Hatha yoga, is the physical experience of relationship. It is the relationship of bone to bone, bone to breath, breath to muscle, muscle to muscle, fiber to fiber and cell to cell. Stretching doesn’t make muscles longer as much as it makes relationships between fibers and cells become efficient. Stretching wakes us up.
When posture is pleasurable it’s likely we’ve found the right path. It is an indirect path. The map is provided by a teacher but not all vehicles are suited to drive the same way on the same path. We learn by trial and error.
Some of it is obvious and some more subtle. The more refined the mind, the more refined the yoga practice which results in greater awareness of the unseen.
One thing is for sure. If there is pain, sorrow or anger, the relationship is off. And that bad relationship takes its toll on parts that had no part in creating the problem.
When there is discomfort in a relationship it’s helpful to look at the forces individually. Work unilaterally in the pose as you would look at your own part in an argument. Maybe look and feel how one group as one side is different than the other. Then take measures to make the best “deal” for each side.
Perhaps you guessed that I’ve got the contentious governing body on my mind. The incoming is trying to make the best deal for one group. Healthcare and tax reform are big topics. The filter of my yoga mind sees we the people and the people of the world as one fabric. The best deal for one may be the undoing of the other. That is a bad deal for everyone.
Some of it is obvious and some more subtle. The more refined the mind, the more refined the practice which results in greater evidence of the unseen.
Let your physical practice be a metaphor for reality in the day to day. Observe your part and your choices in your relationships. Remember, not all vehicles are suited to drive the same way on the same path. Are you comfortable?
The second limb of yoga according the Yoga Sutras affirms that a person on the right path will be content. A yoga pose going well should offer that contentment. Are your relationships doing the same? Don’t just look at the side screaming the loudest. Look at all sides. Do the yoga. Stretch a bit and give things the opportunity to shift. Refine your mind. Remember, it’s still practice. None of it is perfect. What are you not seeing?