[the constant feedback loop]

Do you remember the last time you received a physical adjustment? Over the years, I can recall just about every single physical adjustment and there is one simple reason. There are only handfuls.

My initial thoughts were that I did not need any adjustments. I mean, with over 10,000 hours of training in the martial arts, I figured I had a significant level of body awareness and observation skills which aided me in adjusting my body to mirror others in an effective manner. Wrong!

This is one of the main challenges that I find with the way yoga is taught but I did not become aware of it until after a few years of practice. Yoga classes are very similar to an aerobics class. One teacher in the front leading the entire room of participants. The problem is that aerobics and many martial arts styles are more external. Yoga and some martial arts styles are internal. That means, we use the practice to get into the body. It develops a level of internal sensitivity and awareness. The way to do this in Wing Chun or Jiu Jitsu is via a constant feedback loop.

Practitioners of these arts are in constant physical contact with each other. Because of the short distance between the two, you cannot rely on your eyes to guide your movements. Practitioners must focus on what they feel and this is what develops a greater awareness. If you are out of alignment, you will find your defences exploited and vice versa. In yoga, if you are out of alignment then you normally do not get any feedback during a class or even months of classes. The practitioners of yoga must rely on:

1. The accuracy and articulation of the teacher to guide the student's movements

2. The student's own awareness of their body alignment

How often how noticed either yourself or another student facing the wrong way or putting the wrong foot forward? I have certainly been that student a numerous occasions.

While the YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) trains people on how to provide physical adjustments safely, my experience is that most teachers spend only a few minutes of every hour class on adjusting students. There are many reasons for this including:

• In some styles like Vinyasa Flow, the format simply does not allow time for it

• There are too many students for a single teacher to make it around

• Students would fall out of the alignment shortly thereafter or forget it the next time

• Some schools rely on the use of mirrors for students to find their own alignment

• Some teachers simply incorporate it into their practice

• And many more

Having said that, there are many teachers who do make that extra effort to provide adjustments. Not only is this noticeable but it is usually appreciated by the recipients. But not everyone wants to be touched and that is normal. Many schools provide students with a small flat disc that they can place in front of their mat to signal whether they want to be adjusted (green) or not (red).

But if you are a practitioner who wants to take their practice to the next level, then adjustments are critical for progressing. Also, without physical alignments, most students will build poor habits and misalignments that may cause damage to their bodies in the long run. But that is not to say that everyone should align their body to the asana in the same way. That is also potentially harmful.

While it is not practical or realistic to find a school that has teachers who provide constant physical adjustments, there are things that you can do. If you are committed to your yoga practice then consider the following investments:

• Private lessons. Take at least 1 or 2 each month with someone who understands your physical limitations.

• Yoga retreat. While these can be a bit expensive, the progression that you get from practicing 3 to 5 hours a day for 5 or 6 days in a row is amazing.

• Yoga Teacher Training. Even if you have only taken a few classes, this will provide a solid foundation even if you do not intend to teach.

For myself, I had a handful of private lessons and a couple of yoga retreats before I decided to take a YTT. Personally, my only regret is not taking the YTT sooner! For selecting a YTT, aside from the normal checks like certifications, teacher personalities, yoga styles, etc., be sure the curriculum includes a solid portion of physical adjustments as well as at least 10% of the hours or more in anatomy.

Feel free to add your experiences below or send me your questions using the submission form. Looking forward to hearing from you.