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The Quest for the Perfect Pose

October 03, 2014
by Joanne Pettit-Myers
0 Comment

While practicing yoga have you ever asked this question? Or thought some version of it?

“Where should I be feeling this?”
“What is the purpose of this pose?”

Through my years teaching yoga I watch as people try to attain something on the outside, heck I’ve even tried to help them “take it further” toward their desired perfection. But the more I teach and the more I practice, the more I realize that yoga is not about outward perfection but maybe awareness of the lack of it. Yet I am asked over and over again questions like, “should my shin be parallel to the mat in pigeon (eka pada rajakapotasana)?”

What do you think?

Looking at the asana you could say that someone with tight hips might not be able to get their shin parallel. Great. I agree. Then we could take it further and discuss the bones (femur and acetabulum) and how they play a part in the ability for the hip/leg to externally rotate. Alright, two things can have an effect on this pose: (1) Flexibility of the muscles and (2) Structure of the bones.

Now, with this understanding of the anatomy/physiology we can all understand that our expressions of poses will be different based on the fact that our bodies are all unique and different. Right?  No. What?  No?

Hold up!! If our bodies are all different, then why are we all trying to look the same in a pose? Why are we trying to get to this “perfect pose”? And what happens when we try to attain it?

My opinion – the desire for a perfect pose seems to be a symbol of the perfection we want to achieve in our lives. Yogis have become an archetype in our society, being portrayed as calm, loving, flexible, strong, wise and sometimes mystical people. So, if you can do a perfect pigeon… or rock-a-kakasana… well, you must be a perfect yogi and therefore embody all of the stereotypes that go along with that. But, if we are trying to attain something that our bodies physically can’t do… whose body are we actually practicing with? Sure, it’s our “physical bodies” that are being tortured and twisted into asana… but we are practicing as though we are someone else. And when we do this, when we try to be someone else in our yoga practice, not only is it not yoga (yoga in some schools is translated as union of the self with the higher self – and if we are not even acknowledging the “self”, but some desired other person… well… there is clearly no union going on), but we are also, and very importantly, exposing our bodies to potential injury.

Matthew Remski, writer, therapist and yoga teacher writes that, “some people might be getting hurt in yoga because they are practicing in the bodies they fantasize about, instead of the bodies they actually have.” Amen!

What happens when we work with the bodies we do have?
What happens when we work within our limitations and embrace them instead of judge them?
What happens when we stop the onslaught of self-blaming and self-loathing for not being perfect?
What happens when we practice with freedom from ideas of perfection?
What happens when we embrace the difference within our bodies? When we care for and nurture, instead of torture, our bodies?

What happens? Yoga.
And what do we achieve? Our own beautiful expression of perfection – because it’s perfect for us.

Namaste,
Joanne

 

References


“WAWADIA Update #14: Practicing Yoga in the “False Body”” – http://matthewremski.com

About the Author
Joanne has been practicing yoga for almost 20 years and teaching since 2005. She did her initial Hatha teacher training in Vancouver at Prana Yoga Teacher College with shakti mhi. Joanne then moved on to travel to India where she trained in the Ashtanga practice and Yoga Therapies in Mysore. Joanne continues to take workshops and study yoga philosophy and meditation, most recently studying with Sadie Nardini and her Core Strength Vinyasa Flow style... Read More
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I love you Joanne! You’re the bestest. You are so accessible and approachable and unpretentious. The authenticity you exude makes me feel like I can just BE in your classes. Whether I’m there 5x a week, or haven’t made it in for 5 weeks, it always feels like home. I dare to wear tank tops in your classes (this never happens in the outside world). Your philosophy of ‘no judgement -just love’ seeps into me, and for a while in your class, and often for hours afterwards, I feel like this about mysel…
Robyn Colvin
Joanne, I really loved the yoga/kettlebell class. I have taken kettlebell classes in the past however your instructions and reminders with each exercise were so helpful that I feel I got so much more out of the class; and my tired muscles the next day confirmed it. The combination of yoga and a kettlebell workout, to add some greater conditioning, is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks Joanne!
Luanne Kendall
Joanne has created a wonderful yoga community where I feel comfortable asking questions, learning new concepts and practicing yoga.  The lived experience, resources and openness that Joanne has brought to the teacher training is like nothing I have experienced before. As a teacher myself I understand the power of sharing best practices and I appreciate the knowledge that has been shared openly. Joanne ensures that each person feels comfortable and confident during every stage and she is invest…
Melissa Corrente
My mistake (coming to the gentle class instead of my regular vigorous practice) turned into a glorious hour of ommm! Thank you :)
Sue Solman
My back has not felt this good in at least 2 years.  My golf swing is awesome.  I can actually follow through and I love you!
Diane Sauve
You have to be one of the sincerest and sweetest person I have ever met… As for the classes, I have loved them!  I haven’t been able to attend a class since the day you left for your trip since it didn’t coordinate with my shifts and of course my children…  I was a little frustrated but I’m hoping to get back next week.  I can’t even believe the difference that Yoga has made on my running.  I am able to breathe deeper and my legs haven’t been in pain since I am able to stretch them out so much m…
Renee xox
Hi Joanne! I just wanted to say how much I love attending your classes. My mood is always 100% better when I leave. It’s awesome!
Renee Perreault
I just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you how much Chris and I enjoyed the vigorous (BendFIT) class we went to on Saturday!  We both admire and loved your spirit.  I got a lot of out of the class that day, I felt it the next day for sure, but mentally felt very clear!  Thank you again!
Ashley Stevens
Joanne, I admire your dedication to expanding the practice of Yoga and your determination to share knowledge with others.  As you know already, I am convinced that what you have and continue to create at Bend Yoga is a template for entrepreneurs in that you have created not only a business but a business that is creating community.  In today’s transitioning world this I believe is the essence of what business , large and small, need to reach and plan toward.  Systems, as we know them are b…
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It is because of you and your “no judgement”, that I now do yoga – I never liked it before I went to a class with you.  Thank you Joanne!
Brooke Cranston
Can’t believe I have been going for two months and I learn something new about my body every day. Joanne is amazing!
Melissa Macnabb
I like beer, no scratch that I LOVE thick malted beer from a draft at a pub; and I love my moose meat with French fries and gravy.  I like my sports and target shooting.  These are not passions that some people think of when they think of yoga.  So when I was pushed into Bend Yoga Studio by loved ones to deal with my pains and stresses from working in a very high stress environment, I was very skeptical.  I was not giving up my beer, my meat, and sporting life to sit around in bizarre poses …
William Hodgins
My back was screaming today but Joanne at Bend Yoga Studio took extra good care of it… thank you SO much for the lunch class… just what my mind, and back, needed! See you again sooner!
Lynne Cotie
I was drawn to yoga to awaken my body and build a healthy mind-body connection. With Joanne as my guide and instructor, I have learned to stretch not only my body, but my peace of mind. With encouragement, support and celebration of an individual’s success, she creates a healthy space that cultivates physical and personal growth through yoga.
Sue Buckle
I love that you come around and “fix” us, and remember our injuries or special cases to make sure we are okay during class. And class is FUN. Silly enough that we enjoy ourselves, but still serious enough that I feel like I am practicing, and not just “working out”.
Andrea Macedo

Bend Yoga Studios, Dundas, ON
289-788-8800 • joanne@bendyoga.ca