Dog Pose, Dogma, and the Power of Perspective
A few months ago, I did an Instagram Live talk (“From Downward Dogma to Upward Inquiry”) with Oliver Crossley, a physio therapist and a yoga and mindfulness practitioner who does strength training. He surfs, plays, and moves in diverse ways--and is a consummate learner (see Live talk here).
It was very well received by listeners from around the world. And one of the things that struck me was how many people reached out to share their stories of how they had been adversely affected by rigidly dogmatic approaches to yoga, movement, meditation, or certain artistic disciplines. In fact, so many of the members of The Playground (my online and on demand yoga and movement platform) came seeking another perspective, an alternative, or something different to enhance their learning even if they still practice primarily within a lineage tradition. The dogma of adhering strictly to certain practices without variety, variable loading, cross training, or a recognition that everybody and every nervous system is different, and that the practice can be as adaptable as we are, is most unfortunate. It is extremely important that students and teachers are allowed to exercise agency, choice, critical thinking, and self-efficacy in practice. For so many, the absence of such openness stifled not only curiosity, but snuffed out the joy, and eventually led many to blame the practice of yoga (or other disciplines) itself for their injuries or pain experiences and/or abandon the practices altogether.
I remember reading a book several years ago by a professor at a famous music conservatory called The Art of Possibility. In it, he and his wife (a psychologist) outlined their methods for teaching young, aspiring professional musicians. One of the things the author reminded the readers is:
"It's all made up!" Yes, someone (or a collection of people over time) made this stuff up.
It was a delightful read, and one that greatly influenced the way I mentored aspiring teachers of Iyengar Yoga. The fear of failure (a motivator, for sure) and desire to get things "right" and do things only one way, unbendingly, in an overly rigid, formulaic manner, devoid of life, permeated the exam process. And unfortunately, it put the "method" above the student, the person, and the process of practice itself. It trickled down into the teaching in everyday classes, not only exam prep. Eventually I walked away from participating as an assessor for such exams. My own process of questioning, of exploration and seeking perspectives outside of the "silo of the method," was taking my learning in a direction far more interesting.
I still think Iyengar Yoga has wonderful things to offer. I am sure Ashtanga Yoga does too. This goes for other yogic traditions and lineages as well as the many meditative, martial arts, and dance traditions, etc. that have been mired in controversy in recent years. The problem (if there is one) exists in thinking that these practices or arts come from a divine source, one that is not human, that they are above questioning, or that they need not be approached differently depending on the person who is doing them or that they need not evolve. They are "made up" after all. That fact does not diminish their beauty or power. But it is worth remembering from time to time. As I tend to write over and over, the practice is process. It is an end in itself, the means is the end. There is always, and only, the dance. And it is our practice and our dance. It is one we can share with those who have come before us and those who come after. But it will never be exactly the same. It is, like us, and like the clouds....unrepeatable.
I hope some of you will take Oliver's class LIVE or in the replay. And stay tuned for his presentation of Pain Science and Mindfulness in early April (for all Playground members) as well as his in-depth Pain Science webinars that will be a part of Play It Forward, our teacher development program.
May we continue to learn, play, and stay engaged in the ever-evolving process of practice!
