Wabi Sabi & the Golden Seams of Practice

Embracing imperfection in Ashtanga Yoga

Wabi Sabi is a Zen aesthetic that finds beauty in the imperfect, the unfinished, and the naturally evolving. In Japan, it’s often illustrated with the image of a broken bowl repaired with golden lacquer—where the repair itself becomes part of the object’s uniqueness and value.

You can see Wabi Sabi throughout design and architecture: spaces that are slightly asymmetrical, materials that age and weather, surfaces that carry traces of use. Paradoxically, too much perfection can feel unsettling—what designers call the “uncanny valley,” where flawless symmetry makes something feel strangely artificial.

Ashtanga, outwardly, is a system of structure: alignment principles, sequencing rules, traditional guidelines. But the lived practice is full of organic imperfection—modifying postures, adding support, navigating injuries, compensating for age or energy, or simply responding to the daily fluctuations of life. These adaptations are the golden seams of our practice.

From the perspective of Wabi Sabi, these so-called “imperfections” don’t detract from your yoga—they enrich it. They reveal character, honesty, humility, and the real texture of your journey.

The Art of Adapting Postures

Adapting postures isn’t “cheating” the system; it’s how we stay aligned with the deeper intention of yoga. The humble yoga block is one of the simplest and most effective tools we have—not only for support, but also for cultivating strength, awareness, and precision.

Jump-Throughs, L-Sits & Lift

Many practitioners learn to jump through or hold L-Sit more effectively by using blocks. Elevating the hands gives more room for the hips to lift and helps you feel the engagement of Mula Bandha more clearly. Over time, this develops the deep core intelligence needed for smooth vinyasa transitions.

Elevating the Hips for Safe Twists

Raising the hips in seated postures can completely transform your twist. In Marichyasana C, for example, a slight lift helps align the pelvis, prevents collapsing into the sacrum, and reduces the risk of SI joint strain. With the hips stable, the twist can actually originate in the spine—where it belongs.

Blocks to Intensify Balance

Props aren’t just for ease—they can also add challenge. Standing a few centimeters higher changes the center of gravity and offers a new perspective. In Bhujapidasana, the blocks create wrist support and more space for the feet to hook, yet transitioning onto the head becomes a fun new test of control and focus.

Understanding Supta Kurmasana Mechanics

Elevating the feet in Supta Kurmasana is an excellent way to explore the deep hip flexion required in the pose. By reducing strain and increasing accessibility, you can feel the shape of the posture more clearly while maintaining safe alignment.

Backbends from an Elevated Foundation

Lifting the feet in backbends helps shift the work out of the lower back—where many people unintentionally compress—and into the upper spine and shoulders. This promotes a more even, heart-opening curve rather than a “hinge” in the lumbar region.

Paschimottanasana With Feedback

Using blocks in Paschimottanasana can offer gentle yet powerful sensory feedback. Pressing into them helps engage the legs, lengthen the spine, and deepen the stretch in a way that feels stable and grounded.

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What about you?

Are you frustrated by imperfection, or are you beginning to appreciate the Wabi Sabi woven through your own practice?

Feel free to share in the comments below—I’d love to hear your experience.