A (7)

61

july 2016

yogajournal.com.au

Your body also divulges a wisdom
when you’re doing yoga, which can come
in handy when dealing with challenges
later on, says James Murphy, director of
the Iyengar Yoga Association of Greater
New York. “The next time you’re in a
yoga class, consider: What happens when
you bend your leg this way, or that? Are
you being too aggressive? Are you creating
resistance? Are you giving enough?” In your
daily life, ask yourself similar questions
when a conversation becomes difficult or
heated. Checking in with yourself like this
can help you navigate conflict and reset
conversations. It makes you more
thoughtful, less reactive.
Inviting loved ones to practice
yoga with you could trigger further
breakthroughs. In her counselling work,
Feldman asks clients to perform tandem
poses. “They always laugh and say: ‘Oh, my

knees!’ or ‘Oh, my hamstrings!’ But their

heart rates go down, and afterward they

hug on impulse,” she says.

TRY IT Promote the flow of

positive energy in your relationships

with this exercise from Elysabeth

Williamson, founder of Principle-Based

Partner Yoga in Santa Barbara,

California. Sit in a quiet place and

rub your hands together in front of

your heart. Feel the heart energy

growing in your hands, and then

slowly draw them apart – they

should be tingly and magnetic.

Tune in to the sensation, basking

in its healing power. To practice as

a couple, sit facing each other and

turn your warmed palms toward

one another.

Yoga provides you with an instant

community of fellow yogis.

There’s a beautiful moment that frequently

occurs at the heart of a big yoga class,

when everyone’s listening to the teacher

and transitioning through poses in unison.

Sinking into that wonderful group energy

amplifies feelings of safety and trust; it

seems like you’re in a sacred circle, taking

part in a great communion. “There’s a sense

of, ‘We’re all here doing this together. I’m

not an outlier in this world,’” says Robert

Jon Waldinger, MD, director of Harvard’s

Study of Adult Development.

At yoga festivals, retreats, teacher

trainings, and even in local classes, there’s

a real bond that spreads among a group of

yogis who’ve chosen the same type of

experience. Murphy sees it happen all the

time in his Iyengar classes: “People forge

communities. They become friends for life.”