Alignment vs. Continuity in Yoga

My 40-plus-year yoga observe is rooted throughout the Iyengar system. For a few years, I studied with Iyengar lecturers, just about fully. The non-Iyengar lecturers I’ve gravitated to have principally been people whose observe and instructing was grounded throughout the Iyengar system sooner than they decided to maneuver in a definite course.

B.Okay.S. Iyengar was a pioneer in disseminating the importance of cautious alignment. It’s sensible. After I studied with B.Okay.S and his daughter, Geeta, in Pune a couple of years prior to now, he stated that the purpose of asana observe was to create throughout the physique an energized and peaceful environment to permit the ideas to be every alert and calm. A physique that’s undisciplined and misaligned is way much less extra more likely to rest in a state of equilibrium. This little bit of data has guided my intentions for observe.

A Completely totally different Technique of Alignment

Whereas I agree completely with this in concept, and via a very long time of my very personal observe, I’ve begun to maneuver away from using the phrase “alignment” in favor of the thought of “continuity.” All too sometimes, “alignment” can counsel that there’s one strategy to organize one’s physique in a pose, and that it’s widespread. I do know that many lecturers understand that alignment is simply not a one-size-fits-all proposition, nevertheless for me, the phrase itself implies this.

Continuity, then once more, suggests a additional inside experience. Continuity refers to a state of harmonious settlement all via the moveable parts of the physique. In several phrases, as soon as we cope with continuity, we tune into the relationships between bones at each joint, between the within movement intentions (the breath) and the outer manifestation of an asana, and between the inside and exterior constructions of our our our bodies. On this submit, I’d want to cope with continuity by way of the joints.

Continuity By the Joints

For many who spend lots time having a look at yoga photos, you would possibly get the idea that reaching Cirque du Soleil-like poses is indicative of “good” observe. Of us working in direction of poses which could be structurally unattainable for a lot of practitioners may or might be not “superior” yogis. I do know I’ve talked about this in a thousand different methods, nevertheless yoga is simply not about performing fancy poses. It merely isn’t.

Asana observe is about harmonizing our our our bodies and minds. And creating continuity by way of our joints is one very concrete and attainable technique of transferring proper right into a state of ease and harmony.

Continuity by way of our joints signifies that fairly than specializing in pushing to the highest range of our joints with a function to acquire the “full expression” of a pose, we as an alternative create straightforward transitions by way of our joints. Pushing joints to their end ranges can sometimes create micro-tears and impingements throughout the joint capsules. Constantly overstretching ligaments—the collagenous tissue that connects bones to totally different bones—creates unstable joints.

Defending Your Ligaments

Ligaments are designed to limit the movement of our joints. When our ligaments turn into overstretched from usually pushing our joints into their end ranges, our muscle tissue ought to turn into tighter with a function to do the work of the ligaments. Whereas we may probably not really feel these accidents throughout the second of pushing into our joints, habitually doing it would placed on down easy tissue over time, leading to joint points down the freeway.

Pushing joints to their end ranges will improve stress in our nervous packages as our our our bodies’ pure defending mechanisms kick in to take care of our joints from transferring too far. If asana’s goal is to create a peaceful environment throughout the physique, pushing for max sensation is simply not the best way through which to do it. Joint continuity may require you to maneuver to your end range after which once more off a bit. After I try this, my poses actually really feel far more regular and grounded and my ideas feels immediately comfy.

The best way to Create Continuity

Creating continuity is a tricky proposition. It’s troublesome on account of there’s no sturdy sensation that accompanies continuity. As soon as we push into our joints to the aim of sensation—comfortable or uncomfortable—everyone knows who and the place we’re. As soon as we once more off a bit throughout the service of continuity, there’s not a complete lot of obvious sensation.

So I put together my physique in such a way as to essentially really feel little to no sensation at my joint web sites—ft, ankles, knees, hips, sacroiliac joint, vertebral joints, shoulders, elbows, wrists and fingers. I create my pose from the underside up, checking in with each joint as I soften into the asana.

Practising with the intention of creating continuity can be troublesome on account of it’s extra more likely to be variable from on a regular basis. That’s the place mindfulness is so helpful. As soon as we examine what continuity seems like, we are going to alter our asanas from the inside.

Switch Slowly, Use Yoga Props and Be Acutely aware

Sometimes it’s helpful to maneuver slowly and consciously in direction of your end range. When you attain your end range, once more off a bit, until you feel a manner of ease in all planes spherical your joint. There must be no sense of impingement or restriction of the flow into of vitality between the bones at each joint.

Even for individuals who don’t generally use yoga props—blocks, straps, blankets, and lots of others.—use them whilst you observe for continuity. They’re invaluable devices for serving to you receive structural integrity in your poses.

Mindfulness of the disposition of your thoughts can help you determine in case your pose is in harmony with itself. Does your thoughts actually really feel tight, exhausting, strained or contracted? In that case, settle down your thoughts if potential, then look throughout the physique and observe the place else you could possibly be straining.

All these cues are refined. They require that we look additional deeply than we may be used to. An overstretched or impinged joint will talk correct up—its options is appropriate on the ground. Reciting alignment tips in our heads as we observe squelches deeper exploration. Making an attempt deeper is the essence of yoga observe. Practising for continuity brings ease to the journey of deep wanting.