Week #13

     Yoga being a religion is very questionable. Personally, I do not believe that yoga is religion. I feel that religions may practice yoga. However, yoga itself is not a religion. I feel that yoga is in religions, but religion is not necessary in yoga. Many people who are not religious practice yoga. Religion is a very sensitive topic. I don't know whats worse, religion or politics! Yoga is a practice that bring people together, regardless what type of religion one practices. Yoga is used in many religions. Therefore, yoga can be useful in these religions. But these two topics do not need to interfere with each other. 

Week #12

     Yoga has a lot to do with breathing techniques in poses. There are some classes where if you do not have your breathing down you will be asked to leave. It is not because of "failure." It is to learn how to and gain rhythm. It takes practice to do so. Throughout my semester of daily yoga, I have began to learn how to keep intact my breathing with my poses. This can help make yoga a success for you. It will help with anxiety, depression, and even the physical being for fatigue.
     It was a hard concept to start with. Pranayama is a very slow moving type of yoga practice. It consists of a lot of slow motion exercises and stretching. I usually look for more of a challenging work out. Little did I know, from practicing pranayama, I began to learn how to control my energy. I did not need the high-strung work out. I needed to learn how to control my energy. It took a lot of practice, and I am still working at it. However, I feel closer to my goals each day!

Week #11

         Is yoga a practice of meditation? That is a good question. It is a question that I am often back and forth with. I think it depends on what type of yoga class you are taking. Some, I believe are definitely more active and physical. Others, I do believe are more meditation related and spiritual. When in a yoga session, you are often focusing your mind. My yoga teachers often repeat to focus your mind, concentrate on something. Also, you are constantly practicing your breathing in yoga. I think this has a lot to do with meditation. Also, at the end of each yoga session, the teacher asks to stay still and reflect. This is a great example of meditating.
       However, I also believe that yoga is a form of physical practice. A lot of the sequences are body twisting and physical. However, still at the end of each physical yoga practice, you end it with a relaxed mind and body. I believe that yoga and meditation go hand in hand. I believe that they do have a symbiotic relationship. 

Week #10

      This week I was able to fit my yoga session in early. I have a big week of tests and papers due, so I figured I would start it off relaxed and refreshed. It is interesting to go into the yoga class and see familiar faces now. Since the weather is getting colder out, I took a hot yoga class. It is nice to be able to show up to the class and not feel like such a rookie.
    Since it is getting closer to winter, I feel that many of my neighbors are "snow birds." Many fly South for the winter. Therefore, the yoga classes seem a lot smaller. I kind of like that better. It gives you a more "one-on-one" feeling, without it actually being a solo session. I am excited to get another session in as soon as my crazy school and work week is over!

Week #9

     This was a good weekly session in my yoga class. I had a long week with tests and projects. It was great to be able to unwind and enjoy myself at yoga. Since moving to a new area, I have been exploring and trying new places. Since the culture we live in today is predominantly favoring yoga, I have had so many different options! I have tried a hot yoga class that is in the neighborhood I live in. Since it started getting colder out, I really enjoyed the hot yoga. It helped warm me right up!
    I look forward to keep on trying different studios and classes. I look forward to my yoga sessions each week. It is nice to be able to try all different types of yoga classes.

Week #8

      Yoga has definitely became a sensation in pop culture. Recently, it has a played a big role in today's society. First, it began traditionally, and soon became an acceptance trend. It is recognized every where. If you are in a store you can find all different wardrobe essentials for yoga. Also, a lot of little sayings are promoted, like on cups, mugs, t-shirts, etc. This is a big aspect of reeling people in for yoga. Seeing it all around in businesses, makes people think it is a essential to do yoga even more. 
      Being fit is a huge need and want in today's society. Fitness is a way of life for many people today. I think that is great. It is nice to have people looking forward to working out and what not. Some may do it for an image, however it creates a healthy self. Yoga is a great source of this. A lot of people who are not necessarily into running or lifting weights at the gym, resort to yoga. I think it is a great alternative to doing cardio or weight lifting.
    People also began to resort to yoga instead of going to the doctors or a physician. As we learned about in class on Thursday, people who have been addicted to some substance, often look to yoga to help heal them. Also, people who are having any kind of hurting like a bad back or knees, resort to yoga to help heal them. I often notice some older ladies in my yoga class. The way that they can still hold positions is remarkable. I hope to continue my yoga sessions, so I can obtain a healthier life style. 

