The Bread & Butter of Yoga: It's not about being a pretzel
by Sarah Metzger, (Here) Yoga Studio Owner and Yoga Teacher Trainer
After teaching and practicing yoga for years, I've heard so many people say they don't think they are flexible enough to do yoga, and I suppose they're imagining contortion-style poses with limbs in all directions (ouch!). But I'm here to share that my favorite thing about yoga is the simple, feel-good practices that are accessible to everyone. Whether it's taking a few deep breaths for presence, enjoying a calming stretch, or moving mindfully, the simple practices have become the bread and butter of my life--the way I connect to myself and to feeling good.
I like my life the way I like my yoga: full of simple things that bring me joy. When people say something is, "the bread and butter," it could just be describing the basics, but if you've ever had a fresh slice of kalamata olive loaf slathered in melting butter, you know that simple can be oh-so-delicious.
I think the most poignant part of the practice can be reduced down to being, breathing, and connecting. You might think that's like a Michelin star chef saying there's nothing better than mashed potatoes (but is there?!), but after 13+ years of practice, I can assure you "enlightenment" doesn't come when you nail the splits or a handstand. Here's a few simple tips that I've learned in my practice that are just as delicious as dark rye and salted butter:
It's always about the breath. Breathing deeply connects you to this breath, happening in this moment, a gateway to presence. Taking a few deep breaths changes the way your brain is functioning, calms your nervous system, and after a few minutes, can reduce stress hormones in the bloodstream. While our breath is generally an automatic process, we can choose at any moment to slow down, take a deep breath, and connect. It's our bridge from the air around us to the space within us. So take a moment, and enjoy this breath, wherever you are (no pretzeling your body necessary!).
Meet yourself as you are. The greatest gift we can offer ourselves is acceptance. One of the most regarded traditional yogic texts, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, describes one of the main philosophies of the practice is "santosha," a fancy Sanskrit term that translates to, "complete acceptance." So let this be full permission to come as you are, do what feels right for you, and aim for acceptance of your body, your mind, your breath, your practice as best you can. Think of it like a piece of toast: sometimes there's bits that get a bit more toasted than intended, and the butter doesn't always spread evenly, but man-oh-man it's still delicious just as it is, crusty bits and all!
That's the bread and butter of yoga: be you & breathe deeply. The beauty is that everything else comes from there and grows: more freedom in your body, more awareness in your mind, more connection with yourself from the inside out. For me, yoga is the same kind of magic as baking, where all the ingredients come together with a little bit of love, a little bit of heat and somehow, an hour later life is so much more delicious. And want to know the best part? The recipe is open to interpretation, so take this as an invitation to explore movements that suit you best, breathe deeply, and let the joy come from the moments of connection just as you are. Enjoy the beauty in simplicity.
