When practicing yoga, we may look around at others and make comparisons, such as wanting to do the pose like they do. That might be a good time to instead look, or rather “feel” within. How yoga feels is much more important than how it looks. Every body is different and every sensation is subjective.

 

Gently maneuver into a pose with eyes closed and explore all that we are feeling. Upon reaching a stopping point, examine why that is so. If it is because we feel it in the muscle, that may be an area to gradually work on. If it is because of discomfort at the joint, that could mean it is time to learn and honor the body's boundaries. Or there may be other areas or reasons signaling us to stop.

 

How our ball and socket joints are shaped contributes to the range of movement; the length and proportions of different parts of our body also play into how poses turn out. So instead of trying to force our knees to the floor in butterfly pose or becoming impatient over not having heels on the mat in downward dog, find some grace by moving within the areas of our body’s comfort zone.

 

Modify a pose so it feels good; if necessary, add props to help the pose work. Allow yoga practice to be unique and in the moment. Some days our body may yearn for a relaxing movement, and some days it may want challenges. Stop burdening it with expectations and instead feel and listen to its needs by choosing mindful movements.

 

Jennifer Rabenstein, owner of Spiritual Hearts, LLC, located at 239 Gettysburg St., Dillsburg (717-756-7079), is trained in a variety of modalities, including yoga, reiki, reflexology, sound healing, crystals, shamanic work and more. SpiritualHeArtsLLC.com.