"It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question" - Eugene Ionesco

Occupational Hazard

Last week, I received a picture from a friend on WhatsApp. It was a photo of a rash. Underneath, the message asked, "Hey, hun, what’s this rash? Should I be worried?"

Such texts are an occupational hazard. I should have been flattered that she thought I could tell all from a single picture. I’ll always have a go at a spot diagnosis. But, instead, I took a breath and fashioned a long, slightly exasperated voice note,

“Listen, love…it depends...

Who the hell is this anyway - Is it you, hubby, friend, child or parent? Where is it exactly, ‘cos I honestly can't tell from this rubbish photo you've sent me!? And is this the only bit? Where did it start, spread, and what day are we on? Are there any other symptoms - fever, diarrhoea, or sore throat? Is it itchy? Is it sore? Does anyone else in the house have it? What about medications, travel, vaccinations, previous skin problems, or allergies? What are you worried about anyway - have you been reading about Measles or something?!”

I was tempted to drone on obnoxiously, but I had to stop somewhere. I think I proved my point. To be fair to the friend, she sheepishly returned with more information.

The Answer To Everything

Have you ever just wanted a straightforward answer? A simple yes or no. I’m sure that was what my friend was looking for—easier for all. But I’m afraid the answer to her question was the ever-clever “It depends.”

An annoying answer to any question, no? It depends infuriated me so much when I was doing my yoga teacher training. It seemed to be the answer to absolutely everything.

“Should the back foot in Warrior I always be at 45 degrees?”...“Well, it depends.”

“Is it okay to do abdominals and inversions if someone has high blood pressure or is on their period?”...“It kind of depends.”

“What’s the best yoga pose for relaxation?”...“Come on now - It depends!!!”

I used to think this answer was a maddening cop-out. How could I teach yoga if no one would give me the answers to anything?!

As usual, I exaggerate. There are, of course, foundational rules and principles to follow that give us practice that’s safe and systematic. General guidelines are what a group class gives so well - moving, breathing, sensing - stuff that feels good and does good for most of us.

But I'm afraid since we are as unique - and as beautiful - as snowflakes, I’ve come to accept that the most reliable answer to most yoga questions is still almost always, “It depends,” especially as we start to go deeper.

A Question for a Question

Since we’ve been working on headstand prep for the last few weeks, this posture might as well serve as an example. A question I’ve asked and been asked many times is:

“Why do I find it so difficult to get up (and stay up) in Headstand?”

Here we go again - it depends. The answer might be complex. Just like a diagnostic interrogation, answers start to become clearer if we flesh out the it depends with even more questions. Here are a few for starters,

Do I need to work on strength or coordination? Or both? And where?

Do I really understand my foundation?

How do I feel about going up - is fear or tension holding me back?

Do I need a wall today or another prop? Or are the props hindering my progression?

Where do I lose awareness when I transition into the pose?

Maybe I’m not seeing something. Do I need to ask my teacher to take a look?

Have I simply not practised this pose enough?

Should I even bother going on my head?

Who am I, who are you and why so many bloody questions?!! 😛

Seek, and You Shall Find

Finding solutions to one's challenges isn’t always easy. The conundrum of posture is one such challenge that requires a thorough understanding of our personal story, experience and all the variables at play.

Sometimes, it helps not to seek the right answer but to patiently ask the right questions.

Knowing when to ask the right questions, letting the answers inform the following questions, and deciding which questions are essential and which are irrelevant is crucial, too, just like the fine art of skilful consultation, which wends its way to an efficient and accurate diagnosis.

(Hmmm, I just realised that I employed no artful consultation skill in that voice note rant/monologue above. In hindsight, I wonder if a conversation would have been preferable!)

So, after class, I’ll continue to invite you to ask questions and converse. I may not have all the answers, and the answers may even be infuriating, but somewhere inside, as the exploration continues, you probably do.

Let’s practise.