Forcing a pose and holding excessive amounts of muscle tension can lead to feeling easily fatigued. It can also result in injury. Holding an asana for an extended period (as is customary in Iyengar yoga), among other things, serves to highlight muscles that are being held with excess tension. It may be hard for an individual to sustain a posture with the correct alignment.
Therefore the challenge is to find a way to release and let go in the pose. Through this process of balancing activity and passivity, muscle tension reduces. When “static” and discomfort that result from muscular tension dissipates, subtle internal experiences are more readily perceived. The practitioner starts to become more aware of unconscious habits and patterns. Ongoing practice fosters an enhanced capacity for conscious control of body and mind. This is a fundamental aspect of the philosophy and practice of yoga and leads the way towards pranayma (breath control).
There are many practical points that can assist in fostering relaxation in each pose. Try using an exhalation to release into the pose. Once in the final shape of the pose, try to release all muscle tension that you are aware of. Focus on trying to achieve a relaxed quality. Bring your awareness to your head, neck and face. Is there tension in these areas? Are you holding tension in your tongue? In your eyes? Relaxing these parts of the body can have a direct effect on how relaxed you feel in your mind. Try it out in your next practice and see what you observe.
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