Why being goofy on the mat is actually important!

Embracing Novelty and Playfulness in Your Yoga Practice

Did you know that incorporating creative, spontaneous and playful movement into your yoga practice can unlock a whole new world of benefits? Your brain craves novelty, play is a safe way to explore the world. In the journey of yoga, we often find ourselves seeking discipline and focus on the mat. We work towards certain alignments and personal progression, and improvement of overall well being through building healthy habits, but what if we were to let down our guard occasionally to introduce a sprinkle of novelty and playfulness into our practice? Imagine the possibilities that arise from moving away from our usual linear movements, inviting silly faces, wiggly hips, and asymmetry ?

All mammals have a need to play to help develop and refine their motor skills, coordination, balance, and agility. Activities like chasing, and jumping promote muscle strength and cardiovascular health, contributing to overall physical fitness.It also supports cognitive development. Play engages the mammalian brain in problem-solving, decision-making, and creative thinking. Animals and humans alike often encounter novel situations during play, which stimulates their cognitive processes and fosters adaptability to changing environments.

From ancient wisdom to modern interpretations, the essence of yoga transcends seriousness, inviting us to dance with creativity and joy to our personal expression of asana. So whether you are taking ankle circles in your down dog, singing the lion king during lion's breath or playing tag with your loved ones, from a biomechanical perspective, exploring new movements can enhance mobility, flexibility, and joint health. 

Ancient texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika hint at the importance of delight and serenity in our practice. Modern yoga luminaries like B.K.S. Iyengar and Shiva Rea echo this sentiment, advocating for a joyful exploration of movement on the mat. We love this quote from Shiva:

"The essence of yoga is to reach a state of spontaneous joy, where each movement becomes a playful exploration of the body's potential."