Relaxing into the postures

I recently received an email from an old student of mine that made me think about the difference between yoga and Western modes of exercise. Here is an excerpt from the email:

Hey Abhay! How's it going? I have been thinking about you a lot lately. Since I'm working in SF now I joined a gym nearby and have been taking yoga there every Monday and Wednesday morning - at 6:30am no doubt! It's a moderate hatha-based power yoga class and is quite challenging, but I'm doing well with it and feel fantastic. I also work out there twice a week and am really happy with the improvements I'm seeing.

You're on my mind at every class because of the core things you taught me about yoga - breath and alignment. This class doesn't go into as much detail on those topics as yours did, and if I had not studied with you I would not be doing nearly as well...I'm afraid I'd be fighting the asanas instead of relaxing into them solidly.......

I was happy to know that this student really understood what yoga was all about. Because it is different from what we in the West call exercise. For yoga to have its almost magical effects you have to let go, relax into the postures, and flow with the rhythm of the 4 yogic cycles.

Peace and love

Abhay