When we look at the beauty of nature, such as a blooming flower, the flow of tides and the movement of sparklingly stars, there is no straining, only graceful effort. The beauty of the Law of Least Effort is minimising effort to maximise effect. The most current scientifically founded belief about best method for transformation is timing and sensitivity. In terms of this law it is about doing less and achieving more.
As with other laws, intentions and motivations are vital to the returns received, with the Law of Least Effort, the motivation that brings positive transformation is Love.
In the western world the slogan, ‘No pain, no gain’ is the usual motto for many health focused individuals. Yoga on the other hand focuses upon relaxing into the pose, the exercise, and not forcing the body into a pose. For example, when bringing the body into a flexible pose, let the breath find the point of resistance or sensation (not pain), allow the breath to breathe into the resistance and surrender (let go). A sense of additional reach and flexibility will ensue. Staying aware of the body, being patient and surrendering to your limitations and vulnerabilities, will suddenly mean your limitations and vulnerabilities will have less of a hold. This surrendering to limitations and vulnerabilities will bring more balance, energy and flexibility to life on the mat and off the mat.
The three steps to living this Law of Least Effort during your yoga practice and in your life:
1. Exercise acceptance during your yoga practice via acceptance of the body for the way it is. Practising this type of acceptance is not removing the way you like to change it but being thankful and accept the way it is right now as it is the way it should be (and that is perfect). How to practice is off the mat is by accepting people and circumstances as they are, and acknowledging where you are right now is the produce of past choices. Let go of fighting against resistance you may experience whether the resistance be coming from others or situations. Bring awareness back to the moment, accept and practice conscious choice making from that point now.
2. After truly accepting, move forward by taking responsibility for the challenges being experienced. Challenges are opportunities in disguise; keep this knowledge as you move from moment to moment, pose to pose, and you’ll soon discover the fruits of acceptance and least effort.
3. Step three mindfulness of openness. To live this we need to let go of our defences and need to change people. Remain open to all points of view and remove the need to attach to a point of view.
The final step is particularly applicable to the experience of yoga due to the variations in approaches, teaching styles, postures, strength of class, and pace. Yoga is a system to develop flexibility to body, mind and spirit, which is why the different approaches have been supported and celebrated throughout yoga’s growth. This flows into the individual’s life as a yogi needs to experiment with different types, approaches and teaching styles to discover the one that fits with them at that particular time of life. Once the yoga for you is found, draw in the practice of least effort. As you’ve read this, make the class you last took, the last time you waste energy of fighting, pushing, struggling and straining. Removal of these, releases creativity, promotes growth and supports healing.
