On props and modifications

Would you go out in the rain without an umbrella? No. Can you? Yes. But why would you want to?

That’s how I feel about using props and modifying poses in yoga. They’re necessary to the practice. I don’t understand why people don’t use props or take modifications.

This need to do the “fullest expression” of every pose is ridiculous. I taught a class the other day and the venue asked students to fill out surveys after the class. One of the students said that I was a great teacher but I couldn’t do all of the poses. In her mind, because I taught the modified versions of two poses, that meant I couldn’t do them.

From here I could go into a rant about letting your ego go when practicing yoga. Or explain why I taught the modified versions of those postures. But instead I’m going to let it go. I do not need to defend myself or my teaching style, and I don’t need to rant about the ego and yoga. You can find that rant in a million different places.

The point here is take the modification. Use your block, strap, or anything that makes your practice yours. Modifying yoga is not cheating. Modifying yoga so that it works for you means you are honoring yourself. You are taking what you need. Your yoga practice is yours, not the teacher’s and certainly does not belong to the person on the mat next to you.

If you really need the fullest expression, then go for it. But don’t obsess over it. If you don’t get there today, maybe you will tomorrow. Maybe you never will, and that’s okay. We fixate on yoga poses like we do pants sizes. I will be a better yogi if I can do a headstand. I will be happier if I wear a certain size. Will you, really? Or will you be a better person when you learn how to connect your breath with your mind, or discover your strength through asana? I bet it’s the latter.