Graceful Strength
I’m a pusher. I can’t hide the fact that when I started my yoga practice 16 years ago, I thought I had found the perfect place to test my competitive flair. I practiced for five hours a day, tried to fit perfectly into postures that did not quite agree with my natural anatomy. The result – Yes, I succeeded in weaving my limbs into a pretzel, in grooming my ego by impressing others, in trying to overexert my physical body to the point of collapsing. There was so much strength and so little power, because power is a combination of inner strength and grace. Throughout the years of practicing I found that strength is about receiving, not about pushing. Today, whether on the mat practicing or in class teaching before I try to do anything I want to open up to the quiet power within, make myself available so that the life force can pass through me. Yoga taught me that life is not about how much we push to get what we want, but rather of finding the strength in the moments of stillness and allowing that subtle force to guide us. Tuning to this current of natural flow we are able to tap the strength, which comes from being with life’s creation, not pushing against it. If you’ve ever wondered what Chinese Tai-chi masters mean by the paradox of “silky force” come and join me in the tandem of Graceful Strength.
Graceful Strength – Beginners YOGEA Routine
This routine is suitable for beginners with basic yoga knowledge. It is intended to build a strong core while increasing flexibility, promoting balance and inner focus. The series of poses is accessible and well-rounded, and integrates ham-string and hip openers with seated and standing twists and balancing poses with shoulder openers and backbends. The aim is to challenge beginners to attempt simple poses ordered in moderate flow that involves shift of planes and weight and develops coordination and proper postural alignment. On a subtle level the sequence facilitates glandular secretion and boosts vitality. On a mental level it allows practitioners to gain strength and balance, while focusing on the breath and on the graceful transition between poses, teaching them to abandon pushing and initiate smooth shifts both on the mat and in life.
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