Yoga class

During a life crisis in 2005 my sister introduced me to yoga at the BOAB centre. The curse of temporary ill health and the good nature of my sister brought me, a 50 year old born skeptic, to the world of yoga practiced at BOAB. Two years on I relish the weekly yoga sessions that truly encompass the concept of mind, body, and spirit.

The practice of yoga allows me to momentarily live within self in mind and body, divorced from the outside world. As time progresses I feel increasingly able to transfer the experience to daily life. It enables me to take a step back, to pause and ponder and take a deep breath. Follow-on decisions can be taken with greater clarity rather than flawed perceptions, conflict or the need to control.

So what is special about BOAB?

For me it is no one thing but a combination of factors that come together to provide the overall enjoyable experience.

The BOAB location at the end of a winding country road immediately provides a cut off from modern life. The view around is one of rural harmony and the sound of silence is everywhere. The old farm buildings remind me of simpler times and instill reflection on the pitfalls of modern life.

The yoga house, from the outside, is a curiosity. Its imperfect elliptical shape, simple earthy design and sod roof invites the newcomer to ponder what its like inside. Inside it became obvious that this little house was built for a purpose and by someone with a plan based on deep conviction rather than commercial gain. There are no distractions save a few lighted candles, the sweet smell of incense and a figurine of a pensive Buddha.

It is within this house that I met Esther Ekhart and the many class members who enjoy their BOAB yoga. And it is within this house that I learned that yoga is not about levitating, gurus or standing on your head.

Yoga is a practical well designed program for physical and mental health based on breathing, exercise, positive manipulation of the body, inward thought, reflection and deep relaxation.

Esther’s clear depth of knowledge, wisdom, and deep conviction coupled with her gentle, smile and supportive non-judgmental instruction makes yoga a pleasure to practice.

Occasionally she encourages the class to expand their thoughts beyond the immediate environment to the world outside, the stars and the universe or to the heart and spirit within. To me at least the invitation is there to allow our thoughts explore beyond the physical reality and ponder the spirit of our own being.

Yoga with Esther is what you want it to be and is limited only by our own depth of engagement. That is the beauty of it – mind, body, and spirit, individually for a healthy body or mind or collectively towards a new consciousness.

In practical terms the entire one and a half-hour class takes place on a 6’X 2’ mat stretched on the wooden floor. I know now but could not have perceived at the beginning that is possible to complete a comprehensive physical and mental workout on this tiny space.

The central tool of Yoga is the human breath and when I began to use it I realized that I had used it for years to induce sleep when the mind was restless. What I did not know at the beginning was the multiplicity of ways that breathing can be used and it’s importance to our general wellbeing.

The breath can be used to energize, to relax, to focus and to heal and the concept and practice of directional breathing is just amazing. When we use our breath in combination with the various poses during yoga the resulting energy can be extreme. And yet when we use the same breath to relax under Esthers thoughtful and perfectly timed instruction the calm and peace is to die for.

Inward reflection and release from the day, or worrying thoughts, signal commencement of the session. The breath is used to initially calm and invoke concentration before the most gentle of warm-up’s leads into an explosion of physical activity.

Stretching exercises combined with breathing are used to open the chest the spine and every part of the body and the gradual deepening of every pose allows the stretch to expand beyond its normal limits as the out breath is used to soften the area of stress.

With practice, the lunge, warrior, and plank pose are no longer distressing contortions but signals for a series of automated stretches and exercises designed to improve core strength, back repair and spine alignment.

Even the simple child pose, which allows the beginner a well-earned rest, becomes a tool for back expansion as learning progresses.

The finishing relaxation session is superb. As the body’s metabolism slows, the mind calms and there is nothing or no one else. The soft-spoken and seemingly distant words from Esther serve to deepen the state to where only feelings of comfort; warmth and complete safety exist. It is then that the mind floats and gently explores without fear and the idea of spirit takes hold.

It is difficult to believe that this can occur while lying flat on a hardwood floor and yet the floor provides the grounding on which the experience is built. It is testament to the power of mind over body.

This is my experience of yoga and BOAB. For others I suspect it may bring different rewards but then perhaps that is the overall idea.

Tim,

04-12-07.