Asana: Simple and Complex but not Complicated

Asana is a Sanskrit word meaning shape or pose

Simple, by definition of Webster is said to be 'modest or innocent'

Complex, by definition of Webster is 'composed of two or more parts'

Complicated, by definition of Webster is difficult to analyze, understand or explain

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Much of what we do in practice is about translating and interpreting. For example, try this activity: Write (or type, whatever) step by step how to open a door. Write it in such detail that nothing is assumed as if someone is reading your instructions and they've never, ever seen a door. What happens (if you do this activity) is that the person you give the written instructions to interprets your words and takes action. In a yoga class, this is the same thing but we are ending up in a shape instead of stepping inside a building (but it can be argued we end up inside the higher self, just to play devils' advocate here!!).

Let's go deeper then... the written instructions to opening a door are complex, involving many steps minute and big, but opening a door is simple. It gets complicated when you start to ask the questions like: is the knob round or is it a thumb-push handle. Is the handle assumed to be in the middle of the door and that the door is average height and what about if it is a push or pull door...

What the heck is with the door analogy, Britt!? Get into your yoga brain now, downward facing down is an asana which is simple to the eye, complex with all the verbal directions and can get complicated when we appreciate every body is different... This is why I justify no two shapes will look the same when you look around a yoga room. And to get really adamant, YOU won't look the same as you did the last time you tried it. You may look similar... but not the same.

So how do we pair down the complicated part and appreciate that simple can comfortably include complex? I have a little list, I think each will mean something to all who read (they're simple!)

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1. Notice when you are focused on 'that person' rather than your experience

2. Breathe, slower. Slower still...

3. Learn. Bring a piece of paper into class. and a pencil. and write down one pose that you feel lost in. that way you can let it go and continue practice. At the end of practice, consider if you can learn from your teacher... (dare you ask them a questions!?) or go to google... I encourage your teacher but whatever is more comfortable for you.

4. Appreciate not all bodies are capable of all poses and that letting go, is (more than) okay

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Here are my personal favourite three verbal cues to hear a teacher say when I'm practicing...

It's a funny translation because I don't often use these specific cues in my practices. Why you wonder..? Because YOU are not the same group of students in other classes in fact there are no two classes the same, ever! As a proud teacher it's my motto to teach to who is in the room, taken from my teacher... It's a unique and special gift, teaching is, and everytime students shows up in front of me, I am literally teaching to them as individuals and we are co-creating and experiencing the practice of yoga.