Safety: Are You Doing It?

Practicing yoga is a way to take care of and celebrate ourselves, whether that means enjoying the feeling of having a strong, flexible body, a sharp, focused mind, toned triceps and the quintessential “yoga butt” – or hey why not all of the above? Practicing safely creates conditions that promote all of this and more, while making your practice one that you look forward to coming back to again and again.

So first, what do we mean by practicing “safely”?
Being safe in your yoga practice means listening to your body and meeting yourself where you are – and that can vary greatly from day to day. Safety is also a mindset as much as it is a way of moving. When you practice safely you do so with awareness and intention. Yogi Jim Gaudette says, “The purpose of yoga is awareness, not perfected poses, beliefs, or any kind of attainment. Awareness from moment to moment requires quiet strength, flexibility, and balance. A good Yoga practice develops exactly these characteristics.”

Do no harm:
Ahimsa is a Pāli word that means “avoidance of causing violence or injury” and it is a primary principle within the eight limbs of classical yoga. Whether or not you are into yoga philosophy when you practice the physical act of yoga, the principle of ahimsa is useful to remember for practicing with a sense of compassion for yourself and any limitations you’re currently working with. For instance, forcing yourself into a posture too deeply or comparing yourself to someone else’s reflection in the mirror compromises your safety. Ahimsa reminds us to bring a spirit of friendliness and self-compassion to our practice and to do no harm.

Here are three tips for making your practice one that is both safe and challenging, while providing room for growth:

1) Focus on proper alignment over depth.

he body isn’t put together haphazardly – every muscle, bone, ligament or tendon has specific job to do. When the body is in proper alignment each part is able to do what it is supposed to rather than inadvertently forcing the wrong muscle groups to compensate for poor alignment.

2) Engage and strengthen your core.

he primary “core” muscles are found in the mid-lower back, belly, and hips. Like the name implies, your core is the foundation from which you can practice safely. Core strength is essential in safely transitioning from posture to posture and low back pain often indicates lack of core engagement.

3) Make it your practice.

Listen to your body and back out if something hurts (especially sharp pains) or just feels wrong. Get advice from the instructor before class to accommodate any concerns you have and feel free to speak up in class to get help.

We are here to support you in getting the most benefits from your practice and want our classes to be accessible and challenging for practitioners of all levels. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us at support@thefeelgoodworld.com or stop by the front desk the next time you’re in the studio.