Why yoga is not a sport - explore "Pratyahara"

Students asked me how long can I hold onto a headstand?

Seriously, I don’t know. At the beginning I still count my breath 10, 15, 25 breaths, but nowadays I don’t count anymore. Just experiencing how good I felt on my lower back ( use to have very bad lower back pain ) immersing myself into this asana ( postures), be one with the asana.

Those who is timing themselves are the goal-oriented practitioners. When one is goal-oriented, not only he is prone to injuries, he is also deviated from the path of pratyahara - withdrawal of senses in the 5th practice of “The 8 limbs of yoga” recorded in the Yoga Sutra by ancient sage - Patanjali.

What is Pratyahara ?

Withdrawal of senses. When we are either practicing asana, in shavasana ( corpse pose ), during yoga nidra ( yogic sleep - the big rest at the end of the class ) or meditating. We are complete one with the practice, withdrawing from the external world without completely losing contact with it. We are aware of the surrounding but not being affected by it. For example when you are practicing, a sudden loud noise will not affect you, or you won’t fall from the headstand. Someone who passes by will not affect you : you won’t open your eyes to see who is that when you are meditating. Yoga is about learning our body, when we are immersed into our practice, we can really feel which part of the body is stretching and contracting, which part of the body is straining. When one feels strained, is time to let go to avoid injury.

Letting go or detachment - Aparigraha is also part of the 8 limbs practice from the first practice Yamas ( Restraints or moral disciplines ). Letting go of things that not serving you good. Letting go of things that holding you back, letting go of people who doesn't love you anymore, Letting go of anger...