Heading into a yoga class with your mat with the goal of a challenging practice, or an intention for a blissful savasana and you pass by the blocks, straps, blankets, and bolsters. What do you need? It depends on the type of class, and where the breath must travel.
The main goal of Vini yoga: Vini - (approach through the right application); yoga - (unity/connection), is to influence the state of mind. When the state of mind can be altered, so can the entire mind-body connection. This promotes healing, spinal lengthening and structural stability, as well as restoration of balance and immunity, and enhanced emotional and physiological functioning. It is in the practice where uncovering what the right application is for YOU will serve you best.
"A good asana practice is like a massage without a masseur" T. Krishnamacharya
Yoga props come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you need a block to lengthen your arm in poses like triangle to allow your breath to be more accessible, or a blanket under your tailbone in seated postures to stabilize your curved pelvis, or a strap to deepen the stretch to create space, or.... a bolster under your knees to nurture your back in savasana, make use of these available tools as an extension of your yoga practice whenever & wherever you need to. There is no end point to the attainable pose to reach in yoga; your practice will differ every time you start on the mat depending on what you bring to it. There is where you will find what you need to feel peace in the pose.
Finding your peace in your yoga pose signifies that space of balance between the awareness of your edge (Sthira), and the refection of your contentment (Sukha). It is there where your form meets your breath, and old habits start to dissipate. Start on the mat and meet yourself there.
Karen Yoga Coach
