How To Get In The Yoga Zone

There's no way this post isn't gonna sound trippy. So cue some Doors and let's get psychedelic.

So, there's advanced yoga by performing advanced asana while meditating.

There's also advanced yoga by performing advanced meditation without intricate poses.

There's also advanced yoga by performing easy asana with a certain breathe quality.

And to be advanced yoga, in easy poses, the 'certain' breathe quality is a must. Or it's just easy yoga. Onward!

In this post I'm gonna have a crack at describing that 'certain' breathe quality. Here goes...

I'll mechanically describe it and emotionally describe it.

Advanced yoga is when you are mechanically and emotionally performing the breathe.

The breathe is long, deep, loud, steady, rhythmic and continuous.

Emotionally: You can hear the breathe via your ears, but more importantly, it's in your head. In fact, it's all you'll hear.

Other noises are just background noise. You aren't focussed on the breathe, as in you don't need to force your focus. But you will be focussed on it anyway. In fact, it's all you'll hear.

It's slow. About a nice easy 5 count. Although to do it correctly you wouldn't be counting.

It's one breathe per movement. There's certain poses where you'll take an extra breathe. But one breathe is long enough to get the benefits of the pose.  Like I said, it's long and deep.

Ooo before I forget, it's most decidedly ujjayi breathing. But there's ujjayi and then there's ujjayi.

Now, an important aside about the level of fitness required to perform this type of breathe-movement orchestration. You need to be pretty fit. Yoga fit.

You may not be able to keep it going for long stretches. But it is possible with LOTSA practice.

We all think we practice in the zone. But, you'll really know you are in the zone when you are doing this properly. More importantly, it'll be the new bar you set your standard to.

More emotional stuff... you are fully conscious ... fully aware ... but your yoga will be all consuming.

Your yoga will also be strong. Freaky strong. Not flashy. Strong.

You may not be able to perform this yoga for long periods. In fact, you probably won't be able to sustain the practice.

So it's important to rest and centre between flows. Oh!...it is most certainly suited to flow. In fact, it's easier to do this using flow. Harder if you are just hitting unrelated poses without graceful transitions.

Now, you are all gonna be saying to yourselves that you've experienced this type of practice. Trust me, you haven't.

It took me over 15 years of a couple of hours per day to catch a glimpse of this type of practice. And I still can't get it back every time I hit the matt. But it's worth pursuing.

Anyway, now you know what to look out for.

Happy practicing, J.