The Evolution of Yoga Practice: Insights from Laruga Glaser | The Barcelona Interview 2023.
TLDRThe speaker reflects on the maturation of their yoga practice, emphasizing the importance of breath as the cornerstone of the discipline. They discuss the natural progression to slower, more mindful movements with age, and the deepening of awareness and trust in one's body. The evolution of teaching style is also highlighted, with a shift towards incorporating philosophy, meditation, and chanting to complement the physical practice. The speaker's passion for seeking truth and personal transformation through yoga is evident, as they share insights on the challenges and rewards of this journey.
Takeaways
- 🧘 The practice of yoga matures with time, both internally in focus and externally in the execution of the practice.
- 🌬️ As one ages, the natural tendency is to move slower in practice, aligning more with the breath and deepening awareness in each posture.
- 💨 The breath is central to the practice, and its awareness can lead to a more transformative and grounding experience.
- 🤔 Acceptance and trust in the practice evolve over time, including dealing with resistance and negative thought patterns.
- 🌱 With maturity, there's a greater appreciation for the ebb and flow of life, and allowing oneself to move with the natural rhythm of growth and change.
- 🌟 The practice of yoga is not just physical; it's also about nurturing and respecting the body, and listening to its needs.
- 🌱 The teacher emphasizes the importance of philosophy, meditation, and chanting as complements to the physical practice, fostering a deeper connection to the practice.
- 🌐 The practice is about seeking truth and personal transformation, which can be uncomfortable but ultimately rewarding.
- 📚 Reading and learning from various sources, including those that challenge one's beliefs, is encouraged for personal growth and understanding.
- 🏆 The speaker appreciates the discipline and emotional responses involved in sports, drawing parallels to the practice of yoga and the concept of 'Divine Play'.
- 🌈 The journey of yoga is one of exploration, with new depths and challenges constantly presenting themselves, keeping the practice fresh and engaging.
Q & A
How does the speaker describe the natural evolution of their practice over time?
-The speaker describes the natural evolution of their practice as slowing down, becoming more connected to the breath, and deepening awareness and trust in each movement and posture.
What is the significance of breath in the speaker's practice and teaching philosophy?
-Breath is considered the cornerstone of the practice, and the speaker emphasizes its importance in enhancing awareness, deepening the practice, and releasing tension in both body and mind.
How does the speaker approach challenges and resistance that arise in their practice?
-The speaker approaches challenges and resistance with acceptance and a sense of trust, understanding that these are part of the practice's natural cycles and are opportunities for growth.
What changes did the speaker implement in their teaching style to provide a more holistic experience?
-The speaker incorporated more philosophy, seated meditation, and chanting into their teaching to complement the physical practice and facilitate a deeper, more contemplative experience.
How does the speaker view the role of the heart in their practice and teaching?
-The speaker believes that the heart must be genuinely invested in the practice and teaching, as it is the driving force that keeps the exploration and transformation process alive.
What is the speaker's perspective on the relationship between practice and personal growth?
-The speaker sees the practice as a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, where one must be willing to confront and work on their 'stuff', and evolve as a human being.
How does the speaker define 'truth' in the context of their yoga practice?
-The speaker defines 'truth' as a deep, transformative understanding that transcends intellectual knowledge, requiring experiential learning and personal exploration.
What is the speaker's approach to teaching beginners in terms of breath awareness?
-The speaker constantly reminds beginners of the importance of breath until they become conscious and aware of their own breathing, emphasizing its role in deepening and enhancing the practice.
How does the speaker balance the physical and philosophical aspects of yoga in their retreats?
-The speaker balances the physical and philosophical aspects by focusing on the morning practice, incorporating meditation and chanting during breaks, and discussing technical aspects of the practice in the afternoon.
What is the speaker's view on the importance of experiencing discomfort in the pursuit of personal growth?
-The speaker believes that experiencing discomfort is an essential part of personal growth, as it challenges one to confront their limitations and evolve beyond them.
How does the speaker integrate their love for sports, specifically football, into their philosophy of life?
-The speaker appreciates the discipline, purity, and accessibility of football, viewing it as a form of 'Divine Play' that can be enjoyed and celebrated without becoming obsessive or overly emotional.
