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.