It’s no secret that a lot of people enjoy practicing the more physically demanding and more active types of yoga. And one of the reasons for this is because its a really great way to escape from the realities of your everyday life.

Let’s face it. If you put on some really good music that has a rhythm and a beat to it, people are going to want to move. And if you believe that moving in a certain way and holding various poses for a few seconds. Will ultimately lead to you getting what you want.

Then it would seem rather obvious that this would be the be the best way to do it.

But that’s just part of the story when it comes to the practice of yoga.

In fact, on Wednesday, May 30th, 2012 Jen Brooks brought this into our awareness, during her Vinyasa yoga class at Yoga Pura.

More than that, she challenged us to STOP using the practice of yoga as a distraction. And that maybe, just maybe you can start tapping into the benefits of yoga that will help you live a more fulfilling life.

In order to help facilitate this process. Rather than playing her usual song selections she chose to play a more tribal wordless beat mix.

Just in case you are wondering, Jen did hint at the fact that the music in and of itself was a distraction. But I imagine she also realizes that the majority of people coming to a Vinyasa yoga class, come expecting to hear some lively and energizing music.
Take that away and the only thing they will hear is that voice inside their head telling them to leave and never come back.

Nevertheless, it was interesting to notice what my Vinyasa yoga practice looks like when there isn’t any lyrics in the music to distract me.

During class...

I notice how my breath speaks to me during the practice.
It tells me when I’m going too deep or not deep enough.
It tells me what emotion is arising with the posture or the moment.

Class continues...

I notice how I’m willing to sacrifice the foundation of the posture (my feet and legs), because I am ready to move on. Indeed, I expect to quickly move from posture to posture in a VInyasa practice.

In the end, sometimes I practice yoga because it is one of the healthiest and most empowering ways to distract myself. And the more often I practice with yoga teachers willing to help me expand my circle of safety and comfort. The more often I find myself empowered to shape and create my own life.

Big Love Always,

Thaddeus