Find Resolve with Vinyasa Krama
A new year typically brings about a variety of thoughts and emotions, but one that has remained consistent is the concept of resolutions. Many of us create checklists for our annual goals and resolve to do, or not do, certain activities starting at the beginning of the year : wake up earlier, spend more time with loved ones, or do more yoga, just to name a few.
If you have ever committed to any New Year’s resolutions, you may have found yourself struggling to recommit to those goals at different points in the year.
Likewise, we can sometimes find ourselves in a similar place on the mat.
Imagine being in a yoga class, where the “resolution” is a specific asana or posture. Preparing for this posture happens one step at a time, placing one metaphorical, and sometimes literal, foot in front of the other. Through engaging the body and muscle groups, we grow awareness of the physical form and recognize the repetition that gets us ready for the peak point of practice. Even as we prepare, we may encounter moments of struggle and begin to question our ability to achieve a specific posture. When this happens, we turn towards balance through compensation and rest, where we might reflect, reassess, and redirect our efforts on the mat. Through preparation and compensation, we recommit to ourselves and our practice. These are all hallmarks of the Yogic theory of vinyasa krama, where we harmonize the body, breath, and mind in a specific way to resolve toward a desired goal posture and state of being.
With vinyasa krama, we begin with the end goal in mind, but we start where we are. Just as we don’t start a yoga practice by doing the peak posture, we don’t need to start the New Year by accomplishing our resolutions. As we prepare and grow strength and momentum on the mat, we can take the time to build our way towards the life we want to live off the mat. Slowly and deliberately, at first, we find resolve through both effort and rest, and we might notice that we can recommit more easily and sustain a little longer, one step at a time.
If you are new to yoga, or simply want to recommit to a posture practice, Jane’s House Studio in Saint Charles warmly invites you to the mat with classes centered around learning the foundations of practice with an Introduction to Yoga series this month, or other ongoing classes for Beginners or for Yoga Basics.
Rachael Rehagen completed her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training at Jane's House in 2022. She offers Buti Yoga classes and creative Crafternoons, in addition to contributing as a writer for the studio’s blog. Community is one of her core values, and something she hopes is felt in each of her classes and contributions. Her intention is to create a safe space where everyone is invited to be open, stay curious, and tap into their inner joy.