Hatha Yoga
There are so many forms of yoga today. When I began a yoga practice some years ago (maybe 15), there did not seem to be so many varieties to choose from. I learned basically hatha yoga (some say a 5000 year old practice) which I still practice today. I have to admit, however, I should be more ritualistic in my practice. I am not. Some days I may practice in the morning, some in the afternoon, other days find me doing poses throughout the day and some days not any at all. When I do practice with regularity, though, I find a greater balance of mind, body and spirit.
One of the reasons I find hatha yoga so appealing is because I can do this with very little support. I often use a yoga mat, but it is not necessary. Some restorative poses are nice to do with bolsters and folded blankets, but again, I find I can gain satisfactory results with other props or not any. Another thing about yoga is you can often gain benefits similar to ‘western exercise’ as well as meditation in one practice (although I have to admit I am rather addicted to meditation in and of itself).
I find the balancing poses to bring me the greatest satisfaction. I think that is because so much has to come together in order to accomplish them. I have to focus, but not on the act of balancing and I have to be patient to bring myself to a full pose, then hold it for an extended period of time. It takes time, and as some might say this is a slow process. The strength gained is amazing, however.
It is interesting to consider these are also some of the aspects I find appealing in my painting. It is very much a meditative process where I have to focus, but not on the end product. Like with yoga balance poses, if I focus on the balancing, I will loose it…in my painting process, if I focus on the end result, I will loose it. Painting is also a very meditative process for me. My painting is also a typically slow process where I find myself lost in details.
