Final Reflections

This semester, I was able to take on the task of not only attending a yoga class, but an adventure through my own personal practice. It has been an interesting adventure, but I feel I have learned many valuable lessons along the way. Throughout this semester I learned the history of yoga perspectives in both eastern and western cultures, practiced different yoga sequences from different yoga instructors, and most importantly, I learned a little about myself along the way.

Yoga is such a broad term to use, and it is because yoga is defined in so many ways by all different cultures. Yoga is a way of life, it can be a religion, it can even be a person’s literal salvation. Here in the West, we generalize yoga as a way of staying healthy and fit. It is an excellent practice for those looking to be more fluid in the movements and have more flexibility. To some, it’s a social call; grab up the girlfriends and namaste in sequence. Some, like myself, or initially anyway, see yoga as a way of peace, a way to disconnect with the world, and be more in tune with your own self. Your own world within you. These reflections of what yoga is can technically be considered correct, however yoga goes much deeper than that. Yoga is an Eastern movement, and is taught completely different than how we in the west perceive it. To the yogis in the East, yoga is in fact a religion, and way that becomes who you are. Yoga is much deeper than the asanas provided in each modality. To the East, yoga is liberation, because it can bring the practitioner to that blissful state of being void, and everything. Yoga has the power to transform, and enlighten, and through eastern philosophies, that is the true beauty of yoga.

To me, the most interesting thing I take away from the semester is the different modalities available, and more importantly the asanas that are taught within the modalities. Some modalities are much harder to digest; however, each has their own way of doing things, and for rightful causes. Although I am not as disciplined in yoga as I would like to be, my favorite modality we covered was Ashtanga. I enjoy the discipline that it stands for, the transition of asanas between breath, down to the stages the practitioner must go through to do every asana in the sequence. Its challenging, and so rewarding at the same time. I remember feeling so accomplished of being able to perform some of the postures, even though I can admit that I can’t do them all. All the modalities preformed in class all had their own interesting beliefs and ways of doing things which I appreciate, however I still enjoyed Ashtanga more so than the others.  I still plan on doing Ashtanga even after the semester is over, because I felt such a deep connection with the modality as a whole.

Lastly, the most interesting thing I learned this semester is understanding myself a little more. I have always been a quick tempted person, and yoga is the best way I have found to help calm myself down in the most stressful situation. Yoga is a great way to find peace within yourself, and for me, it is the best way of doing so. I have always considered myself a more spiritual person than most, however meditation was more of an interest for me than yoga. This semester has been a refreshing eye opener for me because I have always had that “western philosophy ideology” that yoga was for health fit people, not realizing how much more spiritual it truly is. I feel like even though the class was taught from a lecture perspective, I got more out of this semester than I ever thought I would.

week 12

The question posed this week is: Is Yoga a religion?


I think this is an excellent question, but cannot be completely answered in truth. And that is because the definition of yoga itself fluctuates so much between cultures. Some believe ys, that yoga is a religion, while others feel yoga is a limb in religion, but not yoga itself being the religion.

I do think however, from a personal side of yoga, that many can consider yoga a religion based solely on the "feel Good" feelings yoga gives them in return after practice. Is that itself not a religion? I think to answer this question at its core, it will vary among the persons being asked. To me however, the short answer of it I think is no. I don't think yoga itself is a religion, but a part of a religious austerity.

week 11

This week's yoga blog reflects on the meditation class taught to us by Dr. Spinello. The first hour of class was a review of what exactly it means to meditate, and the special uses of meditation. I also learned that there are various types of meditation, such as walking meditation. Dr. Spinello also touched over the idea of the final three sutras being tied into what it means to be "zen."

Once practice had officially started, I struggled getting my mind to stay calm. He told us to use positive reinforcement in being able to catch yourself and notice your mind is traveling, rather than scolding yourself for not being able to focus. It was difficult, but after a while, I feel like my own energy calmed down, and flowed with the energy of everyone else. breathing is also very important in meditation, just as it is in yoga.

