Strength vs flexibility.

Yoga makes us strong and flexible, calm and happy. We come to yoga, because we need it, either physically or spiritually (I wonder, why do I dislike the word “spiritual” so much? The phrase “He embarked on a spiritual journey to India” makes me cringe). There are two major physical types that start yoga: a) strong and stiff and b) weak and bendy. Of course, there are two more types – weak and bendy (they should take comfort that they are balanced at least in something) and strong and flexible (you know the type. We all hate them :D), but they are rare. I was the poster child for the weak and bendy type. Over the years of doing yoga, I concentrated on making myself even bendier, because, hey – that was something I was good at! Until I started Power yoga and then Ashtanga, my strength and stamina did not really improve. I have never realized how much easier time strong people have doing yoga, until I started to teach a “Yoga for Athletes” class. This class lasted only one year, but some of my students went ahead to other, more advanced classes, and a couple continued in my Power yoga class. These people were really strong and quite inflexible. The runners and the bikers were the stiffest, followed by the swimmers. A seated forward bend was a complete misnomer for them, because with such short hamstrings they could not even sit straight, and had to lean back. Backbends were non-existent; for some of them a backbend meant just straightening up from slouching forward. Anyway, you get the picture. They did need yoga badly and yoga delivered. The hamstrings elongated, the shoulders opened, the abs stretched. And then, because they were so strong, they progressed really fast! One of them could do a beautiful, floating jumpback from a seated position, just because of the existing core strength and coordination. Most of them learned the arm balances in no time at all. All these strong people were much less prone to injuries, than their bendy counterparts. I am not sure why I am telling that, my brain is a muddled today. Oh, yes, I remember. YC disagreed with me that vata people have it easier, than kaphas. I suggest a compromise – let’s say pitta people (strong, muscled pitas) have the best time in yoga? They are already strong, acquire flexibility fast, and get injured less frequently.

Anyway, I had a great practice today. Aliya was adjusting and he folded me into the best Supta Kurmasana I ever had in my practice. I was able to hold it for 20 breaths, lift up into a balance before unfolding into tittibasana. I would have held it even longer, but my nails were digging into my palms. Note to self - keep the nails short!