{"id":2507,"date":"2019-11-05T09:00:03","date_gmt":"2019-11-05T14:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/omstars.com\/blog\/?p=2507"},"modified":"2023-02-21T20:16:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-22T01:16:26","slug":"downward-dog-re-examining-what-is-habitual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/omstars.com\/blog\/pose-tutorials\/downward-dog-re-examining-what-is-habitual\/","title":{"rendered":"Downward Dog: Reexamining What is Habitual"},"content":{"rendered":"

I teach a broad range of classes<\/a>, from basics to hot vinyasa to honey flow (and if that intrigues you, check out my website!<\/a>). Joining those classes on any day are a range of yogis from beginners to advanced to fellow teachers, those with whom I have practiced for years and those I meet for the first time. <\/p><\/span><\/p>\n

Now for the surprise. I break down downward dog to every single student in every single class. Only a day-one yogi has never been in downward dog, so of course, it is my honor to introduce that yogi to this foundational pose. <\/span><\/p>\n

And most yogis who have been in downward dog many times can still benefit from the grounding instructions, “sharpen your arms, bring your toes up to engage the front of the legs, don’t worry about touching your heels down to the ground.”<\/span><\/p>\n

But what about the advanced yogis? What about fellow teachers in my class? Is there a purpose to breaking down a pose they do dozens of times each and every day?\u00a0<\/span>Yes. <\/span>And it is a reason that extends far beyond downward dog and even more broadly than yoga.<\/span><\/p>\n

Things we do again and again become habitual. <\/span>In fact, it is a great evolutionary survival mechanism of our brains that we can approach familiar movements with an automaticity that reserves our precious brain power for novel endeavors. <\/span><\/p>\n

But this automaticity exacts a toll. It can be hard to be mindful in the habitual. Reexamining the things we do regularly can give them a renewed sense of purpose.\u00a0<\/span>So no matter how many times you have been in downward dog, make it feel like your first. <\/span><\/p>\n