Free Yoga Beyond Belief: Insights to Awaken and Deepen Your Practice by Ganga White Page A

structure. The Flow Series we teach is an example of this type. Outer-directed practices have many advantages. These series are balanced sessions that give the benefits of proper sequencing, many types of poses, and complete practices. Fixed sequences allow us to flow through our practice with concentration and awareness, without having to figure out what to do next. We can also more easily gauge our progress—many feel improvement is made more rapidly by regularly following well-designed, fixed sequences. The second category, “inner-directed,” refers to practices that are more intuitive. They are designed more specifically for an individual or are created by the practitioner by attuning to the needs of the moment. The practice may vary each day, and one endeavors to listen, respond, and adjust to the specific feedback from within.
    Some adherents to fixed sequences say their teachings have remained unchanged since great souls or “masters” revealed them in ancient times. Unquestioning belief in the perfection of a system can be a key ingredient in a recipe for abuse and authoritarianism. Usually these “perfect” systems can be easily disproved, if the adherents will even listen to other points of view. Fixed practices may not be open to growth, evolution, or feedback. Those who believe solely in the intuitive approach argue that fixed sequences are rigid and inappropriate because theyforce the person into the system rather than adjusting the system to each individual. But those who practice solely in an intuitive manner miss the unique benefits of following a well-designed fixed sequence.
    Inner-directed practice and outer-directed practice are two sides of an equation that are related to and balance each other. Both methods can also overlap and contain each other. For example, if you are practicing a fixed sequence, you can still do so in an intuitive way within the sequence. You are listening to your body and adjusting the poses, their intensity, length of time, and other factors uniquely in the moment. Similarly, if you are practicing and creating an intuitive, inner-directed sequence, you still use the forms, structures, and rules of asana practice.
    Both types of practice are unique and useful—I use both of them. There have been periods of months and even a few years where I practiced essentially the same sequence of poses as an experiment or because I was deriving particular benefits. I learned never to tire of the regimen because, even though the sequence was the same, my experiences of it in my body were different each time. The subtleties and nuances changed during each session. At one point I even realized, only half humorously, that I had “never practiced in a body this old before” and that this in fact was true every day. My attention focused on how I was feeling and the effects of the poses. I suggest you take advantage of both options. There are days when following a fixed series may be just what the doctor ordered, and other days where going with the flow is the order of the day. Why limit yourself to one or the other when both have unique benefits and appropriateness?

Mental Limitations
    Yoga requires mental practice as much as it involves physical discipline. A student of yoga always seeks to learn physically, mentally, and spiritually. Our minds can limit our practice as much as our bodies do.The body may have ability and energy but the mind can easily become bored, lazy, or distracted. That is why involving and using one’s mind and attention are at the core of yoga practice. The concepts we hold about ourselves can be real stumbling blocks. We form these concepts and beliefs and continually reinforce them through word and thought. Many students repeat negative statements such as, “I get tired easily,” “I have no discipline,” or “I have terrible balance.” These assertions may have some truth, but constantly repeating them like mantras only strengthens them. The power of mind