Receiving Yoga in a Different Way

When I was new to yoga I did all of the things that typical newbies do -- I read books, I listened to CDs, I watched DVDs. Once I felt somewhat familiar with the practice of yoga, I attended my first class. Back then, my first choice for home practice was DVDs because I could listen to the instruction and see a pose being demonstrated if I got confused.

As time went on I became disenchanted with DVDs and classes. Why, you ask? Because of all of the talking. It always amazes me how some yoga teachers recite a monologue (complete with inspirational quotes, Hindu tales, and a little dash of yoga history and philosophy thrown in) during class. In the beginning I didn't really notice. Instead I thought my way through my practice. I was focused on what the teacher was saying and trying to get the poses right. I always seemed to be thinking about how my body parts were arranged.

Even though this is typical in classes and on DVDs (after all, they are instructional DVDs), it felt wrong to me. After all, is yoga really about listening, trying to get poses "right," and thinking? I didn't -- and don't -- think so. I think it's about feeling and breathing and tuning into the moment and how you are in that moment. How the heck are you supposed to do that when the teacher is talking non-stop or directing your attention to things or pulling your internal focus outside? It was my disillusionment with this type of yoga practice that led me to search for something different.

Now I practice in a different way -- I practice in silence, I focus on my breath so that it supports my movements, and I count the number of repetitions I do of each posture. This isn't to say that I don't still go to classes, attend workshops, or practice with DVDs every now and again. Yet when I do any of these, I find myself thinking one predominant thought -- "shut up, shut up, shut up." If I wanted to go to a lecture, I would have. I go to the mat to practice. When I practice I'm tuned into my body and my breath, not to something or someone outside of myself or lost in thought (of course my mind does wander every now and again as minds often do).

[Note to all of the yoga teachers out there -- I'm not criticizing you for teaching in an instructional style. I realize that teachers want to teach. That's their job. Still, I wonder whether constant chatter serves the student. What is the goal of the teacher -- to instruct, yes, but to pull a student out of his/her own experience? I think not. Of course every teacher has a different style. I tend to prefer a quieter, more internal style. This is my opinion. That's why this is my blog and not Yoga Law.]

It took time to make this transition. At first, when I wasn't all that familiar with the poses, it was difficult to practice on my own. I made a concerted effort to learn the postures and feel them in my own body. From there I worked on stringing practices together.

I recently found an innovative practice system that can support folks who want to have a practice that goes a little deeper. My Yoga 2 Go includes a deck of over 70 posture cards, a very cool multi-pocket display tote/carrying case, and 7 different suggested sequences ranging from beginner to advanced. The system was created by a yoga student -- Beth Siegel -- who yearned for a way to practice at home without being pulled out of the moment by distracting DVDs.

What I love about this system is that the cards are thorough without being too wordy. The front of the cards display a picture of the pose along with the Sanskrit and English name of the pose. The back of the card keeps things short but sweet -- time (how long to hold the pose), directions (enough to ensure safety but not so much as to confuse), variations, and benefits. The funky plastic card holder has 30 clear pockets that can display up to 60 posture cards at once. It can hand on a wall or door knob. No more trying to turn the pages of a book (ever notice how yoga books have a habit of closing up on you in the middle of your practice?) or having cards from a yoga deck scattered on the floor in front of you (one fast "run by" by Fido or Patches and your practice sequence is no longer a sequence).

If you're a yogi on the move or you want to establish a regular home practice, I highly recommend My Yoga 2 Go. It retails for just under $30, so you won't break the bank. And best of all -- you dictate the pace, length and tone of your practice. That means you can focus on what's really important -- feeling rather than simply following directions, which is done with your thinking mind.

One of the other cool offerings by My Yoga 2 Go is a yoga practice journal. This journal encourages you to be your own teacher by helping you track your progress in your practice. You can log information such as time held in the pose, number of breaths per pose, effortless poses and poses to strengthen in your next practice.

Am I saying abandon yoga classes and boycott yoga DVDs and CDs? No. I'm simply suggesting practicing in a different way. A way that's more conscious. A way that requires you to be your own teacher. To do that, you have to tap into your intuition and build your yoga practice to meet your needs. Teachers are invaluable, yes. But so are you and your wisdom. Tapping into yourself and that wisdom that resides within can help you receive yoga in a whole new way.

Try it, you just may discover something wonderful.

Namaste!

Comments

[Diane Cesa]

Elliot -- what a thoughtful comment. I'm so glad that this post got you thinking. I love what you said about the teacher's words providing you with a perspective check. How wonderful! I know what it's like to be stuck in your head. For me a teacher's chatter takes me a bit out of my head but not as much as practicing to my own breath. It's different for everyone. That's why I'm so glad that you commented -- I love hearing the perspective of others. You just provided me with a perspective check. Thank you!

[Elliot]

The perspective you shared about practicing in silence really got me thinking about why it is that I continue to love practing with a teacher's guidance even though I'm a somewhat experienced yogi. I guess I hadn't fully thought through all of the things that I come to yoga for... you describe coming to the mat to practice and experiencing the chatter as clutter. After thinking about it I've realized the talk is essential for me because I come to the mat to practice, yes, but even more importantly because I need a perspective check. I find that I can get very stuck inside my own head and my own (sometimes obsessive) thought patterns. The soothing talk of a teacher helps me unplug from my own mental chatter, absorb a new perspective, and decompress. For this reason I like to practice with varied teachers, and Anusara teachers in particular. I find that I really enjoy the changing offerings of yogatoday.com and Hillary's yoga practice podcast.

[Diane Cesa]

Chai -- what an excellent comment! Thank you for providing another point of view. I've never quite looked at the chatter as a way of connecting. Thank you for offering a different perspective!

[Diane Cesa]

Oh Marion thank you for your lovely comment. I'm so glad that my words have helped you in some way. That's the whole reason I blog so it's gratifying to know that someone is benfitting. You're right -- yoga isn't about achieving. It's about being you and celebrating yourself. Enjoy!

[Marion]

Hello,

I have been reading this blog for a few months now, so I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your writing. I am very much a beginner and I can be a bit hard on myself for not being "good" enough yet - I've got a classic ego here! But your blog reminds me daily that yoga isn't about achieving, it isn't about looking pretty, it isn't even about flexibility. With your words in my head, I am approaching yoga in a new, and far more healthy, way. This is my favourite blog!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[chai]

I enjoyed reading this post, namely because it's such a different experience from my own. I adore the chatter that happens in class. People often express different points of view of the dharma, and that I find is enlightening. I love the sound of people connecting, not just because they're simultaneously doing a pose, but because they're sharing ideas.

Not that I want the entire class to be "discussions", then I would go to a lecture. But to thread the dharma through the class is one of the wonderful reminders (for me) why this is yoga, and not power aerobics.

[john calabria]

Namaste!

I enjoyed your post. As a talkative teacher, I prefer a silent home practice.

I've heard from students who like the monologue, the encouragement, the quotes.
I've heard from students who appreciate quiet. I try for a mix, and once in a while, turn the ipod off and teach in silence. you've inspired me to trim some words.

P.S.

I just posted the trailer for the new Yoga Documentary Enlighten Up! at www.yogawithjohn.com/blog It's premiering at theaters across the country, showing in Boston and Cambridge in September. Might be a nice add to your blog

Take care,

john