Why Alignment Matters In Your Ashtanga Yoga Practice
In the world of yoga, there are many different styles and schools of thought. Ashtanga is one of the most popular, but it's also one that has its own unique characteristics. One of these unique characteristics is alignment—specifically, how much space there is between your hands or feet on either side as they move through a pose.
If you're new to yoga or haven't practised in a long time (or ever), it's possible to get into positions where your body doesn't feel very aligned at all with respect to other parts like hips or shoulders—and this can be dangerous. So what does good alignment look like? Here are some reasons why alignment matters when practising yoga.
Alignment Prevents Injuries During Yoga
Alignment is the key to preventing injuries during yoga. When your body is aligned correctly, it increases the strength of your muscles and reduces the risk of injury.
Injuries can happen in many different places: on your back, neck, shoulders or arms; in your knees; as well as lower back pain from poor alignment. If you're prone to getting injured while practising Ashtanga Yoga then it's important that you learn how to avoid these common injuries so that they don't interfere with your practice.
The first step in preventing injury is making sure that you're doing everything right before moving onto another pose. The best way to explore the intricate details of each asana is to take an intensive yoga workshop. Rather than rushing through postures in a regular class, you’ll find out what works best for your body. This will allow you to not only execute the asanas properly but also hold them for the right amount of time.
Alignment Helps Build Strength and Flexibility
Alignment is one of the most important aspects of Ashtanga Yoga. It helps you build strength and flexibility, which are essential for a good practice.
To understand why alignment matters so much in your practice, it's important first to understand how alignment works throughout the body. When practising any kind of movement that requires core strength—like lifting a heavy object or doing lunges—you need to be able to maintain your balance while moving into positions where gravity may not be helping you stay upright all at once (like when bending over).
If you're not aligned correctly, then your body won't have as much support from its own structure as it would if everything were lined up properly with each other; therefore this will lead directly into injury potentials due specifically because there isn't enough support being given by those joints.
Alignment Gives You More Power and Control in Your Yoga Practice
Alignment is a state of being where you are aligned in your heart, mind, and body. When you’re aligned, it allows you to experience more power and control within the asana. This makes it easier for us to stay focused on what we are doing in each moment because our minds are not scattered by other thoughts or feelings.
Develop Mindfulness: Naturally Stay Present While Practising Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is all about developing mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of being aware of your thoughts, actions and sensations in the present moment. It helps you stay focused on your yoga practice, grounded in your practice and aware of what’s going on around you.
When we are mindful, we pay attention to our thoughts without judging them or getting caught up in them. We can also notice how we respond emotionally to certain situations or people as well as how these reactions affect us physically.
If you’re new to yoga, or if you’ve been practising for years but aren’t getting the results you want, then alignment can be a great way to get back on track. The most important thing is that your body feels stable and balanced when doing poses. It will take time before your body gets used to this new way of practising yoga—but in the end, it will definitely help you build a more solid foundation in your Ashtanga practice.
