Imagine you are experiencing lower back pain & you really feel the need to practice. The root cause of the pain is your sciatica nerve. It has been bothering you for a while but you don't know what to do about it. You are a bit confused about what poses to do, which poses to skip and how to modify.
So, how can you get on the mat and practice in a mindful way? What's the solution to your confusion?
The answer is to dive into the philosophy of yoga once in a while and audit your asana practice based on it.
Yoga has 8 limbs:
Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
The first one is Yama (the relationship between you and the outer world) and last week we explored the first behaviour pattern of Yama which is Ahimsa (absence of violence). The second one is Satyawhich means truthfulness/to speak the truth.
How can you apply that in your life and on the mat?
Ask yourself these questions before, during and after your asana practice:
Are you true to yourself in your thought pattern by not judging yourself that you have an injury and need to take a break?
Are you telling the truth to your teacher?
Are you subconsciously competing with other practitioners in the room and ignoring your pain?
Are you kind with your body on the mat by allowing yourself to modify the poses when you need to?
Are you asking yourself if some poses are necessary for you?
Are you open to practicing another style of yoga during the time of pain or an injury?
Are you willing to learn to slow down, sit, observe and meditate?
These questions are crucial to prevent any injuries down the line or manage your pain or even progress in a mindful & philosophical way.
