What is with this edge you hear about in yoga classes?
Understanding your edge:
In each posture we come to a point which we cannot go any further. Yes, it can be very frustrating, as we are facing a barrier within ourselves Maybe it is tight muscles that impacts the body from bending further, not enough muscle strength to continue taking the weight, balance is not stable, body shape does not allow - this is the place where you will find your edge.
The edge is yours and yours alone. When you hit it, it is not about letting your ego to push you further or about judging yourself in this space (it does not matter if the person next to you is touching their toes, you are structural different;
we all might be human but we are unique like a snowflake).
Once you learn to stop judging, and comparing yourself on the mat, you will learn to take this lesson off the mat. Comparing and judging just causes self-inflicted pain and unnecessary heartache.
We are human, which means we typically lead with our Ego. When it takes more control in yoga that's when you might push yourself too far and can get injured (yoga and injury seems to be a hot topic these days). Being human also means have a little voice in our head which can easily talk us into not getting close enough to our edge. And know that every day is different, we might not eat enough, or sleep enough, or had a bad day, and this life situation might make it impossible to get to your "edge" as well.
It takes time, patience and introspection to start to explore these ideas in a class.
Respecting your edge and relaxing into it:
What we have learned so far: your edge is about ignoring your ego, respecting your body, not competing. So than what is the "edge" about?
Relaxing and Breathing - sounds easy enough?!
It is about relaxing into the posture, you will notice that when you hit a point of self-contention you tense up but if you relax these unnecessary muscle tension you will go deeper. Physically you will see improvements in depth, and strength.
At the same time, it is also about sending breath to that area. Breath helps calm the body (physically with heart rate, circulation) and mind (psychologically - calming nerves).
Breath is more than oxygen, we are also sending a type of energy to this point of the "edge". A mental energy, yes. But it can be called may things like Prana, Life Force (Luke Skywalker knows all about this) or Chi or Qi in Chinese. Our subtle body.
Everything in life has energy - ever step into the sunlight, close your eyes and soak in the energy - you feel more alive, happy, active. There is something there, its powerful. There are 2 kinds of energy, natural (sun, wind, food, plants, people, animals, atoms,etc) and man made (electricity, cars, fire, plumbing systems, etc).
Studies are happening now to help scientifically define and help explain this "life force" energy or Prana. From a yogic perspective, the spine is the main energy lifeline within the body, there are main points of concentration along the way (Chakara) and ways to move it around. Better flow is better balance. The mouth and breath is the main channel/way to help bring in this Prana. In your yoga class you might already be practicing pranayama - breathing practicing.
So during the process of breath and relaxation you will not only gain progress physically but physiologically and psychologically.
There is not a golden spoon, it takes practice and time:
Nothing comes easy in life, well at least not for me. And if it does there is some unresolved tension that will come with that (pay a price); see post on Ghandis's Dangerous Virtues (
The dangers of virtue without effort).
Triangle posture was one or many asana's that I dreaded and found my edge quickly. Every few classes, I'd make my self get through a few more breaths in this pose. In time, I was able to power through without stopping. My foundation and leg strength increased. As well as my stamina; I felt more fit. I was then able to explore other elements of the posture, like the back twist, turning the gaze to the ceiling, extension of the arms in equal direction, rotation of the thigh, and the mula bandha and feet for balance stability.
The edge changes each day - sometimes a few steps back before forward (like life).
Hit your edge, turn off the ego, attention to the points of tension, relax the muscles and take baby steps each class to explore it (focusing on different aspects of the posture).
The unseen reality of living and benefits beyond the obvi
We know there are aspects of life that we trust are true but do not necessarily see it with our own eyes. We cannot always "see it to believe it". We all need to have a bit of faith: trust smart people, trust what we know and trust logical reasoning. Same with yoga, there are benefits beyond what we can see.
Smart people say it is so:
We definitely can not see that there are billions of galaxies within the big dipper but we trust the scientists and logic of others that tell us so.
Doctors tell us whats going on inside us and the incredible complexity of the body, marine biologist tell us about the alien like animals in the depths of the unexplored ocean, the list goes on.
Mother natures' magic tell us so:
We know many facets of nature happen without an explainable/visible reason - we know to drink milk from our mothers without being told. We know animals have amazing instincts and the power of evolution. A small little insect like the Honey Bee makes life possible through the pollination of plants.
We still do not even know the foundation of everything - Atoms are known, but what makes up Atoms? It is thought that Atoms are made up of tiny vibrating strings (String Theory), this is a energy wave moving and bouncing to create life. Everything is energy.
Benefits of yoga beyond the obvi:
Emotions and feelings like love, anger, hope - we cannot see them but know they exist. Our emotions and past impressions/experiences manifest in the body. If we have a loss in our life we can have pain in our stomach, if we experience a blissful moment like a wedding we can fill happiness in our chest.
With Yoga we increase not only the physical functions of the body but the energetic, we release blockages that are not necessarily seen or known
I know I have blockages in my legs (I have been told by Reiki masters and guru's in India). I think back to my Triangle Pose, and know that this posture is helping send fresh circulation and prana to the legs. The benefits are happening in the subtle body through this asana now. The effect are not black and white.
The exploration of the impacts of meditation are surfacing; Mindfulness Meditation studies are showing aspects of the brain are physically changing, in particular the areas which happiness comes from. Doctors are starting to connect the physical impacts of yoga and synergistic benefits for other athletes (like runners which is another hot topic). Combining yoga with other sports yields a lot of benefits.
You have an edge on and off the mat. Life is about exploring this edge, understanding if you can trudge on or if this is where you are suppose to be.
Live an examined life,
Tracy
Familiarity
