Yoga Practice is a Method

The following was written by Jonathan Austman and published in the April 2011 Newsletter of Winnipeg Yoga Shala. (The archive for the newsletters of Winnipeg Yoga Shala can be found  here.)   I liked Jonathan's article so much I wanted to pass it on to you (and to have an easily accessible copy in the digiverse for my own reference):

The days are getting longer, the sun is warming the earth and smiles are appearing everywhere! During morning Mysore practice the brilliance of the sun warms our bodies and hearts as we take our practice. It is a truly beautiful and inspiring experience! Along with the new and fresh growth that spring is ushering in there are many new students coming to practice each day. Old and new students are expressing their gratitude for finding a space where they are supported as they explore the depths of mind, body and breath and the resulting development of skillfulness at being more present and grounded in all aspects of their lives.




I am grateful for all of the students and teachers at the Shala who support the growth of yoga in our community by taking up the work of yoga. Too often yoga is presented as a way to forget about our stresses and problems. Taken this way yoga easily becomes a method of avoidance, a way of covering up or skipping past the deep-seated roots of our neuroses and anxieties. Yoga practice is a method, a process, of digging deeper and deeper into our bodies, minds and character. It is a method for learning to be fully engaged in the unfolding of our lives, to be as present and mindful in our struggles as we are in our ease. It is hard work and takes a long time. It takes regular application of the methods we learn and practice. It is meant to challenge our likes and dislikes, to bring us face to face with our fear and weakness. It challenges us to accept ourselves as we are and to move forward from that place. By taking yoga this way we uncover and access our strengths. It is through this difficult work, going slowly, being patient and attentive to our actions on the mat that we mine to the depths of our character and find true release from our struggle and suffering when we are off the mat. We learn to practice with acceptance and faith, to respect our teachers and the methods they present, to not rush or question the process. By doing this we may experience the true freedom that comes from surrendering to what is. I am inspired by all of you who are willing to undertake the difficult task of becoming better human beings. By doing this for ourselves we are making the world a more balanced and peaceful place.



Om Shanti,



Jonathan