If you google (or use alternative search engine…) ‘what does Yoga mean’, you will most likely not find “doing acrobatics on a mat” or “putting your body into the shape of a pretzel”.  

Most practitioners of yoga-asana do have some knowledge about what yoga is and where it comes from; and that it [really] has little to do with mastering acrobatics on the mat (and then post it on social media). Still, the latter is still so much the focus in the Western world; we do what we do so well, we grab something that looks intriguing, ignore its origin and sacred meaning to others, and then trim it down to something more easily compatible with our busy, [so called] modern lives. And though we might dabble with some breath work, meditate a bit and change a few habits, it is still the asanas that captivate us the most.

In Patanjali’s 8 limbed yoga there is a system, an order in which we should approach the practice, and before we even start with asanas, we are supposed to get our lives and worldly habits in order. But also, these Yamas and Niyamas are restraints and observances that you should not only apply to your life in general, but also apply when you are on your mat, if want to have a safe and healing yoga-asana practice.

It all starts with Ahimsa; to not cause harm – not to others and not to yourself. The yoga-asana practice is not supposed to harm you, and still people keep injuring themselves on the mat, why is that? Perhaps we overdo things, we try to go deeper into a pose before our body is ready, we try poses we have not built up to, that we are not ready for, but why?

We are also impatient and lazy. You often see practitioners rushing through the sun salutations, with ‘sloppy’ warriors and little attention to alignment, without taking the time to let the breath take them to the very edge of the full expression of these powerful poses [where the magic happens], restless to get to the more ‘advanced’ part of the practice. You see super flexible practitioners so eager to reach something behind them in the backward bends, they don’t realise their knees are flopping and hips are dropping out of alignment. Why?

Setting aside that most of the yoga practice happens off the mat, also on the mat we are supposed to heal; heal the body, heal the mid, find the soul, bringing it all together. Forcing your body into an intricate shape is not likely to do that, at least not until that shape is comfortable and easeful. If you practice feels like an endless struggle, and it makes you huff and puff, and your body starts to resist, ask yourself, am I practicing yoga right now; am I practicing the first principle of yoga – Ahimsa? How would it feel if I take it down a bit, chose some softer options, and do them well?   Might that shape of a pretzel come along beautifully, in its own sweet time?

But also think about how your practice and behaviours affects others (beyond falling out of your handstand, landing on someone else’s foot, causing them injury). When you get that perfect photo of yourself in a fancy pose and put it up on your social media, again and again, what impact can that have on others? If you want to be an inspiration, why not post a picture of yourself in a strong, grounded pose that most people can safely work towards, rather than in a pose that will not be achievable for most. And ask yourself, why do you need to share this with the world? Why can you not quietly enjoy your pose in your practice, with your breath, in the moment, where it does not cause harm to you nor to others (by making others feel inadequate for not being able, or by injuring themselves because they feel they need to try to do the same)?

Stepping out of your mind and ask WHY now and then, and reflect on your habits, actions and reactions, is a good place to start deepening your real yoga practice.  

Remember, “yoga is not about creating shapes on the mat, it is about healing, love and devotion”