Shavasana Sh$tStorm Series: Part 5
Author: Susie Nelson | Owner of The Cycling Yogi
As we now know…my brain does this thing where it never, ever clocks out. Even in someone else’s class. Especially in someone else’s class.
When I travel, I love dropping into random studios. I get to be anonymous. Corner of the room. No one knows I teach. No one knows I own a studio. I’m just another human with a mat and a mildly questionable relationship with yoga sculpt.
But sometimes you land in that class. The one with a devoted fan base. The unspoken culture. The vibe that says:
“Push-ups on your knees? Cute. We don’t do that here.”
“Anything under 15-pound weights? Are you even trying?”
And then there I am, happily living my best 5-8 pound life, while the guy next to me is swinging 20s like he’s auditioning for a CrossFit documentary.
You know what’s wild? He wasn’t stronger. He wasn’t more controlled. He was just…louder. More chaotic. More “flaily”.
Now, those that know me can only imagine that this took every ounce of self-control I had not to gently take those weights from his hands, replace them with 10s, and whisper, “Make better choices, my friend.”
However, I did not.
Which is when my brain went here:
Modifications vs. cheating. What’s the difference?
Because people ask this all the time.
“How do I know if I’m modifying…or if I’m just cheating?”
The short answer?
I’ll tell you.
Which is wildly unhelpful if you’re not in my class.
But here’s the real answer.
A modification is a choice you make to get stronger.
“Cheating” is a choice you make to look stronger.
That’s it. That’s the whole thing.
Let’s take push-ups for example (I’m pretty sure a ‘push up tutorial’ will be written on my tombstone)
I can do push-ups on my toes. But I rarely do an entire sculpt class of them that way. Why? Because by round three, my form starts to slide, my shoulders start to dump forward, and my core checks out for a snack break.
So I drop to my knees.
Not because I can’t.
Because I want to keep doing them well.
That’s a modification.
Cheating would be staying on my toes so the person next to me thinks I’m a beast, while my hips sag, my neck cranes forward, and my low back quietly plans its revenge for tomorrow morning.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
This requires an honest conversation with yourself.
Are you choosing this weight, this version, this pace because it helps you move with control and integrity?
Or because the person next to you is doing it and you don’t want to be the only one with knees down or lighter weights?
Because last I checked, there is no prize for completing a sculpt class without:
- dropping to your knees
- grabbing a lighter set of weights
- taking a pause
- using a block
- or choosing the “less impressive” option
But there is a consequence for pushing through with ego instead of awareness.
And that prize is called injury.
And nobody wants that trophy.
Modifications are not a sign you’re behind.
They are a sign you’re paying attention.
They are how you build strength that actually lasts.
They are how you stay in alignment.
They are how you come back tomorrow.
So if you ever find yourself wondering whether you’re modifying or cheating, ask yourself one simple question:
Is this choice helping me get stronger…or helping me look stronger?
Your body always knows the answer.
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