The "Y" Word

                                                                         Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

 

      I read a great yoga-related quoted today which gave me a chuckle:

"Blessed are the flexible, for they will not be bent out of shape."

     Clearly this quote has a double meaning and I feel that yoga too can have a double meaning in your life. For some yoga is a spiritual practice, for others it is purely a physical practice for improving strength and flexibility, then there are those of us whose approach toward yoga falls somewhere in between. No matter what angle (pardon the pun) you look at yoga from, I believe that it is important to never take things too seriously because that's where the pressure sets in. Putting pressure on oneself to experience yoga in a certain way or to have yoga affect your spiritual, physical, or mental well-being in a specific way seems rather counter-intuitive.

     Yoga is not about pressure. Yoga can help you to become more flexible in many aspects of your being but it shouldn't feel like something you have to "get right," because then it becomes very intimidating. It isn't about being perfect at every pose or even about seeking perfection, it is simply the practice of yoga (not the perfection) which can lead to strength, flexibility and yes, even a sense of calm and peace if that's where you want to go with it. Yoga not only makes you more flexible, yoga itself is flexible, it is pliable, you can experience it however you choose.

     For some, it is the reputation that comes with the word YOGA that makes the practice seem daunting. If it's the big ol' "Y"-word that has you feeling skittish then just call it stretch. You're not going to a YOGA class you are going to a Stretch class. Stretch...ahhhh...doesn't that sound nice? Soothing, relaxing, the sweet relief of a good stretch after a long stressful day. There, that's better.

     Come along and stretch with me, Tuesdays at 7:30pm in Plainville or Thursdays at 7:45pm in Walpole. Check my Yoga and Pilates page by clicking on the navigation bar at the top for more info on locations etc. Remember, the first class is always free!!

Namaste, 

Tamar