Written by Aviva Tulasi
You are uniquely you. Just as no two apples look exactly the same, people (even twins) don’t have the exact same features. We are different on the outside, therefore we have to be different on the inside. We are not even completely symmetrical.
Bernie Clark, a student of Paul Grilley, explains how variations in the body affect yoga in his book Your Body Your Yoga. As we practice yoga we might find that the body is stopped by tightness, tension or compression. It is what stops us that impacts how we move and practice yoga. Bernie Clark reminds us that there is no normal. It is even difficult to say that there is an average.
Yoga is a continuum of practice.
Our uniqueness shines as we practice yoga. Each of us will look different in our yoga posture (asana). Inherent to the word Asana is variation. Asana is defined as a steady, comfortable posture. Our unique tightness, tension and compression affect what feels comfortable and our ability to hold the posture steady. When in an asana you should not hurt and you should honor your medical history.
Yoga images often show extremely flexible young people twisting and balancing in intense surroundings. But Yoga is not acrobatics. An acrobat in a circus is not a master yogi. Advancing in yoga does not mean doing increasingly more difficult postures. The purpose of Yoga is to learn your true essence. Balancing on one arm on a cliff of a mountain is a great show of strength and stability but it doesn’t necessarily help you find your true essence.
Some modern yoga is taught with an end goal of being able to get into “peak” pose. In these situations, the teacher might offer modifications for those who can’t do the “peak” pose, inferring a modification is a lesser practice. An amputee has to modify how they get from point A to point B, but we wouldn’t think an amputee’s modifications for walking as a less valid method of walking. So why should a modification that makes an asana obtainable be seen as lesser? Not everyone can and should do each pose. An amputee might not to be able to practice a pigeon pose. Headstands can seriously injure people, especially those with glaucoma or osteoporosis.
There isn’t a one size fit for yoga.
There isn’t one version of an asana that is the real or full pose. Each asana is a shape that has a specific target. And there are an infinite amount of variations that can support you being comfortable and steady in the desired target. How can one out of an infinite amount of versions be the real version? It is false to think that variations are not real yoga postures. Teaching to master a pose does not make sense. It isn’t about working harder or stretching more. Trying to get to go past where your body can take you will lead to injury.
Accepting your differences is the advanced practice of yoga.
Understanding the sensations in your body and recognizing your limits is an advanced yogic practice. Modifications are needed for everyone. Your experience in your body and your practice is unique. You are the expert of your body. A balanced yoga practice is one that safely and positively takes into account your skeletal and fascial variations alongside your medical history. The teacher will offer suggestions on how to proceed. These prompts are not demands nor are the options limited to what is said. As you practice, ask yourself, “Is what I am doing going to get me to the target?” Each yoga posture targets a specific part of the body and will either strengthen, stretch, develop sturdiness or move energy freely. Explore how the sensation of your skeleton and fascia body respond to the way your body moves. Try out different variations. Find the one that is the most accessible for you. It also can be very beneficial to practice an asana in a different way to target different pathways. And remember yoga is a practice. It is not static. Everyday your body will be different. Therefore, the variation that works for you one day might not feel good the next.
Any posture can be “advanced” if it facilitates connecting to presence, awareness, and love.
Dogwood Studios is here to support you and what your body needs. In all of our classes, we might offer a suggestion that resonates with you, or perhaps you will provide us with inspiration for other ways of achieving. We value seeing our students practice with safety in mind. And we know that means as we look around the room everyone will be in an unique variation. Explore your uniqueness as we move In Person, online and on demand. Join a class that works for you
Dogwood Studios values transparent and clear communication. We appreciate those who have reached out to ask us questions about our waiver. It helps us clarify our language so that it is aligned to our intent. We occasionally update our waiver to ensure that you are clear about what to expect from us and what we expect from you. When you sign up for any of our classes, you agree to our waiver. Our most current Terms and Conditions can be found on the bottom of our website. Feel free to contact us with any questions you have about the waiver or to request a copy to print.
Please email us with any questions at info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com. We are here to help.
Aviva Chaye Tulasi is a team member at Dogwood Studios. She is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT). She applies the teachings of classical yoga to reduce the effects of negative stress and to balance the nervous system. Aviva is available for private sessions. Email Aviva at yogawithtulasi@gmail.com. She is here to help.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT), individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.