Backing off and letting go

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I read something interesting in my new Runner’s Yoga Book last night. There was a photo of some models doing forward bends, and some of them had their spines sticking out and some of them had a nice little dent. The author suggests that if your spine sticks out, it’s not a good thing - I guess it means things are not aligned correctly.

So, it got me thinking in my lovely lunchtime yoga class today. I really wanted to make sure that my spine didn’t stick out - which is hard to do! I concentrated a lot on tilting my pelvis up, avoiding a swayback, and backing off. Backing off is perhaps the hardest part - letting go of the ambition to touch my toes and accepting that it’s ok to reach a bit less further, if my alignment is better.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is backing off beneficial? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

buggirl

#2

Hi Buggirl,

Sorry, English is not my first language, but what do you mean by “backing off” in the context you mention it?

#3

Pandara,

That’s a really good question! I had to look it up in the dictionary to check exactly what I mean. To me, it means to retreat or draw away. So, in this context, I’m talking about taking it easy on yourself in a pose - instead of pushing too hard to reach.

For example, usually I can reach my ankle with my hand when I’m in triangle pose. Today, I decided to back off a little and reached my shin instead (but I think my hips were better aligned!).

Does that help?

buggirl

#4

Hi Buggirl,

Yes it does. I am usually the first to tell my students and other yogis to do only what they can and to listen to your body. Sometimes I find it hard for example to do a headstand, but a week later it is so easy again. I think it is important to remember that our bodies also has what we call bio-rythms and depending for example if the rythm is in a negative or positive phase your body will react to that.

Age also plays a big role, I am nearing my forties now, started yoga when I was 30 and I must say soemtimes I can feel the affect of age on the body. And so it will most prabaly become harder when I reach 50 and 60 etc. Point is, yoga is not a competition, not with yourself or with anybody and we do what we can, no matter how much, the benefit will always be there, if not physical then spiritually definitely.

#5

That’s a great point about different feelings from day to day. I know exactly what you mean - and isn’t that the great thing about yoga? I really enjoy listening to my body and figuring out what works that day - and what doesn’t work and why. It’s so interesting that it’s not a constant!