What sort of Yoga do you teach?
This question is asked regularly. I become evasive when I answer because although a label can be useful it is often limiting. But here’s the answer: I am a viniyoga teacher, the viniyoga tradition follows the teachings of TKV Desikachar and his father Krishnamacharya.
At the forefront of this tradition is the teacher and student relationship. For the last ten years I have seen Chris Priest for my one to one yoga lessons; I spent five years studying teaching and the therapeutic application of yoga with Ranju Roy and Dave Charlton (Sadhana Mala) and as part of my learning, Chris agreed to become my teacher, supervisor and mentor. Beyond this, I am part of a lineage that forms a network of experienced and compassionate teachers. Viniyoga is a community, welcoming teachers and non-teachers: Association of Yoga Studies
As you can tell, I find it hard to just answer viniyoga. It does not give clarity to the ‘what sort of yoga’ question. Viniyoga holds the Yoga Sutra text at its heart. The breath is central to the practice, cultivating an attitude of focus and presence. Viniyoga can be translated as special or specific application (Yoga Sutras Chapter 3 Sutra 6 – YS 3.6); the chosen yoga practice is applied in a particular way and practiced over time with an attitude of focus, reflection and trust; there is a process, a special placing of steps. In the state of yoga, the mind becomes single-focused and there is the potential for harmony, clarity and awareness (YS 1.2).
The mind and body are not separate. Our body reflects our state of mind and our mind reflects our experience of our physical body. The practice of yoga (asana/postures, breath/pranayama and dhyana/meditation) cultivates ease and stillness in body and mind because it clarifies their relationship through the action of the breath. The simplest practices are the most effective and profound with the potential for alignment, strength and flexibility: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
How we choose to engage with practice is an individual decision. I have been told after a class, ‘I am used to doing more’. I get it, we are physical beings, a strong physical practice has its place and there is immediate gratification. As well as this strong physical practice, you could consider the value and need for a simple and subtle practice. A practice that is complicated and demanding takes us away from our internal experience. This is one of the differences between yoga and exercise; through yoga practice, we become aware of our internal landscape in the present moment. We learn something about ourselves and understand what it is to be in our human form. It’s not always a place of comfort.
Often people start yoga to exercise; it is a good thing to do. All yoga practice is of value. However, when we step on the mat, we are never in the same place because when we step off the mat there is transformation and the more we step on and off the mat, the more aware we are of that transformation. With time and practice, questions bubble up. When those questions start to come, I encourage you to find a teacher who will meet you in person, as an individual, and support you to find a practice that cultivates your relationship to yourself, others and life. The ‘what sort of yoga do you teach’ question becomes obsolete. When you step on the mat just do Yoga: practice, reflection and openness (YS 2.1).
