The key to your success in any area of your life lies in your ability to create a balance. This extends to your backbends.
How you do one thing, is how you do everything
Consider how do you live, work, and play? Do you run yourself until you are burnt out, hurt or sick? Do you play it safe and hold yourself back from moving forward? Do you put more emphasis on the completion of the task rather than how well you accomplish the task? We all tend towards one way of being and it shows up in all areas of our lives especially in our backbends.
How do you approach your yoga practice? Do you push past your limits? Do you holding yourself back or settle with ‘good enough’?
How you do one thing, is how you do everything. This phrase as been in the forefront of my mind the last few months. As a yoga practitioner, I have become hyper-aware of my tendency to ‘push through’ resistance or discomfort in order to get to where I ‘think’ I should be. I also recognize my tendency to hold back and do ‘just enough,’ waiting for another day to work deeper.
I see these and similar tendencies in my students as well. Most Bikram practitioners seem to thrive in an environment that honours discipline and perseverance and while this mindset has the potential for success, it also has the potential to lead us toward injury, illness and certainly frustration. It is imperative we begin to explore the other side.
Balance is a State of Mind
Ideally, the body operates optimally when in balance; a balance of strength and flexibility.
Discipline and perseverance are a strength which must not go unchecked by the contrary principles of surrender and acceptance. Most career-driven individuals operate on all cylinders and favour the push over surrender. Often this inclination leads to burn out and fatigue. In order to establish a balance it is imperative that one inclinded to push, practice the art of letting go. While this approach may be outside their wheelhouse, while it remains unpracticed, so does the balance between work and play.
The Secret to Backbends
Consider your backbend. You want to bend farther, so you persevere and stay determined. Now consider if you approached the same movement with surrender and acceptance. Now consider these two approaches together; in balance.
When we identify our tendency to do things one way and we can begin to consider the alternative. One approach does not supersede the other, but rather in developing the contrary skill set and state of mind you have an opportunity establish balance. With balance, come depth.
If you are curious about how your tendencies show up in your life? Ask your friends to describe you. If you are curious about how your tendencies show up within your yoga practice? Consider booking a private coaching session with your yoga teacher.