Observation vs. Enhancement Mode in Breath and Asana

Today's episode is about how we pay attention when we practice yoga or mindfulness meditation. Specifically, I'll be talking about working with "observation mode" and "enhancement mode." The idea of paying attention TO attention might sound kind of subtle at first, but it's really interesting when you see how attention and intention lead to actions and efforts in your practice. It starts to clarify that sometimes the growth or depth in our practice can come more from HOW we are practicing than exactly WHAT (poses or techniques) we are practicing. We'll explore how modes of observation (or receptivity) vs. enhancement (or deliberateness) show up in breath practice, and how breathing is approached differently in yoga than it is in mindfulness meditation. Then, I offer an example of using a Yin Yoga pose to play with both modes. You'll also hear some ideas for how it might be useful to apply these ideas to active yoga asana (postures), especially in terms of "alignment." When we rely heavily on deliberate/enhancement approaches to asana, often the practice starts to feel a bit technical and cerebral. Including more curious mindful observation can sometimes return us to the felt sense of the body so that alignment can emerge from the inside out. Listen in for a useful framework you can use to deepen your awareness, and to benefit from the different modes of attention. To connect further with me (Addie), check out my main website movedtomeditate.yoga. You can find practices that align with and support these podcast topics in the Moved To Meditate Class Library. And, I'm on Instagram at @addie_movedtomeditate (for mindfulness, movement, yoga, and pictures of PNW nature and my adorable kitten, Mustache).