The overall feelings I felt during the meditation were a mixture of peace and a high energy of emotion that I feel has been bottled in me. Clearly it is therapeutic, but due to the feelings I felt, I believe meditation is more personalized than yoga, as in my opinion it is more intimate to the practitioner. It was a different change, however I really enjoyed this class.

week 10

     This week's journal entry is on the reflection of tantric practice within the classroom setting during yoga. As I understand it, the idea of tantric is the combination of all life energy (prana) joining and working together as a dynamic system, or even in some instances, the force of defying not only gravity of potentially cheating death as well. This practice comes from the idea that our inhale breaths give us life, while our exhale is prana leaving our body, or in other words, life itself leaving us. As a way to reflect this idea of tantric learning, Hatha style yoga seems to really shine a light on the idea of balancing all life energy by the merging of both masculine and feminine energy. And with the definition of Hatha literally translating to a force between the sun and the moon, the modality of hatha yoga encompasses the tantric way of living. Ideally, I have been seeing my personal favorite instructor, who happens to specialize in hatha yoga, so the definition on paper gives so much more clarification to what i feel during practice. And sure, prana being the life force in us is found everywhere (even in food) but the marriage of asanas and controlled breathing in Hatha yoga is a perfect example of the mechanics of tantric.

week 9

Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Definitions of Yoga -


It seems through my yoga practice, there are many definitions of yoga. The answer to this question lies in the practitioner. It's no surprise that according to eastern philosophies, yoga is much more spiritual and individualized than how we see it in the west. Here in the west, it seems yoga is much more of a way to stay fit and toned, and at best, offers a sense of relaxation once the class is done. And true, there is nothing wrong with identifying yoga as such. However, to experience the true definition of yoga, one must look at its meaning in an individualized way. It means something different to each individual person, so to put a definition on "yoga" is nearly impossible. 
To me, personally, It is a way of staying in the moment without worrying about outside attributes. I was recently told some pretty horrific news pertaining to my mom's health, and even though I didn't make it to a practice this week, I did manage to break out my own mat, because focusing on my breath is the only thing that has helped me in the past few days. I may not be a yogi in any sense of the word according to the east, but to me, the definition of yoga is peace. 

week 8

 Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Definitions of Yoga -


Throughout the semester, I have learned that there seems to be various definitions to what Yoga is. Some see it more as a physical way of staying healthy and lean, others see it for relaxation purposes. Although I always knew Yoga can make you feel amazing totally after a session, I never realized the medicinal purposes behind it as well. This week, the class learned of viniyoga; a more physically therapeutic way of achieving relaxation. To me, it seems this practice is incredibly Westernized, to calling it "yoga" makes me slightly uncomfortable, however, I can see why it's defined this way. The practitioner of the video demonstrated some postures which all had sanskrit names (a very eastern feel, by the way) all whilst naming the specifics of each muscle with its origins and insertion points. As stated in the class, it had a very blended feel of eastern and western style yoga. Because of this, the definition of yoga cannot truly be defined. It varies between practitioner, between cultures, and more importantly, a reflection of the practitioner depending on their own individual practice. 
Lately, I have been wondering what type of modality in yoga is right for me. So far, I feel we have covered many interesting modalities, and can see there's a distinction between each of them. Including my practices outside of class time, I try to look into other types of yoga, however, I tend to gravitate more towards Hatha. I'm not sure if this exactly means it's right for me, or if it's within my own comfort zone. Either way, I would like to look into other modalities available. 

week 7

Yoga has made a transition from "traditional culture" to "counter culture" to "pop culture" here in the West. What have you observed about yoga that firmly establishes it as "pop culture"? What has been the effect on yoga in the West?

I think what gives yoga such a pop culture feel is heavily influenced by those who practice it. For example, in the film Ashtanga NY, famous actors including William Defoe and Gwyneth Paltrow have jumped on board the yoga experience, practicing Ashtanga every day. Bikram, another popular modality in yoga has practitioners from every day people, up to Jennifer Aniston and Gisele Bundchen. I feel because we have some of the top people in Hollywood endorsing the use of practicing yoga every day has given it a drenched pop culture feel, when in reality yoga is a very intimate and individualized practice. It also seems that some of the most popular yogi’s that reside in the United states live in the most celebrity filled states. The founder of Bikram, for example resides in Hollywood; in Ashtanga, the founder, although lives in India, visited New York to teach his classes.

Yoga no doubt has a very glamorized component to it, according to the West, and I feel because of this, yoga has transitioned into a more “pop culture” feel compared to Eastern yoga. In many way, I feel these endorsements coming from some of the best in Hollywood, is why yoga in the United States is so popular.

This week I did practice with Ann Gray, and our Professor taught Shivananda. Some of these poses with Shivananda frighten me, I’m not going to lie. The idea of doing a handstand I don’t think will ever be incorporated into my individual practice. I did enjoy the class overall; however, I don’t think the flow of Shivananda is quite for me. 

week 6

How is yoga seen as a healing practice at your practice space? How is this communicated to you? Is this part of the class practice? How do you feel after doing yoga?

Yoga can very much be seen as a healing practice! More interestingly, it heals on all dimensions, physically and spiritually. As learned in class, the practice of ayurveda, or the science of life, proves yoga can physically heal the practitioner's body from the inside out. Yoga has already shown the athletic benefits behind doing poses, however the practice of ayurveda goes deeper than that. 

