What do we mean by 'energy' in yoga?

Many students come to class to be told what to do and how to do it. Where to put the arms and legs, how to hold the gaze and focus. What detail or sensation in the body to pay attention to. We do what we are asked, and come out feeling vibrant and energised, alert and calm, centred and grounded (if the practice has been fruitful). 
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These practices can be really helpful in becoming aware of your body, becoming more stable and easeful, stronger and more flexible and all of the other wonderful side effects that yoga practice can offer. The gathering together of a scattered mind to become more focused. The grounding of ourselves, coming 'out of our heads' from being lost or even overwhelmed in our busy lives and busy minds.

Many yoga practitioners leave it there. The fruit of practice has served its purpose, the body and mind are happy, all is good. Roll on the next practice where we do this again. 

But perhaps, at some point in your developing practice of yoga, this body focus and breath focus will become more familiar and come more naturally to you. The teacher will need to offer less instruction as your own enquiry and focus will lead the way. The body and mind may become less demanding and needy, allowing for greater stability and perhaps allowing space for other aspects to emerge. 

The teacher may become instrumental in guiding you in more subtle matters or ways of practicing. Rather than allowing the sometimes whimsical ways of the mind lead the way, guidance and direction can be very helpful. 

The monthly Sunday sessions at YogaSpace are intended to really put further developments of yoga practice, beyond the immediate benefits and side-effects of practice, front and centre and open it up to discussion.

Reflecting on this past Sunday's morning practice we went into the depths of what the concept of 'energy' in our yoga practice might mean. Not in a text book definition, not what the ancients made of it, leaving aside theories of coiled snakes or conceptual energy centres, not in a physics theory (E = mc2 anyone?), but the actual, direct experience of energy - the stuff we are made from.

Can we feel it?
Where?
What does it feel like?
What can we 'do' with this feeling?
Can we change it or manipulate it?
Improve it?
Find deep rest in it?
Does it mean anything?
Can we experience it at all?
How?

Finding a first person perspective of our energy without it being 'out there' (literally and metaphorically). You can't be told this, you can only experience it for yourself. It might be subtle, it might be powerful, it is certainly very curious.

If your curious about your practice, perhaps join us one Sunday and participate in the practice and then discussion. 
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