Hands on modifications

I deeply care that yoga should be about how it feels and not how it looks.

To use movement as a way to come home through the body.

For this reason I don’t tend to use hands on adjustments that much, if at all (in our Yin Yoga classes)

It is at the core of my practice that I offer guidance but your body is the ultimate teacher. With this in mind it doesn’t feel aligned to place your body in certain positions. I trust your innate knowledge to chose a different alignment, one that serves you at that time. Letting go of the need for strict alignment has allowed me to focus on the functionality of the human body. Trusting that the body will course correct if something doesn’t feel right.

Often at the start of a yoga class the teacher will ask whether anyone is uncomfortable with hands on modifications. Speaking from personal experience, I know that there are certain phases of my cycle where I prefer not to be touched. Often I’ve never had the courage to speak up in front of the class. This has meant that I’ve sacrficed my own needs for the sake of avoiding embarrassment. Touch can be beautiful and healing but I’ve also had several experiences when I left the class feeling more dysregulated from hands on adjustments then when I arrived, and for me, to invade someone’s personal practice in this way doesn’t seem aligned.

Often I’ll complete my own practice with my eyes closed, to remain inward and to help me to connect with self at a deeper level. This allows me to feel fully ‘in the flow’ using asana as a way to access that deep meditative state of ‘no mind’. I think to bring touch into a practice, can disturb this meditative state, can interrupt communion with the divine.

I think verbal cues or gentle suggestions can be just as nourishing as ‘hands on’ but ultimately your body knows the score and I don’t think I have the right to interfere with that.

I would love to know your thoughts on this, please feel free to drop me a line if it feels aligned.