The greatest hindrance to feeling the body from within is the habit of putting emphasis on thinking. Hatha Yoga is not a thinking practice.
The goal of Yoga is to experience this innate nature and to allow that aspect of our being to guide the way to everything. At peace with ourselves, innately we are in a loving relationship to what is outside of us.
I realized that there is, indeed, no difference between my morning sitting meditation and evening asanas.
As the Yoga asanas and yogic breathing are practiced, increasing the vitality of the body, there will follow a considerable decrease in harmful acts such as smoking and drinking.
Physically adjusting our students can either disturb or enhance their experience, depending on how it is done and how it is received.
The goal of Yoga is to experience this innate nature and to allow that aspect of our being to guide the way to everything. At peace with ourselves, innately we are in a loving relationship to what is outside of us. It is our nature to express love. When our action is an expression of love, there is joy in that.
In Hatha practice, we attempt to move and think about our movements in ways outside of our patterned thinking and moving. We practice being and acting free of our conditioning by moving with complete, non-judgmental awareness and in loving response to the capacity of the body in this moment only.
I also work with two-year-old twins who have cerebral palsy. The yoga therapy has improved their balance, strength and flexibility and, equally as important, it has given them the ability to develop stillness in their mind and body.
With the Four Foundations, asana practice becomes a fully authentic mindfulness practice, in essence no different than sitting or walking meditation.
Hatha Yoga in and of itself is not so powerful, but coupled with the underlying intention to realize the Self it becomes a potent spiritual force.
