Correct alignment the key to productive yoga

I have been attending the class of my teacher for nearly 5 years now. During this time I have been, at different points of my practice, ready to tear my hair out with her exactness of alignment.

She is of the belief that correct alignment will bring the body into balance very quickly if practiced with regularity. At the start of my journey with her I did not understand this and did indeed curse her silently during many of her classes.

Now, after 5 years under my belt of her teaching, I am beginning to agree with her. I can actually feel that my body is in the best shape and the most in balance of my entire life. I am nearing 40, two months away and I feel fantastic in my body and believe I am sucking back the years due to my yoga practice.

Whilst before, my understanding was such that I would try and get out of practicing the correct alignment and just head towards what I thought was the most flexible looking posture.

Practicing Uttitha Trikonasana (triangle pose) I would reach down to my toes, allowing my torso to fall forward and breathe from there. Now, I could reach my toes but I was facing toward the ground and not outwards towards the wall beside me. This placement did allow me to take my toes and I thought I was doing well. But actually, all I was doing was breathing in a position that did nothing really beneficial for my body. Lifting back up and extending to the side and then going towards the toe takes the stretch into the side of the torso. It doesn't matter that you are further away from your toes. What matters, is that you are taking the posture in the side of the torso and allowing your body to stretch in a balanced way. After not so many attempts at this you will find that you are bringing your torso and chest into alignment and they will stretch and find flexibility and strength whilst staying in balance.

How lovely it is to arise from this position and feel that my chest and lower torso have come back into balance. The correct alignment and no cheating in this posture will also allow your spine to lengthen and your heart to open. This is not possible when you are facing the ground in this posture.

The old saying a stitch in time saves nine is correct here. If your teacher takes the time to show you each posture the way it is supposed to be done and she or he does not allow you to take the short cut and go for the desired outcome, your practice will grow very quickly. Flexibility and strength do not take too long to grow and shine when you are working with the body the way it wants to be. That is straight and in balance.

Paschimottanasana (seated forward bend) is another good example of correct alignment being the key. Allowing the students to work their legs towards the ground by activating the quadriceps will firstly open the back of the legs. Providing strength and flexibility that will work with them for the duration of their practice. Wonderful. Then your teacher should insist on the lengthening of the spine and lifting up on the exhale, rather than rounding the spine and working the heads towards the legs above all else.

It may seem like you have achieved a good result if your head can touch your legs but if your whole spine is rounded and your legs are off the floor at the knees this is helping no one. Work towards lengthening and stretching before you need to see the results.

Yoga is an age old practice and one that is similar to a cake recipe. If you follow the cake recipe and do not leave out any of the ingredients you will be blessed with a wonderful cake that rises well. If you take the short cut in yoga all you will receive is a sore body and the lesson will be learnt the hard way.

Listen to your teacher and open your heart. Correct alignment and an open heart is a great way to practice yoga. For the most experienced and especially the most gentle of beginners. In balance is the key. Body, soul and mind