? Where do you go from there? Thankfully, the beautifully vast ocean of yoga has so much to offer.
Classical yoga philosophy texts like yogasutras, describe yoga as practice to refine the mind. Where the goal is to achieve mental clarity. As a result, we can understand and acknowledge the changing nature of our bodies and minds and try to connect to something more permanent and unchanging. Here are 5 ways to experience the benefits of yoga without doing a single asana:
Observe your breath. Find a quiet space, place one hand on your chest and one on your lower abdomen. Feel the breath as it moves through you. Pay attention to its natural rhythm and flow.
Be mindful of your thoughts. Notice when your mind jumps from one thought to another - and which activity/thought/memory triggers this constant fluctuation. Try to increase the space between one thought and the next.
Speak mindfully. Just like thoughts, what we say leaves subtle impressions on our mind. It can affect our mood, emotions and overall mental state. Take time to think about what you say, how you say it, and if it needs to be said at all - a small step for protecting your peace of mind.
Absorb yourself in an activity. Walk, dance, read, listen to music, paint, cook, write - whatever you choose, try to focus on it completely. When you're walking, be mindful of every step. If you're reading, absorb every word. Over time, concentration and focus becomes effortless.
Visualise your wellbeing. Cultivate qualities you need in your life (security, stability, peace, happiness, confidence, acceptance etc.) by being aware of thoughts that create the opposite feelings. Consciously, replace negative thought patterns, with those that will help you get closer to your ideal state.
Whether you want to simply improve your quality of life, heal from a chronic illness or overcome a mental hurdle, yoga can play a vital role beyond asanas - and you can choose the right place to start.
