Zen Squirrel Blog
Is There Room for Comparison in Yoga?
Regardless of if you're into Yin, Bikram, Vinyasa, Hatha or DDP Yoga, most instructors will tell you to make the practice your own by listening to your own body. Most instructors will tell you to not compare yourself to the others in the room. Each person's practice is individual, and we all have different needs, so if you need to take rest, do it.
I am very lucky to teach and practice at 2 great yoga studios. Both studios welcome a variety of styles, students, and abilities. I love these people!
I got on Facebook this afternoon and read the following, "easy fix...whew!!! Just made us appreciate the heat that much more! Continues to amaze me why non-bikram people want to debate the heat....living proof the heat is an added bonus!!! Thanks for hanging in there this morning with me - it's fixed and ready to go!!!! See you in the HOT room!!!!"
AHHH!!!!! Why do some yoga instructors and studio owners feel the need to try to put others down? Why the need to mention "non-bikram people" at all? Why not just mention how much the heat has benefited you personally? If you want your students to turn inward and make their practice their own, why not demonstrate that mindset when advertising your classes?
The same goes for all of the rest of us who may be tempted to put down any other styles of yoga? WE ARE ALL HERE FOR THE SAME REASON! Let's share the yoga, share the love, and help everyone feel great.
I have enjoyed Bikram, Ashtanga, Yin, Iyengar, Prana, Vinyasa, Hatha, Aerial Yoga, etc. Each class was different but helped me get back in my own body. Please, let us support each other as an entire yoga community, and share the love.
In conclusion, no room for comparison leaves more room for love and mutual respect. End Yoga Rant.
Namaste - Beth
Love Affair with Yoga
I may never know to what extent, but one way or another, I love yoga because it has saved my life
During my recent yoga mat giveaway, I asked you to share what you love about yoga, or why you wanted to start practicing. Here are a few of your responses.
"Yoga brings me into the moment. I can let go of what has passed and free myself of concern for the future and in doing so find peace and strength."
"Yoga helped me transform from a broken, bitter sufferer to a healthy happy thriver..."
"Yoga helps me be calm and in touch with my authentic self..."
"I float to my car after wall yoga. Never have I been so relaxed and at peace. Each class takes me to a different space in my practice."
After so many of you took the time to share your heartfelt feelings about the practice, I thought it was only fair to share a bit of my story with you, so here it goes.
I started practicing yoga around the year 2000. At the time, I was a bit of a gym rat, taking classes and lifting weights for 2-3 hours several days a week. When the gym offered yoga, I decided I might as well check it out.
At first, I attended out of convenience. It was something to do between work and kickboxing. My teacher was warm and encouraging, and I love her. I felt comfortably challenged, and enjoyed the feeling I got at the end of class. After class, I stayed with the yoga buzz for about 5 minutes, then we spent the next hour learning to hit each other. Oh well, not even a little enlightened, but it was a start.
When I gave up the kickboxing for marathon training with the Team in Training, yoga came with me. I increased my mileage way too quickly, never warmed up or cooled down, but practiced yoga on my off days. I'm pretty sure yoga is the only reason I came through that 26.2 miles injury free. I began to notice that I could treat my long slow runs much like the moving meditation that I practiced in yoga class. I maintained a regular yoga practice since I first stepped on the mat.
Several years later, I was sitting in a cardiologist's office. Although my heart appeared "stone cold normal", I had tested positive for the genetic condition, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. It has killed my father, grandfather, and given my baby sister a defibrillator. Since I work in the field of cardiac electrophysiology, I knew exactly what I was up against.
Despite my knowledge, as a vegan runner in her 30's, I was not ready to hear the news. I was less thrilled with the cardiologist's activity restriction "you can do whatever you want, as long as it is at a conversational pace". Since the condition regularly kills marathon runners, the running clearly had to go. After much contemplation, I realized a few things.
- My beloved yoga practice was always with the breath. It was within the restrictions.
- Yoga gave me similar feelings to a long run.
- Yoga may have been the very thing that would keep my heart normal, and reduce the risk of disease progression.
My 2 times a week practice became quite regular. My husband and family noticed the improvements that I was experiencing, and encouraged me to continue. When my husband suggested teaching, I couldn't have been happier.
During teacher training and my ongoing study of yoga, I have made several improvements.
- I learned to forgive and have repaired broken relationships.
- I learned to love myself.
- I learned to express love to others, and feel real joy.
- I connected with myself, and experience less reactivity.
- I have become more present.
- I have discovered the joys and benefits of meditation.
- I have reduced pain, increased strength and flexibility.
I may never know to what extent, but one way or another, I love yoga because it has saved my life. Maybe literally, and maybe just because of all of the benefits that I have experienced due to my practice. I love my students, my blog, my teachers, and myself. I love yoga because it is who I am. It is a part of me that can never be taken away. I hope that through this blog and my teaching, that I can give these gifts to someone else.
If you are considering starting or attempting to maintain a regular yoga practice, I encourage you to do whatever it takes to make that happen. This Valentine's Day, begin your love affair with yoga. You'll be happy that you did.
Namaste - Beth
