Yoga - What's its inner game? A few years ago when I first became interested in coaching as a process for inner and self-transformation, I read a book by Tim Gallwey called the ‘Inner Game of Tennis’. He was a tennis coach when he became interested in the inner-game or dialogue that takes place in a player’s head that tends to have a detrimental, self-sabotaging, effect on performance.
The inner-game involves, “Self 1”: judgmental, critical, over-controlling, know-it-all, mistrusting. And “Self 2”, also plays in the inner-game. Gallwey describes Self 2 "as the human being inside embodying…all the inherent potential we were born with, including all capacities actualized and not yet actualized.”
“Self 2” is the natural self who is quiet, calm and focused. This self intelligently coordinates muscle movements, the speed of the ball and when this self is in control, play seems to happen effortlessly and ‘flow’ takes place.
This inner-game system sounded very much like the science of yoga to me. “Self 1” is the ego or individualised self, and “Self 2”, the true self that you can experience when you control or quieten the chattering mind. “Self 2” is yoga - the extraordinary experience gained when the mind is truly controlled.
This is how the inner-game plays out in a yoga classes, “Self 1” convinces students they are not flexible enough to do a posture, or they just can’t meditate, or it’s impossible to do any yoga asana practice at home, or when a new posture is introduced in class, at lightening speed the thought flashes into the mind, “Uh-oh, that’s looks difficult. I can’t do that.”
“Self 1” creates doubt and undermines self confidence. And, lo and behold, when you attempt to place your feet on the wall for half headstand, the legs just will not stay put.
So, in yoga the aim is to move into “Self 2”. To be focused, completely aware and non-judgmental.
How can you do this?
Meditation and breathing exercises help you to focus and inhabit "Self 2". This is part of the inner game of yoga; to go deep within yourself and listen to the voice of the true self; to evolve and attain increasingly higher levels consciousness.
And, just in case you’re thinking, ‘I only want to get flexible and fit’ and thinking that this stuff about consciousness is gobbledygook, highly successful people trust and connect with “Self 2”. Interestingly, Napoleon Hill, in his bestseller ‘Think and Grow Rich’; a book about the money-making secrets of some of the most successful people, highlights the importance of infinite intelligence and higher consciousness in wealth generation and the attainment of extraordinary success.
Sri Aurobindo's quote: “All life is yoga” is one of my favourite. And all life is yoga because yoga is how who you are when the mind no longer chatters.
So, be mindful of your inner-game and dialogue. What is “Self 1” is telling you when you are at work, at home and at play, and of course when you are practising yoga? Listen more to your “Self 2” and see what happens.
If your inner dialogue is critical creating self-doubt, self-hatred and undermines your confidence and performance out in the world, then a retreat is the ideal environment to make shifts towards being in self 2.
I invite you to join us on our upcoming retreat where you can unplug from self 1, recharge, revitalise and connect with your deeper yogic self.
Click here to find out about our transformational retreat to Goa, India, 1st-8th March 2018
