Discussing Yoga of Heart
Disucssing Mark Whitwell – Yoga of Heart The healing power of intimate connection.
Whitwell’s first chapter is a wonderful analytical breakdown of societal norms, despite being first published in 2002 there are still so many appropriate links to our current way of life over 20 years on. Whitwell carefully depicts the norms and values that frame our behaviours towards ourselves and others, and how connecting our natural mind and body we can have a more authentic and intimate connection.
Inspiration can leave us demotivated and fail because we simply don’t have the right tools; revaluating what is attainable for us and our students is more appropriate. Our bodies react and move differently in our practice due to varied balance, range of movement and strength. Since we move so uniquely, to release the pressure and obsession to attain a goal will allow for a more authentic movement with less expectation. Applying an unnecessary pressure to ourselves or others can leave a sense of unhappiness. “The cultural obsession of looking for perfection diminishes our ability to see perfection that is already established in us as life and is abundantly given” (Whitwell 2002 p.52).
The majority of us have a strive for a sense of ‘perfection’, whilst forgetting our natural state is already perfect. This mindset from societal means is already in us, but it is not something that can become attained or aimed for, as it already exists. Our organic form is already how nature intended us to be, the social culture of models, gurus etc cloud the judgment that we are not perfect as we are. This relentless strive and search can distract us from the life we are already living.
Many are confused by the unreality of the celebrity culture and movies in the western world, which can make us feel like our life is unadventurous and sedentary; instead of connecting to the reality of our life. “Our minds are filled with a sense of inadequacy” (Whitwell 2002 p.59).
The strive for a goal underpins the way in which we live our life, constantly applying unnecessary pressure in order to reach a sense of fulfillment. As a teacher we can discourage this pressure to our students, allowing for them to set the focus of their own practise, with any intention they feel is suitable. We can encourage students to apply kindness to themselves throughout their practise, asking them evaluate how their minds and body’s feel to become more connected with their needs and desires. Thus, reducing the need to reach an end point in any of the poses and viewing them as options rather than a goal to reach for. “Good yoga teachers teach with care, giving practical help for the sheer love of helping” (Whitwell 2002 p.62).
Offering poses to students should be with the focus to empower them with the options to guide their practise in the way they feel is necessary. When yoga is practised without the sense of obsession, or the sense that there is a problem that needs to be resolved; it can really open up the natural state of a free mind. We have progressed to a time now that allows us to be more accepting and embracing of our differences, allowing us to be and live how we want with less social pressures. The same should apply to the teaching of Yoga, the practice is guided by the teacher, allowing for students to optionally take poses following their own focus; any teacher would share the hope that their students have enjoyed and not just endured their yoga. When students set a focus, it can discourage any sense of external pressures, allowing them to follow their daily energy levels and apply personal goals for a truly authentic yoga experience.
“We adapt the yoga to the person rather than the person to the yoga” (Whitwell 2002 p.74). Following own individual needs allows us to set appropriate goals that are attainable in order to reduce physical and emotional stress. Yoga should be for everyone, regardless of the persons age, ability and experience, yoga can be adapted and suited to all needs. The ability as a teacher to recognise a person’s needs is a skill within itself, and often we cannot always understand fully a person’s needs or desires as we cannot feel what they feel. To offer variations can allow students to move freely, exploring themselves what is appropriate with our guidance. The relationship between student and teacher is to be a sincere and free of a commercial relationship unlike conventional business. A good yoga teacher must be able to adapt the practice, by treating each student individually, with the awareness to offer suitable progressions or variations to students.
“Without developing sensitivity to one’s own system, there is little chance of being sensitive to another” (Whitwell 2002 p.90). Developing our empathy and understanding is a characteristic that will not only support our own personal practice, offering more kindness to ourselves liberating the pressures and following our daily intuition with our body and mind, but to also assist in our teachings. As a teacher to apply the same level of understanding to students’ individual needs and then adapting the practice, accordingly, can support in providing the student with the tools for a bespoke yoga experience.
“Yoga of heart is to take care of peoples’ needs without imposing our own.” (Whitwell 2002 p.91).