I love when students ask questions or comment on an aspect of class that works or does not work for them. I sometimes get comments on the movements that I use in my classes that are not classical hatha yoga poses. Many of these movements are based on Mukunda Stiles’ Joint Freeing Series, which I have attached below. (Mukunda Stiles is a well known yoga teacher and yoga therapist).

One student recently asked me, “how is this yoga?” Another student told me after attending another class, that she could not access the poses the same way without starting with the joint freeing warm ups that I do. So, I will answer the first student’s question.

First, here is a very quick and very high level bit of background….

When looking at yoga from the perspective of the Yoga Sutras, we learn that there are 8 limbs of yoga. Each one contributes to our ability to continue on the path of yoga. They must all be practiced all of the time to reach the final goal or state of yoga. So it is not like a ladder, that you achieve one limb and then leave it behind, you continue your practice.

*Asana- the practice of physical poses- is just the third limb.

*The first two limbs relate to our actions, morals and disciplines as they relate to ourselves and others.

*The fourth relates to energy movement, often by breath techniques.

*The fifth, is about sense withdrawal (I wrote about this last month, as I struggled with it during my silence retreat).

*The next two are related to the focus of attention and meditation.

*The final is Samadhi, enlightenment.

In our classes we often focus on this third limb- Asana- in an effort to break down some of the habits or barriers to the practice of the other limbs. If you are reading this and thinking, but that is not MY goal. That is okay. Your goal is probably something that is in alignment with it…for instance, to walk out of class feeling calmer with a still mind, and therefore more able to understand yourself and others, become less reactive and more compassionate. Or maybe it is to feel better in your body so that you can lead a fuller, more active life within your family and community. At least, I hope this is how you feel when you leave a class.

We all know that there are habits that we have and lots of barriers to always being able to feel calm, with a still mind. Dukha- suffering- is a concept discussed in the Sutras that explains what might throw us off of our path of yoga. There is emotional suffering- sorrow, grief, anger- and physical suffering- pain, disease, lack of balance-, and more. Yoga (all of the limbs) can help to reduce or prevent this suffering. Asana is a part of that.

So how does this answer my student’s question about joint freeing movements and yoga? My students are often middle-aged or older adults. They often have a deep understanding of dukha. The slow, mindful movements of the Joint Freeing Series help to direct their awareness inward in a positive way. We notice how it feels to move safely in all directions. Moving all of the joints helps us to access the more classical poses, in ways that are safe for our bodies. For some of us, moving into a classical asana immediately may create pain, or we may feel so distracted and off balance that we cannot be in the present moment. It can even feel unsafe to do so! So, the joint freeing movements are critical to the rest of the asana practice…and the rest of the yoga practice.

Moving our bodies with intention and knowing what we need to practice asana opens up the path to self-awareness, contentment, and non-greed. It helps us to use our breath and energy to free ourselves from habits that cause suffering. Maybe it helps us to draw our awareness to the present moment rather than worrying about our suffering (on or off the mat). Maybe it helps us to focus our attention and to meditate. Maybe it helps us to feel better in our bodies and move through the world in a kinder, more empathetic way.

I always include parts of the joint freeing series in my classes. It helps me in so many ways (even when I do it 3x a day). My students tell me that it helps them in so many ways.

Please take a look at Mukunda Stiles’ series that I have attached below. Try some of the movements. Look for videos that people have made based on this. Attend one of my classes. Try to do a little of the Joint Freeing Series every day. Always be sure to listen to your body, stay safe, and stay within a pain free zone, but KEEP MOVING!