I often start my classes with a SATYA practice which I find to be very luxurious. The slow intentional movements are designed to move fascia and muscle in a gentle non-weight bearing way. Since the movements are often not your typical day to day actions, the practice also encourages neurological engagement by being outside of our usual movement patterns.

Until recently, fascia was mostly seen as this kind of tough, spindly tissue that just held stuff in place. Now, we know that is way off from the truth. Fascia is dynamic; biologically and neurologically active; it assists with our proprioception (our sense of where our body is in space) and actively contracts in association with our muscles. Want to read more, here’s a great article on what we are learning about fascia.

SATYA is a companion to Asana practice, but many of the same concepts can be explored in both. We’ll move into more weight bearing, strength building movements and poses, but we’ll keep tuned into our bodies in a mindful way. Enter a pose & pay attention, refine the pose & ask ‘how does it feel now’, hold the pose & experience it for a few breaths. With this intentional effort we build strength, flexibility and develop our internal awareness.

We practice, we notice what’s going on. Is it difficult? Is it uncomfortable or confusing? That’s ok, those feelings are a good place to be. Is it painful? Does it hurt? That’s not ok, so we exit the pose and asses. Taking this time and this much care for ourselves is what makes this practice luxurious. It’s not always easy or comfortable, but it is deeply nourishing.