when you think of yoga what comes to mind? i ask people that question and almost unanimously i get answers such as 'flexibility' 'balance' 'stretching' among others. while these aren't incorrect responses, they are incomplete. i would like to challenge you to consider yoga as a therapist and a teacher and perhaps even a little bit fortune teller. let's start with yoga as a therapist...
first understand, i am not saying a physical or emotional therapist is your therapist, i'm saying your yoga practice is your therapist. for example, recently i have had a very minor physical blockage in my jaw and my voice has been hoarse. i made the connection that i have blocked energy in my throat chakra and it's manifesting in a literal blockage and a strain and weakness in my voice. it's been a long time since i've been on my mat and once i made that connection i unrolled my mat and did a half hour of yoga with emphasis on the 5th chakra, vishuddah aka throat chakra. after one practice i felt the tension and stiffness dissipate from the back of my neck and traps. after i had concluded the practice i also felt more confident. i had taken my pain and my education into my own hands, took responsibility for them and applied what i know. the first portion of the practice did not feel particularly comfortable but that's to be expected. a minor discomfort manifested in my right clavicle by which i was not surprised. my practice was my therapist both physically and emotionally.
the practice was my teacher in that my body was able to explain to me physically that it's been holding onto to a lot of energy and where and needs to be able to let it go and relax. i have homework and that is to get on my mat as many times a week as i workout whether it be 15 minutes or 90 minutes. it's about showing up to class and doing the work at my pace vs pushing or abandoning it. i am guilty of hitting the accelerator HARD then fizzling out. balance and consistency is the key here. just keep showing up with an open mind and the teacher and the therapist will always be there for you.
the fortune teller of yoga is exactly what i experienced in my throat practice. i felt something in my shoulder that i didn't even realize was there. most likely a newer energy that has been stagnant so it had not manifested into anything physical.... until poked at via yoga. now i can look to that area and see if there is something going on that i can address before it gets out of hand.
you are your own teacher and healer. the yoga facilitators out there can help guide you but ultimately the joy and responsibility of your health and wholeness rests in your hands.
remember.... the hardest pose in yoga is unrolling your mat.
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