Establishing a personal yoga practice creates a deep synchronization between that actions performed and the individual performing them. Attending classes, especially in the beginning stages of practicing, is beneficial. Yet, classes can become a crutch. Learning yoga begins as explores the nuances of asana/pranayama for themselves. A personal practice is a vehicle for individual development.
Practice and repetition bring one closer to perfection. The repetition of a technique improves the body’s familiarity with the same. It is through practice that suppleness, improved breath awareness and spiritual unfolding can occur. Practice must be consistent for these improvements to be supported. Thus, it becomes necessary to develop comfort with the prospect of practicing alone.
A teacher is crucial for laying a strong framework from which one can expand. When attending classes, there is always that between class time (or there should be, at least). Do not be apprehensive about approaching your yoga instructor with any questions that you may have about techniques performed during the class. The instructor SHOULD be able to field the question. If not, they should be able to say that they will get the answer for you. If not, consideration of another instructor may be in order.
Western yoga has become oriented toward fashion, gadgetry and pseudo-spirituality are mainstays. The practice, for many, is asana oriented. It is geared toward sweating, bending, new mats and new clothes: as befits western culture. Yet, traditional practitioners, those who saw asana as an integral yet small part of the totality of the practice, were not caught up in such modern trappings. Their practices were deep as they gave little importance to outward appearances.
Deepening a personal practice facilitates profound intimacy the the nuanced dynamics of yoga. The practice of yoga is defined as an eight step process in the yoga sutras. The majority of what is presented in western society is only one aspect of the eight steps. A personal practice, as developed, would be a vehicle for further exploration into the other aspects of the practice. A consistent personal practice will facilitate a more solidified framework of what yoga practice can entail.
Developing positive character traits can result from self-directed practice. The student can be left in a lurch when yoga practice is tied to class attendance. When the studio is closed, or classes are not fitting into one’s schedule, to have structured a class for themselves, to have incorporated that class-time into their own practice would enable them to maintain a degree of regularity in their yoga routine. To do this would require a level of dedication, initiative and confidence. These would only improve as the personal practice were to be continued.
In North Austin, TX – Let the Ab-Sutra Fitness and Wellness help you develop a personal yoga practice
Ab-Sutra Wellness and Fitness 