backing off and letting go

buggirl · 10-10-2007, 02:29 PM

I read something interesting in my new Runner's Yoga Book last night. There was a photo of some models doing forward bends, and some of them had their spines sticking out and some of them had a nice little dent. The author suggests that if your spine sticks out, it's not a good thing - I guess it means things are not aligned correctly.

So, it got me thinking in my lovely lunchtime yoga class today. I really wanted to make sure that my spine didn't stick out - which is hard to do! I concentrated a lot on tilting my pelvis up, avoiding a swayback, and backing off. Backing off is perhaps the hardest part - letting go of the ambition to touch my toes and accepting that it's ok to reach a bit less further, if my alignment is better.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is backing off beneficial? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

buggirl

Pandara · 10-10-2007, 02:37 PM

Hi Buggirl,

Sorry, English is not my first language, but what do you mean by "backing off" in the context you mention it?

buggirl · 10-10-2007, 05:47 PM

Pandara,

That's a really good question! I had to look it up in the dictionary to check exactly what I mean. To me, it means to retreat or draw away. So, in this context, I'm talking about taking it easy on yourself in a pose - instead of pushing too hard to reach.

For example, usually I can reach my ankle with my hand when I'm in triangle pose. Today, I decided to back off a little and reached my shin instead (but I think my hips were better aligned!).

Does that help?

buggirl

Pandara · 10-10-2007, 11:32 PM

Hi Buggirl,

Yes it does. I am usually the first to tell my students and other yogis to do only what they can and to listen to your body. Sometimes I find it hard for example to do a headstand, but a week later it is so easy again. I think it is important to remember that our bodies also has what we call bio-rythms and depending for example if the rythm is in a negative or positive phase your body will react to that.

Age also plays a big role, I am nearing my forties now, started yoga when I was 30 and I must say soemtimes I can feel the affect of age on the body. And so it will most prabaly become harder when I reach 50 and 60 etc. Point is, yoga is not a competition, not with yourself or with anybody and we do what we can, no matter how much, the benefit will always be there, if not physical then spiritually definitely.

buggirl · 10-12-2007, 09:56 AM

That's a great point about different feelings from day to day. I know exactly what you mean - and isn't that the great thing about yoga? I really enjoy listening to my body and figuring out what works that day - and what doesn't work and why. It's so interesting that it's not a constant!

10-10-2007, 02:37 PM	#2
Pandara pañcashata Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Posts: 590	Hi Buggirl, Sorry, English is not my first language, but what do you mean by "backing off" in the context you mention it? __________________ Blessings & Om's Pandara _____________________________________________ Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise. - Swami Sivanada Last edited by Pandara; 10-10-2007 at 02:37 PM. Reason: Mistake

10-10-2007, 11:32 PM	#4
Pandara pañcashata Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Posts: 590	Hi Buggirl, Yes it does. I am usually the first to tell my students and other yogis to do only what they can and to listen to your body. Sometimes I find it hard for example to do a headstand, but a week later it is so easy again. I think it is important to remember that our bodies also has what we call bio-rythms and depending for example if the rythm is in a negative or positive phase your body will react to that. Age also plays a big role, I am nearing my forties now, started yoga when I was 30 and I must say soemtimes I can feel the affect of age on the body. And so it will most prabaly become harder when I reach 50 and 60 etc. Point is, yoga is not a competition, not with yourself or with anybody and we do what we can, no matter how much, the benefit will always be there, if not physical then spiritually definitely. __________________ Blessings & Om's Pandara _____________________________________________ Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realise. - Swami Sivanada

10-10-2007, 02:29 PM	#1
buggirl Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 12	I read something interesting in my new Runner's Yoga Book last night. There was a photo of some models doing forward bends, and some of them had their spines sticking out and some of them had a nice little dent. The author suggests that if your spine sticks out, it's not a good thing - I guess it means things are not aligned correctly. So, it got me thinking in my lovely lunchtime yoga class today. I really wanted to make sure that my spine didn't stick out - which is hard to do! I concentrated a lot on tilting my pelvis up, avoiding a swayback, and backing off. Backing off is perhaps the hardest part - letting go of the ambition to touch my toes and accepting that it's ok to reach a bit less further, if my alignment is better. Has anyone else experienced this? Is backing off beneficial? Any thoughts? Thanks! buggirl

10-10-2007, 05:47 PM	#3
buggirl Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 12	Pandara, That's a really good question! I had to look it up in the dictionary to check exactly what I mean. To me, it means to retreat or draw away. So, in this context, I'm talking about taking it easy on yourself in a pose - instead of pushing too hard to reach. For example, usually I can reach my ankle with my hand when I'm in triangle pose. Today, I decided to back off a little and reached my shin instead (but I think my hips were better aligned!). Does that help? buggirl

10-12-2007, 09:56 AM	#5
buggirl Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 12	That's a great point about different feelings from day to day. I know exactly what you mean - and isn't that the great thing about yoga? I really enjoy listening to my body and figuring out what works that day - and what doesn't work and why. It's so interesting that it's not a constant!