Yoga-pushing the body limits

"Our attention is continually focused upon the boundaries or limits of the body; known from an exterior, the limits of the body as an object; known from an interior, the limits of its physical extension into space." Taken from Susan Stewart's "The Imaginary Body" on page 1.


Yoga is about coming to a resting place. The resting place is both within you but also in regards to what your body is doing. you work slowly over time to get your body to twist and turn into a position that is not obtainable by most. A person must show discipline and work to stretch their muscles and joints to be able to move in such a way. The exterior image is shocking to those that are incapable of reaching those positions and seem like they disregard the limits of any normal body. In addition to the pressure of the exterior the interior is also developed. While pushing muscles and joints to unbelievable positions, the body is suppose to reach a resting point. A point at which the body is beyond itself and in a space where the world is at ease and peace. Exactly what Stewart is discussing in the quote. Yoga is an activity that allows the body to reach both these positions all in one go.