In eastern cultures, permeated by Tantra, Buddhism, and Taoism, seemingly paradoxical statements are seen as representing different aspects of the same truth. Yet in the west, stemming back to philosophers Plato and Aristotle, cognition takes a black and white approach, dichotomizing the world into this or that. This western mind-body dualism starkly contrasts to the holistic, embodied wisdom traditions of the east, where dichotomies may appear opposite, yet are embraced as two aspects of the greater whole.
In yoga, I often tell students “you are perfect as you are, whatever your pose looks like,” then later provide commentary around how to safely align and deepen into the pose. For western students, these may feel like conflicting aims, for if we (or our poses) are already perfect, why then must we bother with alignment? The root of discomfort with such statements resides in the mistaken belief that our spiritual growth or actualization is embodied in the physical expression of asana. In America, advanced asana are often equated with being closer to God or enlightenment. Yet however breathtaking the postures executed by gymnasts and advanced asana practitioners, they represent little of one’s inner journey.
Perfection uttered in the context of yoga refers to innate, inherent perfection; a divinity that endures regardless of external form. As divinely perfect beings, we are equally imperfect, as depicted by the gods of the Hindu pantheon and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which captures the imperfect beauty of a tarnished object. This (im)perfection is infinite, even when we may not align with societal appearance norms or western hatha yoga’s alignment-centric ideals. Nonetheless, instructions in yoga class to deepen structural alignment, facilitating increases in strength as well as flexibility, generate a stronger container for one’s innate divinity to be expressed. Most importantly, no matter what our external form, it says nothing about our inherent perfection—this is a constant.
As such, opportunities to incorporate more structural alignment, far from contraindicating the notion that we’re already perfect, simply offer an opportunity to embody a pose more fully without it rendering commentary on inherent worth. In hatha yoga classes it is easy to lose witness consciousness (mindfulness), for example through self-other comparisons and an inner dialogue of “not enoughness.” Yet with the invitation to align internally with mindfulness, self-compassion, and deep listening to the body’s needs, space is created to receive and embody your unique external (physical) alignment.
When balance between yin/yang, will/surrender, strength/flexibility, and other seemingly opposite poles are embraced, physical, emotional, and spiritual equilibrium results. This in turn enables increased skillfulness in our asana—and more importantly, life off the mat.
What are some paradoxical yoga statements you’ve noticed your teachers make? How do you make sense of them?
