Bronwyn Young, Level 2, June, 2008, vol. 1, no. 16

I have been a Power Yoga teacher for a year and a half now. Teaching Yoga helps keep me fit and limber, but there isn’t a lot of cardio. Hence my decision to start boxing. Well, sort of. I could tell you that I started boxing for physical conditioning and endurance to improve my strength for Yoga. I could tell you that, but really, the deciding factor was the pink gloves.

There was a lot of trepidation before starting my first boxing class, much the same feelings I had before I taught my first Yoga class. Boxing was a foreign idea to me and it certainly brought me out of my Yoga comfort zone. Still, armed with my “pinkies” I stepped in, stepped out, whipped myself with a skipping rope and laughed when the funny little hanging bag kept spinning wildly when I tried to hit it. Sixteen weeks on and I can now step in, step out while punching, perform a few jump rope tricks and get the speed bag to move in the direction I intend. I’ve graduated to Level 2! Not too bad, I think, for this Yoga chick. Not too bad for a non-Yoga related activity…

In boxing, just as in yoga, we perform combinations and/or postures and we breathe. And when I thought about it like that, it’s not so different. Yoga is about uniting the body, mind and spirit through asana (bendy yoga postures) and pranayama (breath work). Boxing is about creating fluid, dynamic punches by connecting physical movement, mental focus and correct breathing. BKS Iyengar wrote, “As a well cut diamond has many facets, each reflecting a different colour of light, so does the word Yoga, each facet reflecting a different shade of meaning…” Could one facet of Yoga be boxing? Then it hit me: the number seven. It is the number of levels WBK offers and it is the number of Yoga chakras. Coincidence? I think not.

The seven major chakras refer to energetic centres that begin at the base of the spine and align vertically up to the crown of the head. Each chakra has a specific location and function, an affirmation and a colour. Stimulating a chakra through posture work and breathing strengthens and balances it, allowing the energy to spin and helps to move that energy up the spine. Practicing can help to clear both physical and energetic blockages, eventually lifting us up to higher consciousness.

So what does that have to do with my boxing? First of all, let’s strip away all the hippy-dippy mumble-jumble. The spine is the main support of the body. It is (literally) our backbone. If you ever get a chance, take a look at a human skeleton. Notice at the bottom how large and thick the vertebrae are and at the top how fine and delicate the vertebrae in the neck become. The base supports us. Imagine turning the spine upside down – it wouldn’t work. A strong base means a strong foundation, especially for boxing. It all fits. Seven chakras, seven levels. Each level building on the one before. Stimulating each chakra in turn to move the energy up the spine.

Click for larger image (from "The Key Muscles of Hatha Yoga")

Level 1 is all about the first chakra. The root chakra, or Muladhara, is located at the base of the spine in the sacrum. It is our connection to the earth. Level 1 is about laying the groundwork so that we can build up. In Level 1 we establish our purpose – why do we come to class? We work on building strength and confidence. It is about basic survival – where would we be if we couldn’t step in, step out? We repeat to ourselves the affirmation “I have”. I have done 5 step in, step outs and now it’s time to jab! It’s about grounding our feet into the floor during the punch-out and establishing that connection – with the earth and with the bag. So Level 1’s stand up and ground your feet! Find your connection with the earth. Remember to wear red and repeat after me: I AM Getting My Ass To Class!

Now when your mother, like mine, reacts to the news that you’re training with WBK by saying, “What? You’re taking boxing lessons?” You can calmly reply, “No, I’m doing Yoga to stimulate my chakras.”

Bronwyn Young