The power in "power yoga" comes from developing the ability to be skillful in one's action. This is what we're practicing. .

Do you see these blocks? They are just blocks. They are neither inherently good, nor bad. They can foster strength just as easily as they foster self limiting beliefs. They are simply “building blocks” without objective— that which is being built is specific to the individual using them. I have heard others say differently. I am always wary of someone who tries to make their experience my experience. .

In practice, very early on, it looks like the aim is to make a shape.... that the ability to make a posture is the skill of yoga... and i dare say, at first, it is. But I would also posit that this kind of idea is somewhat limiting of the deep potential this practice has for developing a cornucopia of other desirable skills, including the skill of self realization. .

When others tell you that practice must be this way or that, do you wonder why? The Ashtanga Yoga practice is so inclusive and vast, why should we be limiting of the tools we can collect? Why should we limit our own resourcefulness, in fact our very own skillfulness?
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What if the skill we are working on in practice is taking a step back without a sense of failure? How might we be able to foster out of the box thinking, more expansive thought?
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What of the skill related to taking a step forward without a sense of completionism? How can we view the means as the ends instead of the ends as a goal. .
What if the skill of deep empathy? How can we relate our body to privilege? .

What of the skill of recognizing sameness without ignoring difference? And how about it’s inverted sister, honoring difference without ignoring sameness?
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When you see these blocks, do you see an effort at universal oneness, weakness, or effort at compassion? In my understanding of yoga, they are exactly what you make of them. .

Better make it good.