Outlines
🧘♂️ Maturation of Yoga Practice
The speaker reflects on the evolution of their yoga practice, noting a natural shift towards slower movements and deeper awareness as they age. They emphasize the importance of breath as a cornerstone of practice, which enhances the connection to each posture and movement. The speaker also discusses the mental aspect of yoga, including the development of acceptance and trust in the practice's natural progression, even when faced with resistance or challenges. They mention the value of nurturing and respecting the body, allowing for a more natural unfolding of the practice over time.
🌬️ Breath: The Essence of Yoga
In this paragraph, the focus is on the transformative power of breath in yoga and life. The speaker describes breath as an intimate and essential element that softens the body and mind, helping to release tension during practice. They share their teaching experience, highlighting the importance of guiding beginners to become aware and conscious of their breathing. The speaker also relates this awareness to off-the-mat situations, where taking conscious breaths can help manage reactions and maintain composure. The evolution of their teaching style to include more philosophy, meditation, and chanting is also discussed, aiming to provide a deeper and more comprehensive practice.
🌱 Embracing Change and Growth in Yoga
The speaker delves into the personal growth that comes with a long-term yoga practice, acknowledging the challenges and resistances that arise and the need to re-pattern certain poses. They discuss their approach to teaching students, emphasizing the importance of step-by-step learning and the development of coordination. The paragraph also touches on the idea of letting go and activating the right muscles to deepen the understanding of asanas. The speaker's identity as a seeker of truth and their commitment to personal transformation through yoga are highlighted, as well as their desire to facilitate spaces for others to explore and deepen their practice.
🌟 The Pursuit of Truth and Personal Accountability
This paragraph centers on the speaker's quest for truth and their belief in the transformative power of yoga as a path to higher consciousness and self-awareness. They discuss the importance of being an example and living by a higher standard, starting with self-improvement and accountability. The speaker also talks about the value of experiential learning over academic knowledge, emphasizing the need for personal experience to gain wisdom. They share their preference for learning from practitioners who embody the teachings and can convey deep truths from a place of authenticity and experience.
📚 Curiosity, Open-mindedness, and the Joy of Exploration
The speaker expresses their curiosity and open-mindedness, which drive them to explore various philosophical traditions and challenge their own beliefs. They discuss the importance of reading both fiction and non-fiction to stimulate different parts of the brain and share their newfound appreciation for football, or soccer, while living in Europe. The paragraph concludes with reflections on the concept of 'Divine Play' (Leela), the joy of sports, and the discipline and emotional responses of athletes, which the speaker finds fascinating to observe.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Breath
💡Acceptance
💡Resistance
💡Nurturing
💡Awareness
💡Trust
💡Flow
💡Meditation
💡Philosophy
💡Transformation
Highlights
The importance of internal focus and the natural maturation of practice with age.
The realization that practice slows down as breath elongates naturally, leading to deeper immersion in each movement.
The evolution of acceptance and trust in the practice, especially when facing resistance or challenges.
The significance of nurturing and respecting the body in the practice, feeling its ebbs and flows.
The role of breath as the cornerstone of practice and its transformative effect on body and mind.
The impact of conscious breathing on releasing tension and softening the harder edges of the body and mind.
The value of teaching breath awareness to beginners and its application in life off the mat.
The shift in teaching approach to include more philosophy, seated meditation, and chanting.
The pursuit of clarity and depth in practice, both for the teacher and the students.
The personal commitment to fully engage in interests and the exploration of practice with integrity.
The exploration of energetic practice and the importance of heart in sharing and doing the practice.
The process of re-patterning challenging poses and introducing them step by step to students.
The seeker's journey for truth and the complementary nature of yoga in that pursuit.
The idea of being an example through the practice of yoga and the importance of self-accountability.
The transformative power of experiential learning in yoga and the preference for practitioners over academic knowledge.
The balance between reading fiction and non-fiction to stimulate different aspects of the brain.
The appreciation of football (soccer) as a sport that embodies the purity of the game and accessibility.
The concept of Leela, or Divine Play, in life and sports, and the importance of enjoying the process.
Transcripts
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