Australian Yoga Journal – August 2019

50

august/september 2019

yogajournal.com.au

THE ANTIDOTE

TO FEAR

SEQUENCE

Yoga can offer an unbridled calmness and gentle confidence. This can be

realised in multiple ways: through an asana practice that releases physical

tension, breathing practices that increase energy and soothe the nervous

system, and guided meditations that build trust and faith. Fear isn’t

something to simply overcome, it must be understood and worked through.

Yoga allows us to decipher the messages that come from our spirit in the

form of emotions like fear.

Are you afraid to practice yoga? Do you feel like you don’t have a yoga body?

It’s important to remember that the overarching goal of yoga is discovering

peace of mind, and it’s fair to say that there is no correlation between

physical ability and peace of mind. It doesn’t matter if you practice on a

mat or in a chair, or what the pose looks like from the outside.

TURN INWARD

1. SUKHASANA Easy Pose
   In a chair: If you’re on the shorter side,
   use a folded blanket under your feet to
   make your knees level with (or slightly
   lower than) your hips. If you’re tall, try
   sitting on a folded blanket instead. Do
   your best to sit forward so that you don’t
   lean against the back of the chair.
   On a mat:Come to a comfortable seat on
   a folded blanket or a cushion. If sitting
   cross-legged isn’t comfortable, try
   putting your back against a wall with
   your legs extended in front of you. Inhale
   brightness and lengthen your spine.
   Take a few deep breaths here.

yj77_48-53 brave face.indd 50 19/7/19 12:26 pm

50

august/september 2019

yogajournal.com.au

THE ANTIDOTE

TO FEAR

SEQUENCE

Yoga can offer an unbridled calmness and gentle confidence. This can be

realised in multiple ways: through an asana practice that releases physical

tension, breathing practices that increase energy and soothe the nervous

system, and guided meditations that build trust and faith. Fear isn’t

something to simply overcome, it must be understood and worked through.

Yoga allows us to decipher the messages that come from our spirit in the

form of emotions like fear.

Are you afraid to practice yoga? Do you feel like you don’t have a yoga body?

It’s important to remember that the overarching goal of yoga is discovering

peace of mind, and it’s fair to say that there is no correlation between

physical ability and peace of mind. It doesn’t matter if you practice on a

mat or in a chair, or what the pose looks like from the outside.

TURN INWARD

. SUKHASANA Easy Pose

In a chair: If you’re on the shorter side,

use a folded blanket under your feet to

make your knees level with (or slightly

lower than) your hips. If you’re tall, try

sitting on a folded blanket instead. Do

your best to sit forward so that you don’t

lean against the back of the chair.

On a mat:Come to a comfortable seat on

a folded blanket or a cushion. If sitting

cross-legged isn’t comfortable, try

putting your back against a wall with

your legs extended in front of you. Inhale

brightness and lengthen your spine.

Take a few deep breaths here.