Spiritually, the healing process due to yoga for some can be immense. Some find their only peace for the day, or how often they practice. Some my only feel in control in their lives when on their mat. Yoga is about strength, not only physically. 

I think its best communicated to me during practice by the instructors due to their ways of emphasizing the use of it being your own individual practice. And that speaks in volumes, including the healing process of yoga. I think because of this, it is a part of the class practice, if you allow it to during your practice. Some see yoga as just a way to keep fit, others use yoga as the best and most natural way to heal yourself. Jokingly, I have told friends the best part about yoga is the sense of getting done church; the sense of peace and calmness and clarity before the real world hits again. I thnk this is part of the healing process, however. Next is to figure out how to make that awesome yoga high last longer. 

week 5

Looking at Smith and building on Nevrin, does your practice space promote a sense of community? DEFINE this community and discuss its PURPOSE for both the studio and you. How much do you feel part of this community?

Yoga classes, regardless of the modality I’ve come to learn are sacred. I’ve also learned that the time spent in that yoga studio, who become one with whoever is with you. Looking at the article by Smith and building on the article by Nevrin, I do feel that practice space does in fact promote a sense of community. And I feel this way, because as a class, we all are trying to achieve the same thing, and that’s peace. As far as taking on a community role perspective, I can understand that as well, since we all have different learning speeds and styles. I think the strength of our community is what pushes us to want to continue in our practice to be the best you can be.

This week, practice in class included Ashtanga yoga with Loren Russo. And although, this to me was not my type of modality I would be excited to try again any time soon, I did have that sense of reassurance that we were all meant to experience it. There were plenty of poses I couldn’t do, nor did I want to attempt, in fear of hurting myself, but my community around me made me want to keep going.

The togetherness of the practice I feel makes me very much part of the community in yoga. As stated, we are all after the same thing, so I feel support from those around you only solidify your practice to finding selfless love through selfless actions.

And might I add while I’m here, I’m thoroughly impressed by the postures Loren Russo preformed! I remember gasping a few times in class wondering if she just snapped her spine. And although it wasn’t my “cup of tea” I really enjoyed this class for the sheer aesthetics of seeing what a human body can do. Crazy! 

week 4

Based on the article by Nevrin, How might your practice be analyzed as a "ritual"? How does this ritual function to change the nature, impact or intensity of your practice experience? 

     This week, I went back to Ann Gray for more Hatha yoga. Alongside my Wednesday practice, was also Bikram style yoga in class with Kris Waldron. Both of these yoga styles have different asanas of their own, however, from both classes, my time on my mat has become sacred, regardless the pose or flow. As mentioned before, Ann's classroom setting was comfortable and inviting, while class with Kris took place in a college lecture room, with a border of desks surrounding us. What I've learned, however, is that it's not so much the aesthetics to the room you're in, but the ritualistic style in which the practice is carried out. 

     Ritual, according to class, is defined as repetitive, stylized, behavior or enactment for a purpose.The best way to exemplify this definition is to reflect on class with Kris. The importance of Bikram style yoga is the order of the asanas. There is a total of 26 standing and sitting postures, including breath poses that make up a class. Each Bikram style class does exactly the same 26 moves, in a sequential order. This is done repetitively, sequentially, and with purpose.I believe when done with purpose, realizing yoga itself is a ritual, changes the nature of one's own yoga practice. I feel in some way, I knew this all along, but wasn't quite understood, or revealed to me until yoga.

     As stated by Nevrin, "My point is that both reflective and prereflective responses are crucially important for how a practitioner will understand the nature and effects of yoga."

The importance of yoga, according to the article, is not the asanas across the styles of yoga, but rather what the practitioner feels. What is done with positive intentions, done with purpose with precision of order is what makes any yoga practice ritualized. This information could be groundbreaking and inspirational, for others, it might not be a big deal. Your ritual, is your own, and your practice is set at the pace of your experience. 

     

week 3

For this week's yoga session, I did a Hatha style flow with a woman named Ann Gray. I met her through my Aunt, who is a good friend of hers. She has a studio in her basement, which was clean and spacious, and had a very calm like feel to it. What was most relaxing to me was the class size; there was a total of 6 of us there. 

Before we got started, I was able to speak one on one with the instructor. We talked about what kind of yoga styles she offered, and her answers were nothing less of zen. She told me each style has its own flow, but they are all one. She told me to slap a label on it, the style she offered was Hatha. The most important thing to remember in yoga is to go at your pace, as long as you felt your own strength. 

