Really? I don't know.
But this I do know. Yoga isn't about safety. Yoga is about transformation, and from where I sit, that may not always feel safe. It may not even be safe.
Starting from the poses themselves, the asanas:
You are basically putting your body into positions that are unfamiliar. That may not feel safe, and for some, there are poses that aren't safe for a particular body. This whole discussion started last week in class when I asked the class to do a variation of rotated triangle pose that involved a bent knee. A student asked me if the pose was safe for the knees and suggested turning the foot out instead of tracking in parallel. That's when I dropped the bomb:
"Yoga isn't about safety. It's about transformation." I went on to say (paraphrased and elaborated on):
"There is nothing inherently wrong with what I'm asking you and your body to do in this position. The knee is fully capable of doing this movement, and it often occurs in daily life. The bones of the knee joint are rounded, and the soft tissue allows this squishy flexion. It's what makes us human, organic, instead of metallic or wooden, robot-like. That being said, if a person has "knee issues" or an injury, there are some things that may aggravate that issue/injury, and if that's the case, I encourage every person to modify based on your own body limitations. Focus on what you CAN do, not what you can't, and do that. It's ok with me. When I instruct a public class, I'm assuming "normal, healthy" joints, bodies, minds. If you've got an injury, take care of it. It's not my job to keep you safe. It's my job to present opportunities for growth, and if part of that growing is observing that the teacher is giving a pose that doesn't feel "safe" or "healthy" for my body, then what does the student do about it? Do they do it anyway? If so, why? To check in with their healing process? Am we there yet? Can I, the student, do this pose without damaging myself? Or is it to please the teacher? To not be different? To not draw attention to myself, the student? That in and of itself is a huge opportunity for growth, to see what you do with that information. You chose to ask me about it. Great question. And this answer can be applied to any pose, any class, even in your everyday life. Is someone asking you to do something that is in your capability? Something you can do without damaging yourself? And how do I (the student) feel about working on it? Am I ok with not "nailing it" right away? It goes back to the breath that's right for you. Knowing what's right for you. Knowing You. That is the yoga. Getting to know yourself - that is the tapas, the transformation."
It's not my job as a teacher to keep you safe. It's your job to figure it out. Yoga teachers are not doctors or physical therapists. Some have more expertise and experience than others in certain areas, and that will become evident to the student with continued study and practice. Practice that isn't all about just following directions. Most of us have plenty of practice with that already. Safety in numbers? Following directions to keep us "safe?" Yes, when exiting a flaming building, absolutely. Unless you are at the back of the line. I digress of course. Not following my own directions is part of my charm. :-)
But wait, there's more! What's "safe" in meditation? Looking at your own mind? Who ever said that was a good idea???
Transformation isn't always pretty. Have you ever re-modeled anything? People try yoga for many reasons: curiosity, FOMO, or pain, be it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
If you want to stay safe, stay home. Bunker yourself in. Let me know if it actually keeps you safe. And then the question is, safe from what? And getting back to safety in numbers, how many people do you feel safe with at home? But that, my friends, is another story...
But this I do know. Yoga isn't about safety. Yoga is about transformation, and from where I sit, that may not always feel safe. It may not even be safe.
Starting from the poses themselves, the asanas:
You are basically putting your body into positions that are unfamiliar. That may not feel safe, and for some, there are poses that aren't safe for a particular body. This whole discussion started last week in class when I asked the class to do a variation of rotated triangle pose that involved a bent knee. A student asked me if the pose was safe for the knees and suggested turning the foot out instead of tracking in parallel. That's when I dropped the bomb:
"Yoga isn't about safety. It's about transformation." I went on to say (paraphrased and elaborated on):
"There is nothing inherently wrong with what I'm asking you and your body to do in this position. The knee is fully capable of doing this movement, and it often occurs in daily life. The bones of the knee joint are rounded, and the soft tissue allows this squishy flexion. It's what makes us human, organic, instead of metallic or wooden, robot-like. That being said, if a person has "knee issues" or an injury, there are some things that may aggravate that issue/injury, and if that's the case, I encourage every person to modify based on your own body limitations. Focus on what you CAN do, not what you can't, and do that. It's ok with me. When I instruct a public class, I'm assuming "normal, healthy" joints, bodies, minds. If you've got an injury, take care of it. It's not my job to keep you safe. It's my job to present opportunities for growth, and if part of that growing is observing that the teacher is giving a pose that doesn't feel "safe" or "healthy" for my body, then what does the student do about it? Do they do it anyway? If so, why? To check in with their healing process? Am we there yet? Can I, the student, do this pose without damaging myself? Or is it to please the teacher? To not be different? To not draw attention to myself, the student? That in and of itself is a huge opportunity for growth, to see what you do with that information. You chose to ask me about it. Great question. And this answer can be applied to any pose, any class, even in your everyday life. Is someone asking you to do something that is in your capability? Something you can do without damaging yourself? And how do I (the student) feel about working on it? Am I ok with not "nailing it" right away? It goes back to the breath that's right for you. Knowing what's right for you. Knowing You. That is the yoga. Getting to know yourself - that is the tapas, the transformation."
It's not my job as a teacher to keep you safe. It's your job to figure it out. Yoga teachers are not doctors or physical therapists. Some have more expertise and experience than others in certain areas, and that will become evident to the student with continued study and practice. Practice that isn't all about just following directions. Most of us have plenty of practice with that already. Safety in numbers? Following directions to keep us "safe?" Yes, when exiting a flaming building, absolutely. Unless you are at the back of the line. I digress of course. Not following my own directions is part of my charm. :-)
But wait, there's more! What's "safe" in meditation? Looking at your own mind? Who ever said that was a good idea???
Transformation isn't always pretty. Have you ever re-modeled anything? People try yoga for many reasons: curiosity, FOMO, or pain, be it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
If you want to stay safe, stay home. Bunker yourself in. Let me know if it actually keeps you safe. And then the question is, safe from what? And getting back to safety in numbers, how many people do you feel safe with at home? But that, my friends, is another story...
