I often joke in yoga class that there is a reason that yoga is not in the Olympics. Why? Because it is not a competitive sport. While this often elicits a chuckle, it is a serious topic to be unpacked. When I first started practicing yoga 20+ years ago, I admittedly started with a goal of becoming more flexible. My impressions of yoga and yogis were holdovers from my childhood in the 70’s and included “hippies” with long hair, lots of beads and body hair eating a macrobiotic diet (whatever that is) and contorting themselves into pretzel shapes amidst a cloud of incense. Come to think of it, that sounds right up my alley (except for the body hair part).
(My favorite yoga book - Heart of Yoga by Desikachar)
As I began my yoga journey, I landed at a local studio where I practiced faithfully twice a week for about 6 months and really liked it. It was orderly, the same poses every time, very challenging and appealed to my type A personality. It was not, however, the meditative, relaxing yoga that I had envisioned. Who knew that all yoga was not just yoga? Turns out, I had landed in an Ashtanga yoga class! While I loved it, I learned there was much more to be explored and not all yoga was the same.
Pattabhi Jois popularized the practice of Ashtanga and opened the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in 1948 in Mysore, India. Jois learned the fundamentals of the practice from Tirumalai Krishnamacharya one of the fathers of yoga as we know it today; Krishnamacharya is the son of T K V Desikachar, author of Heart of Yoga (my favorite yoga book). The practice is rigorous, athletic and the series are practiced in the same order each time.
As I began to explore yoga and attend classes at other studios, I admit I had some yoga angst. I felt that I was not flexible enough, did not have the right “body type” or the right cute yoga outfits. Here’s the rub, I was so intimidated to walk into yoga studios that I was afraid to go. As I practiced more, beginning by going to the local YMCAs and Community Yoga, I began to feel more comfortable. Let me be clear, much of this was my own insecurity, not the reality of the yoga community. As I learned more about yoga in its entirety, the beauty of a full practice, the yoking of the mind, body and breath and yoga as a way of living, I began to feel comfortable in my yoga skin. Instead of being nervous about practicing, I began to lean into my practice to support me in my daily life; instead of being insecure about my practice, my practice began to help me navigate my challenges! Later I vowed to be vigilant in my efforts to make Yoga at Rockbriar Farm always generate a welcoming and nurturing vibe and to put new students at ease. I know how it feels!
So, back to the Olympics. The reason that there is no yoga in the Olympics is that yoga is not a competitive sport. It is a personal, individual practice; when we attend a group class the instructor guides us and we are free to modify or skip poses as we feel comfortable. With props and modifications, all yoga classes should be accessible. Every pose looks different on every body, and that is how it should be. I believe in not correcting positions with a goal to look like the cover of a yoga magazine, i believe in correcting positioning if it looks injurious or I can help a practitioner find a more comfortable accessible approach. Once we get over the fear of “doing it right”, we can embrace the practice with joy rather than apprehension.
New Yogis usually start with a focus on the physical practice, the asanas (poses). Once comfortable with physical practice we begin to explore and reap the rewards of the full discipline, the yoking of the mind, body and breath. This practice can help us become more aware and knowledgeable humans who understand ourselves. While yoga is a physical discipline, it can promote mental wellbeing and can also be a spiritual (not religious) discipline. Yoga is a practice, always a practice, often repeated, never a perfect.
I am always practicing, especially the mental and spiritual aspects of yoga. I have relied on yogic methods of breathing and meditation to help me settle the chaos that sometimes overwhelms me in my life. I try to breathe deeply, visualize calm and peace, and often this
works when I am confronted by a difficult situation. I admit here (as I have before) that sometimes I deteriorate into non yogic snark and raised voice and have to climb, embarrassed (mostly to myself), back on the yoga wagon. Sigh. This is why we call it a practice.
So, let’s remind ourselves why we practice, be comfortable in our worn or eclectic yoga outfits, embrace our yoga community, remember our sense of humor, and find joy in our yoga practice. There won’t be any medals after class, but there is usually mint water or tea!
Our Practice - Thunderbolt Pose (Utkatasana) - AKA "Not Like Any Chair We Have Ever Sat In Pose"
I love this pose because it is equally challenging to all yogis, it is a strong fierce pose (its other name). The pose builds strength in the thighs and feet, increases ankle mobility and tones our core. Unlike poses that are easier for people with extreme flexibility or hypermobility, this pose challenges everyone and I like it because of its leveling power. All yogis groan in this powerful pose!
Start in tadasana (mountain pose)-check in that you have weight equally distributed through all four corners of your feet weight evenly distributed between both legs.
Exhale as you bend your knees, press your buttocks back imagining you are seated on a chair. Check in that knees are in line with each other.
Raise your arms overhead, with your palms facing each other. If that does not feel good in your shoulders, try widening them or use cactus arms. Most important is to take good breaths, lengthen the spine, relax. While this can be very intense, the focused breathing really helps.
As you sink deeper be sure that you can see your toes, if you cannot, shift weight back a bit into your heels and maybe come back up a bit.
My favorite way to come out of the pose is to forward fold.
Meditation - Accepting Our Practice, And Ourselves
As we become more and more comfortable in our own practice, and in tandem, ourselves we will develop confidence and self love. In turn, our confident selves help us to become the selves that are fully equipped to be the best citizens of this beautiful earth and our community.
I love the Song, I Like The Things About Me by Mavis Staples. The simple song is about self acceptance, integral as we grow in both our practice and in life. Link below to a lovely video of her recording the song. Bonus fact, the song is part of the soundtrack of the series Bear (which I really like but did not remember!).
I Like The Things About Me - Mavis Staples
I looked in the mirror, and what did I see?
An brand new image of the same old me
Oh but now I wonder why should I be surprised
I like the things about me that I once despised
There was a time I wished my hair was fine
And I can remember when I wished my lips were thin,
Oh but now I wonder why should I be surprised
I like the things about me that I once despised
I like the things about me that I once despised
Makes no difference my young, how you may feel
I done reached the ṗoint where I wanna be real
I'm tired of living, living in disguise
I like the things about me that I once despised
I like the things about me that I once despised
I like the things about me that I once despised
Link to June 5, 2012 recording:
Nurturing with Food - Nim Chow (with Nasturtiums?)
This summer we have hosted several gatherings and parties and a go to summery favorite is always nim chow. Asian spring rolls wrapped in rice paper and served cold. When the nastusiums are growing we add them for both beauty and flavor. I hosted a meet the author party here at Rockbriar Farm earlier this week (more on that soon) and we served them. The bet summer treat!
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne
Love this Julia! You are such an inspiration (and a great host!)