Yoga

I’m new to yoga, but already notice the beneficial effect it has had on me.
However, sometimes I think I have surrendered into a position, or that I am relaxing….. and then I find I’m not. I also find myself clenching in things I ought to be letting go of, and suddenly my brain runs off with stressful thoughts that are reflected physically, and my yoga practice suddenly doesn’t seem as mindful!
Can someone with more experience guide me on how I can work on these issues please?
Well, my teacher says, "Breathe into the position, and surrender into it, ie don’t fight against it. " I can see where she’s coming from. Sometimes I need to surrender against what my body is tensed up about.
Well, my teacher says, "Breathe into the position, and surrender into it, ie don’t fight against it. " I can see where she’s coming from. Sometimes I need to surrender against what my body is tensed up about.
Sorry YA is being weird and posting everything twice.

I don’t practice yoga, but I do practice meditation as a Buddhist. You’re describing a common problem: clinging. It’s good that you’re so conscious of it. The next thing to do is to cultivate renunciation or generosity. When you see yourself clenching, consciously let go. When it happens again, consciously choose to let go. Do it again and again and again.

Don’t judge yourself, don’t condemn yourself. You have to be generous and forgiving with yourself. This is the basis for renunciation and generosity practice in general.

Unless you are fully enlightened, you will always deal with clinging. The trick is to continue letting go like that. If you do it diligently, I promise that it will get easier for you.

EDIT–As far as tensing in a position, it happens a lot in meditation as well. The solution I use as a meditator is to observe the tension until it fades away on its own (and it very rarely doesn’t fade away). Hopefully this solution might help you in yoga.

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