Pre pandemic, assists were an important part of asana class for me, a good assist, anywhere between a fingertip and a palm, deepened a position especially in this ‘active’ body, and there was the human contact, no matter how small, that was subtly arousing. Post pandemic, assists seem retired, at least in my yoga circle, but in the absence and out of self discovery, I found a much better alternative, the self assist.
I’ve made posts on how touch is enhanced in a conductive body that can access silence, in this yogi’s experience, enhanced in a noticeable subtle arousal, given silence and attention can fully open the shushumna. My current class is a cross between a flow and yin, so plenty of opportunities to fully engage in a position and self assist in whatever way the body is asking to be touched. Any inch of my legs beg for touch, perhaps they are so overlooked most times. In finding silence in a position, with gentle attention where self meets self, the body finds its desires and the shushumna opens.
Would appreciate comments on assists in your practice, the idea of self assisting.