Stephen Ganga, a long time practitioner and teacher of yoga shares his experience of Swami Radha’s approach to Hatha Yoga. Hidden Language Hatha Yoga has opened up a new world for Stephen that guides him in his life off the mat.
When I first arrived at Yasodhara Ashram I had very little knowledge of Swami Radha or her teachings. Having explored practices ranging from vigorous and physically demanding Vinyasa (flowing) yoga to sitting for long hours in meditation, the practice of Hidden Language surprised me with its gentle and conscious introspection with regular periods of self-reflection and journaling. I’ve noticed after writing a reflection that I find a phrase or concept that is glaringly inconsistent with my generally accepted concept of self. These reflections have a way of sneaking up on aspects of my ego and encouraging a reassessment of what it means to be Steven. What surprises me most is that the reflections help me to look at not only the negative side of my personality, but also to carefully gaze on positive aspects, such as acknowledging to myself through the Plow Pose that I am sturdy and dependable.
Having written records from Hidden Language classes is helpful for reminding me of insights and perspectives gleaned from the wisdom of my body. One example is the realization that a physical “pain in the neck” can arise from my perception of an aspect of my life as a “pain in the neck”. Interestingly enough, after working on this article and with the awareness of what that “pain in the neck” is related to, it hasn’t been as troubling lately. Symbolism that is integral to Swami Radha’s teachings, allows me to see a gradual and steady progression of growth and transformation that is also confirmed by my dreams with their more frequent spiritual themes and symbols.
It’s been a gradual and subtle change. It’s not as obvious as the physical strength and flexibility that came from powerful Vinyasa yoga or the greatly increased ability to sit still that grew from spending a lot of time sitting still. I find Swami Radha’s teachings are very unassuming at first glance. The minds of other young people may first think as mine did, “What is this? It doesn’t even make me sweat?”, but after delving deeper into the quiet reflection of a Hidden Language class, insights undoubtedly begin to reveal themselves.
I don’t think gross and rapid outer transformation is what Swami Radha thought would benefit most of us. She may have seen that a steady, gradual and sustainable practice that can be maintained on a daily basis amongst our busy lives and families would be of great benefit. I don’t suspect I’ll find Hidden Language Hatha yoga tiring me out physically in the next few years, but I’m certainly learning to expand and develop my yoga practice in far more ways than I could have ever hoped.
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This is such a clear expression of what Hidden Language hatha offers aspirants. “Gradual and subtle change” certainly describes my experience as well. Messages like this are helpful to encourage yoga enthusiasts to hang in for deeper than surface impressions. Thanks, Steven. We may refer students to this article when promoting HL classes or workshops in Edmonton.
Comment by Terri — February 8, 2010 @ 1:02 pm