Inspire To Align

How on earth do I get into bhudjipidasana? 

This was the question that consumed me during my early years of practicing yoga. As a dedicated student, I spent countless hours studying the mechanics of yoga, poring over books, and attending classes in the hope of mastering this and other challenging poses. But as time went on, I began to realise that my focus on the mechanics of yoga was distracting me from the essence of the practice.

When I first travelled to the home of Ashtanga, Mysore in India, the way we were taught was very different to the West.  I don’t remember ever breaking down the postures in a physical way. We practiced, received assists and the pose arrived, after a time of dedicated practice.  If I couldn’t do find my way into a pose it was usually me being asked the very direct and inquiring question - "Why are you fearing? "

Was there some aspect of the pose that my fear was preventing?  Not that my hips were too tight, or were they gripped by fear? You can’t break a emotion down in a step by step process.

Yoga, I learned, is not just about achieving the perfect pose or the most impressive physical feats. It's about cultivating a deeper sense of awareness and understanding of ourselves and the world around us. It's about developing a holistic approach to life that encompasses not just the physical, but also the mental and spiritual aspects of our being.

When we focus solely on the mechanics of yoga, we risk missing out on this deeper understanding. We become so caught up in achieving physical goals that we lose sight of the true essence of the practice. 

So, if you're struggling to get into bhudjipidasana, or any other challenging pose, remember that the mechanics of yoga are important, but they're not the whole story. Take a step back, focus on your breath, and connect with the deeper connection to your body and the physicality of being in the body and in the pose. By doing so, you'll not only deepen your understanding of yoga, but you'll also experience the many benefits that it has to offer, both on and off the mat.