Rehearsing Yoga

People practice medicine, law, sports, yoga, music- It is a practice because you never perfect that which you are practicing. You do not know the outcome. It is ever evolving.

Now rehearsing, although similar to practicing, is a bit different. One rehearses for a desired and complete outcome which is known at the beginning of the rehearsals. You rehearse for a theater production, a musical, or a dance recital. An audience.

Anyone can practice alone. You can shoot foul shots over, and over again. You can read medical or law journals memorizing and citing precedence. You can practice the guitar playing chords and progressions.

Most times, though, rehearsing is a group effort. The drummer and the bass guitar player sync up in the band and create a different sound than just one instrument. A conductor moves a baton indicating when the entire orchestra crescendos. A group of actors run lines and stage blocking together. A director gives motivation and instruction. Lights and sound people design a stage.

The final outcome is a group effort. A group of people with the same desired outcome. It may not be perfect but there is a certain energy that is shared with the group and the audience.

There are days when Yoga is a practice. There are days when Yoga is a rehearsal. The days when yoga is rehearsed is when there are instructors and other students. A certain energy brought on by other people with the same desired outcome.

What is the desired outcome of rehearsing yoga? It is about creating a story with likeminded people, with a community.

What’s the story? Why the performance? Who is the audience? The story is about the relationship with one’s self, self-care, about self-love. The performance is about perfecting that relationship with yourself and the community. And like a humble warrior, when the performance is over you take a bow to yourself. You are your own audience.

Article written by Bill Meakim, Nourishing Storm Yoga student.