Flattening out in practice

ufatbasted · 11-19-2009, 10:10 PM

Been practicing asana's in classes the past 10 months 3-4 days a week. I've only had one week off from asana and my other exercises during this time.
Seems I peaked in yoga class a month ago and the past month have struggled to make progress and may have regressed. I'm thinking I need a week off from all my workouts to re-charge myself.

Can one "Peak" at asana's? I know in running and other sports you peak take a week off and start again, Is it the same for asana practice?

justwannabe · 11-19-2009, 10:14 PM

asanas is just one limb of yoga, have you thought of integrating more into your practices? Somtimes a little from each angle accomplishes more then a lot from only a couple angles, however each one has a different path.
My best to you
Brother Neil

suryadaya · 11-19-2009, 10:34 PM

What kind of progress are you talking about? Entering new asanas? Better flexibility? Better strength? Being able to hold a posture longer? Being able to breath easier while doing the same routine? What type of practice do you do?

ufatbasted · 11-20-2009, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suryadaya

What kind of progress are you talking about? Entering new asanas? Better flexibility? Better strength? Being able to hold a posture longer? Being able to breath easier while doing the same routine? What type of practice do you do?

Basically all the above. I'm doing Vinyassa and the past month feel stiffer and weaker in class. Also my breath was better a month ago.

InnerAthlete · 11-20-2009, 03:20 PM

When looking at a set of physical exercises, yes it is possible for there to be plateaus. If one chooses a practice that fatigues rather than energizes it is possible a) that person needs a different practice, b) that person needs to learn from this practice (though it may still be inappropriate for them), or c) that person needs a restorative practice periodically.

However, a plateau (when looking at a physical exercise system, which Yoga is not) typically doesn't result in "stiffer and weaker". Stiffer and weaker usually indicates something else. That could be a shift in diet, sleep patterns, seasons, or the overall effectiveness for said practice for said person (as outlined above).

When looking at the bigger picture, Yoga is an awareness practice, something experiential, something that moves the person toward themselves (though some practices unfortunately lead the student away from themselves). As such it is just as acceptable to progress as it is to not progress as long as each is duly noted, observed, and integrated into the human consciousness. This too shall pass, as will whatever is next

gordon

dustyevsky · 11-22-2009, 01:18 AM

No attainment, because there is nothing to attain.

yalgaar · 11-30-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ufatbasted

Been practicing asana's in classes the past 10 months 3-4 days a week. I've only had one week off from asana and my other exercises during this time.
Seems I peaked in yoga class a month ago and the past month have struggled to make progress and may have regressed. I'm thinking I need a week off from all my workouts to re-charge myself.

Can one "Peak" at asana's? I know in running and other sports you peak take a week off and start again, Is it the same for asana practice?

I have experienced the same thing. I personally do not have the time to go to a class nor some of the classes I explored made sense to me. But I developed a very good home practice for asanas. I can say I have peaked that as well and it has become a bit not interesting and boring at times. So i try to take a break from it; but then it gets worse. I become not interested in it at all, and it starts to seem like a chore.

The thing that has worked for me or so it seems at least right now, is to not think too much about the practice, not set up any strong rules or goals. Just go with the flow and enjoy it. So I just do asanas when I feel like. If I miss a day or 2, I let it not bother me at all. I just keep going as and when I feel like.

Also as somebody else mentioned, asana is only 1 limb of yoga, I also try to explore and practice all the rest as much as I can.

ufatbasted · 11-30-2009, 10:27 PM

I took an easier week from my asana practice figured Thanksgiving was the perfect time to step back a bit.

I took a class in the studio today and felt physically and mentally rejuvenated during and after.

My body was telling me to give it a break and I'm glad I listened

kulai · 12-07-2009, 10:32 PM

Yep, I've been there. Take a break and go for a swim, sauna, cycle etc.

11-19-2009, 10:14 PM	#2
justwannabe saptashata Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 731	asanas is just one limb of yoga, have you thought of integrating more into your practices? Somtimes a little from each angle accomplishes more then a lot from only a couple angles, however each one has a different path. My best to you Brother Neil __________________ pull my finger

11-20-2009, 03:20 PM	#5
InnerAthlete Mostly Good Egg Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,787	When looking at a set of physical exercises, yes it is possible for there to be plateaus. If one chooses a practice that fatigues rather than energizes it is possible a) that person needs a different practice, b) that person needs to learn from this practice (though it may still be inappropriate for them), or c) that person needs a restorative practice periodically. However, a plateau (when looking at a physical exercise system, which Yoga is not) typically doesn't result in "stiffer and weaker". Stiffer and weaker usually indicates something else. That could be a shift in diet, sleep patterns, seasons, or the overall effectiveness for said practice for said person (as outlined above). When looking at the bigger picture, Yoga is an awareness practice, something experiential, something that moves the person toward themselves (though some practices unfortunately lead the student away from themselves). As such it is just as acceptable to progress as it is to not progress as long as each is duly noted, observed, and integrated into the human consciousness. This too shall pass, as will whatever is next gordon __________________ Gordon Kaplan Certified Purna Yoga Teacher (CPYT) Yoga Alliance RYT-500 International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) M.S. Kinesiology, Indiana University http://www.teamyoga.com http://www.yogamojodojo.com http://www.innerathlete.net/forum

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11-19-2009, 10:10 PM	#1
ufatbasted astan Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ny ny Posts: 8	Been practicing asana's in classes the past 10 months 3-4 days a week. I've only had one week off from asana and my other exercises during this time. Seems I peaked in yoga class a month ago and the past month have struggled to make progress and may have regressed. I'm thinking I need a week off from all my workouts to re-charge myself. Can one "Peak" at asana's? I know in running and other sports you peak take a week off and start again, Is it the same for asana practice?

11-19-2009, 10:34 PM	#3
suryadaya unlimited Join Date: May 2008 Location: All over. Posts: 163	What kind of progress are you talking about? Entering new asanas? Better flexibility? Better strength? Being able to hold a posture longer? Being able to breath easier while doing the same routine? What type of practice do you do?

11-22-2009, 01:18 AM	#6
dustyevsky éka Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	No attainment, because there is nothing to attain.

11-30-2009, 10:27 PM	#8
ufatbasted astan Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: ny ny Posts: 8	I took an easier week from my asana practice figured Thanksgiving was the perfect time to step back a bit. I took a class in the studio today and felt physically and mentally rejuvenated during and after. My body was telling me to give it a break and I'm glad I listened

12-07-2009, 10:32 PM	#9
kulai dashan Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: singapore Posts: 17	Yep, I've been there. Take a break and go for a swim, sauna, cycle etc.