The Fire of Daily Practice

Admist the rigor of daily ashtanga yoga practice, I am reminded of my favorite yoga metaphor: fire. 

Fire has been one of my greatest allies over the years. If the fire of practice is too big, it will burn out fast; but if it is small and controlled, it will last a very long time. 

Deep down I love watching fire. There is nothing more calming and soothing than sitting next to a campfire with friends. Fire is electric, soothing, and warming.

I didn't know that I would be so terrified and also awe-struck by fire when I became a wildland hotshot over ten years ago. This was about the same time when I first started practicing ashtanga.

My practice looked something like this for six months at a time: I would do Janusirsana A, Marichyasana A, and Ustrasana. I would do these three asanas each night before I lay down in the dirt, filthier than a coal miner, right there in the woods. Then every fourteen days or so, I would be allowed two days off and I would practice the primary and later, the intermediate series.

The other six months of the year I practiced daily. I would dive in and let the juices of daily practice simmer. I would relish their taste and their feeling the entire following summer.

This simple metaphor of fire brings me closer towards understanding how a serious, dedicated and daily ashtanga practice must be checked and balanced often so that we do not burn out, get injured, or lose our mojo in the complacency of daily practice.

I recently shared with David when I shortened my third series practice:

"Yesterday...very big fire. Today, very small fire." 

We both started laughing when I said this - he knew exactly what I was talking about! 

Here's a very big fire: a million acres that burned near the Arctic Circle in Alaska. Here is an example of a practice that will easily burn out. This fire was heading right towards a town, so we "backburned" fuel in the fire's path to steer it away from burning the town down. 2003. 

When students ask me about how hard or soft they should be practicing...my reply is almost always the same: less is more.

Especially during stressful times - make your practice smaller so you have energy to handle whatever else is going on outside of yoga. Sure you may have a day here in there where you have a very big practice, but remember there must be a sustaining element in your efforts: if you go big one day, you will probably be taking the same practice the next day so it is important to be wise with your energy that you use.

One trick that has worked for me to see if I am using too much unrequired energy is that I have videoed myself practicing. Watching yourself practice gives you insight into what you look like and how you approach your practice. This may not be something you want to do all of the time, just once in a while.

If you have found that you are becoming resentful and angry, or downright stumped by your practice - seek wisdom from the other limbs! Look towards the Surya Namaskars for guidance. Nama A and B are beautiful ashtanga practices in themselves: if you're cooked, just do those and finish up. 

Never underestimate the wisdom of the primary series: yoga chikitsa will restart your yogic battery, and recharge you with the flexibility, strength and stamina that are REQUIRED in order for the other series to take shape.

The rich, nourishing and developed palate of practice comes with a mature approach: when the obstacles to practice come flooding your way, instead of burning through them, think twice about the type of fire you want to burn.

What will your practice look like in ten years? Twenty?

Here's another fire somewhere in Montana - 2002. I probably did my Ustrasana the night before...