Complicated Asanas. Is it Yoga?

Sir, is it necessary to practice complicated and demanding Asanas? People say this is not yoga.

If we listen to what people say, then we will never accomplish anything in life. People will always say something is wrong when they are unable to perform or do not want to challenge their limitations so that they will be able to stay in their comfort zone. World record breakers do not sit and listen to amateur preachers, they practice and constantly go beyond what is known as norm, transitioning from the state of ordinary to extraordinary.

Patanjali says Abhyasa Vairagyabhyam Tat Nirodhah. Tatra Stithau Yatno Abhyasah. I’ll interpret part of it – You must constantly do practices that keeps your mind in a state of stillness. So long all the practices that you do, whether it’s a strong Handstand or a complicated Spinal Twist, if you find stillness within, then you’re going in the right direction. If you’re doing a Simple Standing posture but your mind is wondering around to find reasons so that you don’t need to explore the depth of the posture, then it is a fruitless practice.

Patanjali interprets yoga as Chitta Vritti Nirodha. Cessation of all disturbances in the mind. If your Scorpion pose leads you to such state, then by all means go for it. Challenge your limitations, go beyond physical and mental boundaries. In all that you do, you must go beyond the standards set by lazy people. Patanjali describes one of the major obstacles of a practitioner as Alasya- laziness. Yoga is a subjective subject, it resonates in an individual level. There is no standard set, but you must set a standard for yourself.

You only live once. It’s better to go through some pain then to live in vain. Be strong, be extraordinary, be majestic.

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