Practice Notes & Schedule // Week of 5.11.26
playing for the sake of the game
From a certain perspective, the formalities of our asana/pranayama practice sessions are a game or puzzle we’re all toying with together.
A “beginning” practice is about learning the rules: how do pieces move, where can you go, when do you finish? From this basis, a yoga teacher operates as the designated “instruction reader” of a game, offering explicit instruction as to general mechanics and aims of each movement as well as alternate possible approaches and general observations on how and where the body, breath, and mind might connect towards the goal. Tutorial beginnings help us observe and articulate the inclinations of each movement: What are the factors play in each position? What are all the possibilities for the next turn?
Practice “advancing” involves a certain fluency with the basic principles, but finding one’s footing and style is a personal matter. The specific postures, techniques, sequences in play are not a prescription but a transmission of signal, an invitation. Taking each turn, recognizing when the best move may not be the biggest and where softness serves better than force. The outcome of the game becomes irrelevant as the current of practice becomes deeper, then we’re playing the game for the sake of itself. Tuning into the swing of playing.
Our practice/play sessions come to their pre-determined ends, of course, and off we go, back out into the world, but with the gift of the game’s perspective. Our bodies and minds feel different, a bit more mobile, open, expanded. Landing with our feet under us, more able to encounter challenges with a sense of play and give effort with ease.
This week’s practice:
so many practices this week…come spend some time!
Monday, 7pm, Candlelight Flow // Highland Park Yoga
Tuesday, 9:30am, All Levels Yoga // Crescent Yoga *$15 walk-in community rate!
Wednesday, 8am, Yoga Level 2 // Highland Park Yoga
Wednesday, 5:30pm, Community Practice // Zoom, freely offered
Thursday, 9am, All Levels Yoga // Highland Park Yoga
Thursday, 5:30pm, Flow & Restore // Crescent Yoga
Friday, 9am, Meditation Meet-Up // reach out for details, freely offered
Friday, 4:30pm, All Levels Yoga // Highland Park Yoga
Saturday, 8am, All Levels Yoga // Highland Park Yoga
Sunday, 10am, All Levels Yoga // Highland Park Yoga
Tuning in:
Reading: Going deep underground and through the sludge portal of The Earthen Dark by Brad Kelly.
Listening: Complementing the perfect LA spring weather with the sunshine-y vibes of Club Coco.
This week’s photo: Joshua Tree, CA
Liberation for all beings!
Reach out to be my guest in-studio!
x Julia