I’m sure you’ve heard the expression “No Pain, No Gain,” often referring to exercise. The premise is that you must be willing to suffer to get results.

Yoga movement is different from standard exercise. This past week in classes I had several students (mostly new) ask about how much they should “push” or endure what we were doing to get benefits.

Mindful movement is something to appreciate and explore, and yoga is intended to ease suffering. You may come to class in pain, but yoga should never increase your pain.

Pain is the body’s way of telling you that you are in danger of harm. True pain is sharp, burning, stabbing, or possibly a sensation of electrical tingling. It does NOT decrease if you keep going, but rather intensifies.

Discomfort is different from pain, and it’s important to be able to differentiate between the two. Using your body in ways you may not be used to can be uncomfortable, but also beneficial as you increase mobility, strength, and flexibility.

To test this out, use your breath as a cue. I often say that if you are holding your breath to maintain a pose, you’ve gone too far. However, if you feel achy or stiff, it’s worth a try to take some calm, deep breaths and see if the feeling eases or improves. When in doubt, leave it out!

Be Well,

Eva