05/13/2025
The biggest mistake in yoga is confusing the pose with the goal. It is and was never about attaining postures. It is about attaining freedom.
Freedom from what?
Some would say it’s freedom from the fluctuations of the mind. Others may say it’s freedom from the illusion of separation from the Divine (which infuses everything). Others may say something else entirely.
Can yoga create beneficial shifts in the physical body - increase length and strength of muscles, correct postural imbalances, even support hormonal regulation? Absolutely.
And yet it’s more than that.
The main focus of my practice and teaching is using the poses to reveal our patterns.
When faced with a challenging pose, notice the internal dialogue (comparing to others, judging yourself, cursing the teacher etc) and notice your habitual response to the physical and mental discomfort (do you force yourself to create a shape despite the body’s feedback, do you quit, do you fidget and squirm…).
When practicing in this way yoga becomes the practice arena for your life. You can start to notice patterns of thought and reactivity that maybe don’t serve you. And then with that awareness you can start to cultivate new ways of being.
THIS is where things get ✨ magical ✨
All of a sudden you start finding a compassionate dialogue towards yourself in hard moments in life.
You start to pause before reacting to a challenging conversation or interaction at work or home.
You start to align your responses to life with your deepest values.
You start to create ripples of change in your community by living more awake.
And yes, along the way maybe you learn to stand on your hands or touch your toes… but this was merely a side effect of a spiritual practice.
It was never about the poses.
It was always about freedom.
