Inner Practice Series: Escape or Torture?

Over the years of clinical work, I have countless patients who come in with injuries sustained from physical training or practice in yoga, pilates etc. Some are so proud with to tell me that they are able to lift another 10 kg weight today but had immense shoulder pain thereafter. Some told me they have engaged in 3 hours of practice daily, something they have never achieved before and am super impressed with themselves with the control and ability to push their bodies beyond the breaking point but got a slipped disc thereafter.  It makes me wonder, are you really practicing or just using these activities to vent and numb yourself from the actual sufferings and pains you have in life?

yoga-inner-practice-yogasutra

In Yogasutra by Patanjali (THE Bible again for any real yogis), Ahimsa is one of the key aspects in practice.

In translation, it means non-violence or non-harm. Non harm to others and also to yourself.

In my view of the current commercialized studios and practices, the intentions of practice are fuzzied and attracted people to use practices as another form of exercise regime, pushing the physical bodies to achieve unachievable goals and literally disembodying the mind and soul from connecting with the body further.

Real practices in my understanding bring you joy and pleasure and deeper understanding to life, not engaging you with your egoistic self to hit another goal, push beyond another edge in you, attain another 5kg drop in weight, take another photo for the social media, or simply numb yourself out or escape from the real issues of your life.

Practice: The next time you hit that gym or step on that mat, ask yourself. Are you out to escape or torture yourself today or are you here to reconnect with and show kindness to your body?

Inner Practice, All About YogaXiang Jun LimDr (TCM) Xiang Junyoga, practice, tcm, character development