photo credit: reynolds.james.e
“That’s not very yoga of you?” Ever heard yourself think this thought to yourself? Newsflash: yes, actually it is. Un-scrunch your pretty face and listen. Yoga is a practice to help us reach self-awareness, yes? I see you nodding. So go back to that statement again. Did you ever think that the simple fact you are able to pause and ponder such a thought reveals that you are practicing self-awareness?! Cue the lightbulb yogis.
Yoga is bad-ass. It heals in so many ways, take your pick, emotional, physical, spiritual, flexible…Yoga is cool; trendy and effective in socializing in a healthy, fun, legal activity. It burns calories, and can radically alter the health of individual conditions.
I am not the same person by any means from when I started practicing, but what have I become? A yoga-freak? (Don’t act like you don’t know what I mean here) The perfect yogini? (Pssh) It is easy to see how my environment has changed. My circle of friends, I’ve let go of the energy-suckers, my hobbies, I’m diligently pursing things that move me passionately, my clothes, I learned from day one why wearing spandex is so vital, don’t ask!
photo credit: lululemon athletica
But how has yoga really changed me? Well, I don’t drink Kombucha, I am undecided on my thoughts about energetic healing, and I still cuss coming out of my inversions. Truly, what has changed the most in me is appreciation awareness and acceptance. I am thankful to simply be able to cuss coming out of my inversions. I am aware of ways I can change my diet, take care of my body, etc and I accept these things and much more without resistance. Go with the flow is my new mantra thanks to heavy doses of vinyasa, channeling Shiva Rea and probably something in that coconut water we all drink.
As I study the beliefs of yoga, I’ve been exposed to Chakras, Sutras, Ayurvedic Medicine, the Gita, Kirtan, meditation: it can be overwhelming! What’s the right path? Did I have it wrong all these years? Does it even matter?
I may not have the answers yet, but here’s what does matter: the practice of yoga is changing my thoughts and ultimately my outlook. I am evolving an attitude of gratitude through my own suffering. Shoot, if that doesn’t make me yoga, I don’t know what does.
A yogi can be defined in many ways, as any stereotype in life. We may all rock the same leggings in yoga class, but everyone interprets yoga in the way that resonates with them. So? I don’t really care that I haven’t woken up one day and just become Super-Yogini eating raw organic vegetables, singing Kirtan on the way to work at the Enlightenment Company. It’s a f^$!#’n process and I am enjoying every second of speculation, introspection and transformation.
photo credit: DenisDenis
What has the practice of yoga changed in you? What does it mean when we say “that’s not very yoga of you?”
Enjoyed this. Thanks. Posted to StumbleUpon: http://bit.ly/qvhqkZ I hope that will help attract new readers.
Bob
Yep yoga is taht and more. love the outpouring of the inner shifts. stay blessed and enjoy the journey. om
Thank you Mr, Weisenberg!
Good post. I shared it on my Yoga for men Macebook page. And PS, I still cuss a lot too, but at least I'm aware of it now
haha. thanks for the repost!
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Wonderful post. Truly focused on the core of what is important. Growing self-awareness from any practice makes that practice one to be respected and continued! This is reminding me of me feelings coming out of my green smoothie fast and my prison yoga practice. The feeling of being rolling along on a sort of superhighway and all of a sudden noticing that everything I see looks different. Like having magically been transported from say, North Carolina, USA to Manitoba, CA. All is different when you look out the windows. But in this case, what is different as we look out is different due to some internal shift that snuck up on us as we did our practices. No smack on the head. No gong. Just a look back to what was and a psychic realization of the transformed landscape!
Shiva
Thanks for the kind response Shiva.
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What has the practice of yoga changed in you? What does it mean when we say “that’s not very yoga of you?”
well, re-inforced (and reminded) really –
like when peopel aren't tolerant of belief-variations that could easily be included in a wider perception of "one"
I couldn't agree more. It pains me, though, when people who devote their lives to living as yogis (studio owners, teachers, whatever…) are the worst offenders. Have you seen this? I've seen some self-proclaimed yogis chew people out in the most unkind, unforgiving, judgmental ways and I think, isn't that contrary to all they've been preaching about? What to do?