As the well-known children song reminds us, the foot is connected to the head and neck via a series of bones and they all work as one unit. So any movement of any body part affects us from head to toes.
Do you listen to this hidden dance of your body when you do your yoga practice? Do you notice how each move you make affects all your muscles and joints from head to toes?
In my own practice, observing and allowing that dance to do its thing is more important to me than getting the perfection of a pose. I let the ideal pose be a guide, not a goal. If I get there, great! If I don’t because I allow the natural functioning of my body to do what it needs to do, I’m fine with that too. It is what it is at that moment! It does not define who I am or the quality of my practice whether my knees are released into a bend in Downward Dog or not. That is provided my hip joints are released which lengthens my back automatically! And this is better for your body than to have straight legs and a rounded back!
This approach to practicing reminds me of my favorite Rumi poem so I will share it with you. Let me know if either my post or this poem resonates with you and why? What is your experience when you practice?
Seek the wisdom
that will untie your knot
Seek the path
that demands your whole being.
Leave that which is not, but appears
to be
Seek that which is, but is
not apparent.
Off The Mat Yoga 