I think depending on the instructor in which you do your practice with reflects on if yoga is framed as more than just an exercise. I've noticed the difference thus far in instructors and their personalities, and I think that's what reflects the classes mind frame of what yoga is. I know that it is more than just exercise. It has given me more than just better flexibility, but a better sense for calmness. I've even noticed I have a little more patience with things that I never used to ever have patience for. It's a pessimistic trait of mine, but in yoga, there are no judgements. And that, to me is empowering.

Yoga has been suggested in many ways with many instructors that it can empower the practitioner. Even this week with Ann, she told me the importance of yoga is to go at your pace, as long as you felt your own strength. And I did. I remember feeling a sense of empowerment being able to hold certain asanas in class. It's that sense of peace, and oneness of finding your strength is why I would recommend yoga over other activities, like running or zumba. Sure, everyone has their pace to their practice, so maybe more fast paced activities like running or zumba might be more appealing, but I don't think you can get the same feeling of peace and centeredness as you do when stretching out on a yoga mat. 

Week 2

What makes your practice space a "sacred space"? Consider the sounds, decorations, rules, behaviors and other aspects of the practice space that create an opportunity for ritual experience.


     For this week's practice, I tried Hatha style yoga. I found out from my Aunt who does yoga, that in my hometown the local library offers yoga classes, so I decided to check out Cece Brandt's class. The classroom was in a large open room in the basement of the library, decorated with white christmas lights, a singing bowl, and carpeting. When I first talked to the instructor before the start of the class, I explained how I was a student looking to better understand yoga as a whole. She was not only very helpful, but also excited to hear about the college course. She explained to me what I had already learned from this semester: Hatha yoga includes more forced poses, and that she would offer modified versions of poses, or asanas, if needed. She handed me a strap and a block, and I rolled out my mat, bracing for what was to come.

     Ironically enough, I noticed a client of mine (I'm a massage therapist) present in this class; the same client I have been suggesting yoga to for her tight back since I've known her. She had mentioned recently how she found a great yoga class she's been taking, and here I was not knowing where, and ending up in the same class with her! All together, there was maybe 20 of us twisting our spines in synchrony. Needless to say, overall I enjoyed Hatha. Some poses were difficult, but that was the power behind it. I felt awesome being able to hold such crazy asanas.
     
     I was curious how my sacred space would feel, being in a more crowded room. Honestly, the smell of feet was overwhelming. I wasn't sure if I was going to able to focus on anything passed that. As mentioned before, the christmas lights was a nice touch. As a way to cleanse the room, she used a singing bowl, which seemed to help; visualization tactic or not. What also was welcoming about this class was the instructor's more lax way of teaching. She walked around the room, guiding students as needed, but overall, I felt like we had our own say in what pose felt right. It truly felt like our own personal space, even though the class was larger than last week's. 

     I can't say for sure which class I like more thus far. I would like to revisit both classes just to see if I have made improvement. In the meantime, I'm going to look into other types, or modalities, of yoga available for me to try out next!

Starting my practice

As a student new to observing yoga, even if you are experienced at practice, begin your journals by observing the physical environment, the community of people who attend classes and frequent your practice space, and your impressions feelings and observations about what you are doing while "doing yoga". 

For my very first session for this blog, I ventured to Anytime Fitness in my home town and had a Yin class with the instructor, Gail Cassidy. The class was maybe 12 to 15 of us, all of us showing different body types, which reassured me. I haven't done yoga since highschool, so I'm not sure how I'm  going to react. However, I'm assuming I stuck out like a sore thumb, since a few classmates was asking prior to the session if I were new. I felt intimidated, but knew I wasn't there for criticism, but for enlightenment (or at least in hopes of.)

I learned that Yin Yoga means elongated, held out asanas, or poses. The instructor kept an IPad handy for keeping time, which seemed to be increments of 2 minute long asanas. We started doing gentle stretches for our lower backs, which instantly made me nervous. I have back problems, so my flexibility was something to laugh at. 

I drug my boyfriend and my mom along for moral support. My boyfriend has a worse back than myself, and he was trying. My mom can't stay on her knees or fluid builds around them, but yet here she was in her own flow, and I think it was the inspiration of seeing them both truly trying, made me realize no matter how silly I looked, this was for me.

So there I was, stretching out into my banana asana (as the instructor called it) when I realized how much I was enjoying myself. I stopped worrying, started focusing, and could actually see a physical improvement in my flexibility in just one class. We ended the class with citronella aromatherapy and a bow followed with a "Namaste."

I talked with the instructor after class to let her know my story, and why I was in her class. That's when she explained what Yin means, and even suggested other branches for me to try in my practice. I plan on doing just that, trying different instructors, and modalities, but overall Yin Yoga with Gail Cassidy was excellent.