On Progress

I usually have my students asking me whether they have made any progress since the time they started practicing with Yoga-Darshini. A comparison of “before” and “after” is often referred. It is always a very tricky question to answer. Even though I “teach” yoga, I mostly identify myself as a student and from that perspective, this word progress comes up within me also. Over the past 6 years of practicing yoga and 8 years of Vedanta, these are some of my thoughts on the same.

There are days when my practice flows with ease. Super strong and amazing focus. There are days when I struggle so hard to do the most basic preparatory practices. There are days when breath becomes so subtle and profound during pranayama. There are days when I wheeze through the practice, hating every second of it. Some asanas which I used to struggle with are now being done with ease. Those that I used to do it with so much ease are now almost inaccessible for me. The only “progress” is that I try to meet and accept the body, mind and and breath as they are…however they show up on that particular moment.

Physically, progress may mean being able to do some of the more challenging asanas. And no, I don’t like calling them advanced. Even the most simple asana can take us to the most deepest meditative states, which is really the ultimate goal of the asana practice. Something that was challenging in the initial days may become very easy as we continue the practice. If we are chasing any specific asana like headstand or handstand – with diligent practice and discipline, most of us will be able to do it. But this has no end. Truly. There is always the next thing to chase with respect to what our body can do. There really is no end to the amazing capabilities of this human body. So where do we draw the finish line?

If you know me and Yoga-Darshini, we don’t believe in the weight loss / inch loss kind of progress anyways. So what can we define as physical progress? A body that is predominantly free of aches and pains, ability to lead our everyday life comfortably without any physical impediments, clear hunger and satiety signals, a feeling of lightness and ease in the body, sound sleep, robust digestion and regular bowel movements, a refinement and development of body intelligence that guides the eating and sleeping patterns effortlessly. If this happens and it sustains, yes, the asana practice is doing its work.

The body and mind are seen as a whole unit. The mind is also called as the body only (subtle body). Progress here is being able to maintain a state of equanimity. It doesn’t mean that we don’t go through or experience the ups and downs of life…but how quickly we are able to come back to a state of equilibrium. How keen is our sense of observation and awareness? How refined and integrated are our thoughts, words and deeds? How aware are we of our inner world? How much responsibility we take for our actions, for our life? These may be some indicators of progress in a mental level.

Yoga practice is not just some physical practice. It works on every level of our being and it paves the way for us to BE as our own true SELF. The practice, when done sincerely, without any “measures” or “timelines” will take us to our ultimate goal – the state of limitless, unbroken, absolute bliss. Masters say that the practice takes upto 12 years to get rooted in us and start showing its effects. But who has the time or patience for it in this era of instant gratification?

So, coming back to “Progress”, to be honest, we are already fully progressed. We are already perfect. We are already whole and complete. We just have to realise it. For that, we have to go beyond the stories and concepts and ideas and tools and measures and beliefs and other such notions of the mind. Just be consistent. Be sincere. The seed that is planted is taking root. Every individual will know of the “progress” that is happening within as they tune more and more into themselves. Be patient. Keep watering the seed. Practice. Progress, is after all, another story of the ego only.

Disclaimer: Yoga-Darshini offers a safe space and conducive environment for people practice yoga to tune into their own body and mind and facilitate a life of ease, peace and joy. We don’t promise any “progress”