Notes on Physical Assists

Three Radical Shifts as You Grow in Yoga There’s a moment—somewhere between your second Utkatasana and your fourth sun salutation—when you realize yoga is working on more than just your hamstrings. Sure, you came to class for the promise of better posture or to finally get your feet behind your head without causing orthopedic concern. But then something… shifts. Maybe it’s the way you start to breathe when someone cuts you off in traffic. Maybe it’s the fact that you now notice your jaw clenching before your jaw files for emancipation. These shifts aren’t random. They unfold through what I’ve come to see as three radical, interconnected layers of transformation: goal setting, energetic awareness, and intuitive integration. And spoiler alert: none of these involve getting…

Introduction The unique intersection of physical and mental in yoga practice Thesis: Yoga offers a powerful mirror for self-discovery by revealing how physical patterns reflect deeper mental models I. The Body as a Messenger How physical sensations carry deeper information Quote: “The body never lies – physical tension reveals mental and emotional states.” The intelligence of our physical form Quote: “Our bodies have wisdom that’s often quieter than our thoughts, but no less profound.” Learning to listen to bodily feedback Quote: “Through practice, the brain constructs a ‘map’ of body positions, improving our body awareness.” II. The Mirror of the Mat How asana practice reveals habitual patterns Quote: “Struggling with balance poses often mirrors self-doubt, while rushing through transitions reflects daily hurriedness.” The yoga mat…

Honoring Roots, Dismantling Barriers Yoga is a practice of liberation — of body, mind, and spirit. But when we look closely at the modern global yoga scene, especially in the West, we find a paradox: a practice rooted in freedom that is often taught, consumed, and structured within systems of oppression, exclusion, and commodification. To decolonize yoga is not to reject tradition, nor is it to Westernize or secularize it further. Rather, decolonizing yoga means taking a deep, honest look at the power dynamics, cultural appropriations, and hierarchical structures that have shaped modern yoga — and actively working to shift them. It’s a call to return yoga to its essence: a path of liberation, unity, and transformation. I. Understanding the Colonial Context of Modern Yoga…