There’s no denying the popularity of fast-paced styles like Power Vinyasa or Hot/Heated Flows that really physically challenge the body. You leave feeling amazing, detoxed, covered in sweat, but somehow re-energized.
I love a quick yoga practice. It’s a great way to challenge your body while getting a great workout. A strict Bikram practice actually sparked my love for yoga.
Although the faster and more physically demanding styles initially attracted my Type A personality, I am a former triathlete, to yoga asanas, it is the subtler benefits that keep me returning to the mat. I enjoy the feeling I get after a vigorous class. But I prefer a slower-paced, more intense class because it allows me to reconnect my mind and body.
It’s not that one way of doing yoga is “right” and another is “wrong,” but it’s worth taking a closer look at how you practice your asanas to see if there’s a way to benefit by slowing them down – even a little.
Here are five signs that you may need to slow down:
You forget to breathe when you do Upward Facing Dog… or any other pose, for that matter!
In a power Vinyasa class, the transition between Chaturunga and Upward Facing Dog is often not apparent. The idea of a “flow” is to move from one pose to the next. However, you should not rush through these two poses.
These are simply different poses. This is a simple, tangible example. However, it’s important to remember to breathe and move in sync with your breath. Concentrate on matching your movements with your breath. Make sure that your Upward Facing Dog also lasts five seconds.
Slow down and move in rhythm with your breath. Connect your mind to your body.
Your practice may be doing more harm than benefit.
When we move through asanas too quickly, alignment can be compromised. It’s important to pay attention to the teacher’s cues for alignment, even if you have done Warrior II 1000 times. Our joints are not always able to tell us when they need attention. They may only give in after several months of practice with a bad alignment. Slow down and avoid injury.
You’re out of sync or ahead of the teacher.
You may be a Bikram fanatic and know every word and sequence like the backs of your hands. You may be familiar with the sequences of your teacher and know what to expect next.
Take note if you begin to move out of sync with the teacher’s instructions. You can practice living in the present by moving with a dialogue rather than before. To live in the moment, slow down.
The asana is the destination and not the journey.
It’s a wonderful feeling to reach the next level of a pose or its expression. It’s easy to focus on the next level after a lot of hard work and dedication to your practice.
Slowing down your yoga practice will help you notice subtle changes in the body, even if you are an experienced yogi. Each day will bring a new challenge or sensation. You will see even the slightest changes in your asana. Slow down and focus more on the journey than the destination.
Slow down your life by practicing slowing down on your mat.
A lot of yogis will tell you that the mat is a great place to start practicing the things you’d like to do in your daily life. On the mat, you can learn to have compassion for yourself, others, and even your environment. Then, take this compassion into your daily life.
On the mat, you can learn to love yourself and not judge others. You can also carry this into your daily life. Stress and the busyness of life can negatively impact our mental and emotional health. This is a pervasive problem that can affect every aspect of your life, including the time you spend in the studio. Slow down on your yoga mat when you’re stressed and busy in the real world.
Try holding poses for one or two more breaths, and you will notice a big difference on the mat and in your life.
