I had great fun this afternoon at my photo shoot for this year's publicity run. Working on my wide-leg forward bend was a real eye-opener. I got myself right down into the pose, and with just about no warmup. I don't recommend this. I'm a yoga teacher and have my tough days too. Be sure to warm yourself up before practicing any pose. Well, not my favorite, tadasanda (Mountain Pose). You can practice that one waiting in line anywhere.
Taking photos might seem like a real ego kind of afternoon. It was for me, but it's not what you'd think. You reveal yourself while you're in front of any camera, sharing who you are with everybody in the world who's watching that TV show, that video, or even reading a health and fitness website. My image is out there, but my mission has always been to Change the Image of Yoga. (In fact, that's the title of my second DVD).
No matter your size or situation, you can change the image of yoga each time you practice. It doesn't matter if you're practicing with me in my Austin classes, with one of my teachers around America, or just in the comfort of your home watching a DVD. What's most important is that the image of yourself keeps changing. You want to see that picture of yourself in a loving pose, listening to that voice that talks to you 24x7, hearing that voice talking to you as if you are your own best friend.
Yoga can help you see that image. Wide-leg forward bend is an advanced pose. Finding the awareness, acceptance, affection for yourself is a foundational pose. People will see you in a flash of new light, like the flash of the camera or the hot lights of the TV studio. Turn it on for yourself.