Starting Out A Guide To Being Yoga If You Are Doing Yoga

We can "do" Yoga and "be" Yoga. We "do" Yoga when we practice poses paying attention primarily to form. A practice session might look like this. We follow all the cues for perfect alignment to the best of our ability. We know how to create a firm foundation for the poses, and remember to breathe in the pose, most times. We practice to release any tension held in the muscles. Definitely there is a strong connection with the physical body.What is missing is the connection with the other dimensions of ourselves". "These aspects represent our internal world of sensations, feelings, thoughts, our witness faculty and our inner joy. In ancient texts they are described as sheaths.In essence to "be Yoga "requires feeling; feeling under the skin. It is here we discover an authentic reality that's way more than skin deep. An authenticity that ends fragmentation, making us feel whole.STEPS TO TAKEHow is this reality discovered? In a word - slowly.1. MOVE AT A SLOW PACE. Let movement in at least some of your Yoga practice be slow. Internal sensations are missed when we move quickly. Try pausing between poses as well as moving in a leisurely pace.2. FEEL INTERNAL SENSATIONS. Sensations like pressure, contraction and release of muscles, are present even if we are not aware of them. Sensations can be used as a feedback mechanism; an important technique for mind-body wellness. "Being" Yoga means being present to this internal aspect of our practice while in movement and in stillness.As we each have such unique backgrounds and experiences, it might be useful to state the obvious - that internal sensations and feelings are personal, unique and varied. Feelings and sensations cycle through the full scope of our human adventure from comfortable to uncomfortable. In time we learn how to honor and challenge our limits and remain in peace regardless of the nature of the sensation.3. PLAY WITH THE SUBTLE ENERGY BODY. Like sports men and women, we can use the power of visualization to prepare us to execute the pose. Furthermore while we hold the pose we can explore directing energy through the body in different ways. For example, while in "Dandasana", the basic sitting pose, imagine drawing energy through the soles of the feet through the legs to the heart area. Play with lines of energy from the hands into the torso and head. Notice how this feels.So much more exists in our internal world. As we watch and feel in our Yoga practice we develop the Witness - the ability to be, to observe and feel the body, emotions and thoughts without judging, and without choosing or controlling. This is union of body mind and spirit, a boon to mind-body wellness and the way to be Yoga.Heather Greaves is an avid yoga student and the owner of Body Therapies Yoga Training. She organizes yoga and meditation retreats and workshops in Ontario and Barbados, and has been helping yoga enthusiasts learn to teach therapeutic yoga in a certified program. For more yoga tips or to sign up for our monthly newsletter visit http://www.yogatogo.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heather Greaves