Week #6

       I talked about this theme in a previous post; the healing of yoga. I, personally,  feel some type of way about the healing of yoga because of the medical issues that I have. I have been practicing every morning the sequences that Annie has taught us. I have been noticing not only a difference in my digestion, but my stress levels have definitely decreased. I feel more at ease when handling situations, that I would normally overreact to. I have been practicing these rituals in my weekly yoga classes. I try to alternate between a physical and spiritual yoga session each week. 
      We have talked about things like this in class. I overhead you say that you have not been to the doctors in years! I am not sure if I believe in "yoga as medicine" as a whole. I think there is a reason that the human population has evolved to live a longer life, and that reason is doctors and the medical practice. However, I think yoga definitely helps! I feel great after yoga. Whether my mind is at ease or my muscles feel warm and stretched. I believe that yoga is really beginning to help me as a whole.  

Week #5

        Rituals hold a strong sense for yoga sessions. We discussed this in class. Rituals can start as soon as you set out on your journey to your yoga class, when you take off your shoes for yoga class, or when you get into your first position. This can change for everyone. I believe that my ritual starts as soon as I get into my first pose. Before them I am extremely anxious and my mind is running about one million different things. As soon as our instructor gets us going into our first pose, I immediately leave everything else behind.
       My yoga class has become more of a community to me; which is perfect that we mentioned it that way. I began to recognize more faces from previous sessions. Before, I would have politely smiled and continued with my session. Now, I feel a sense of comfort with my yoga community. Although we all may not know each other, we are all there for the same thing, to better ourselves. Our instructor guides us to keep a remarkable breathing rhythm. At the end of each session, I can feel us all growing together as one. It is of a great feeling to be apart of this community.  

Week #4

       This week I used Annie's class practice as my yoga session. She taught us Iyengar. This is a form of Hatha yoga. It focuses on detail, alignment, and precision. Annie even mentioned to us in the beginning of class when she was doing her introduction, that she would correct us if we were off. She spent a lot of time carefully going over each pose and exactly how to get into it. She also focused on exactly how to get out of it. We only spent about forty seconds in each pose. However, in a regular class it would be a few minutes. A regular class is also two hours or more. We were told that Iyengar recommends staying in the pose for about five to ten minutes to get the full affect.
        This was a very, very slow moving class. A lot different than our practice last week. Personally, I liked Bikram better. It was more fast paced and challenging. I really felt each pose making a physical difference. However, that is the difference! Iyengar was more of an eternal practice. Annie would recite what each pose helped us achieve for the inner body. I think I would really like to practice this daily. Annie is a student as well, so she was able to tell us, "hey, if you ever get stressed out like me from school, this is a great pose to do." I really appreciated that she also gave us a quick, little background of exactly how it helped us. She explained which muscles or organs were being reflected on in each pose.
       Many of the pose's we did aided digestion and stress. Although some people may not believe that they are related, they are! I was diagnosed with a forming ulcer in my stomach and have been in and out of doctors for years because of it. It is pretty simple what caused it- stress and anxiety. I think that performing these poses daily can really be beneficial for my health. I am excited to continue them. Annie gave us great tips on how to complete these at home, such as using the wall to complete a proper downward dog. So a big thank you to Annie, for teaching this class- she may be saving me a lot of money in the doctor offices :-)

Week #3

     This week I used Chris's Bikram Yoga as my weekly experience. I have never tried Bikram Yoga before. Although, we did not get the full physical experience (with the 105 degree room), I still really enjoyed the yoga pose series that we did complete. We would experience a pose, and then rest, and then go back at the pose full throttle. We would hold the pose for a few moments. This definitely triggered our physical being. I do not think it is as physical as other gym classes, say Zumba. However, I think it was more strenuous than simply running. I am very athletic; I work out regularly. But imagine this, I woke up sore! Chris mentioned this could happen. We worked muscles that we do not always work in a day, or even in a workout.
     Why 105 degrees? That was one of my wonders. An Indian man, (I am not sure of what his name was), won three yoga championships. When he came over to teach, what were the requirements? Well, a hot room. In India they do not have air condition, so practicing yoga in a 105 degree room was nothing short of normal. It helps loosen your muscles, creating a more successful practice. Chris even admitted to doing his stretching after he runs about 5 miles. You're body is more relaxed and elastic when it is hot. Chris also mentioned eating right is a part of this practice. A simple "eat good, feel good" explanation. 
     Chris talked about a little comparison involving lions and tigers. Why are they so powerful? Is it because they work out in the gym like a typical weight-lifter (Ha-Ha). A lot of strength comes from the lower back movements. A lot of yoga poses demonstrate this. Staying in a few of these poses, I could feel the muscles in my back tense up.
       This yoga practice helped me use muscles that I did not even know that I have. I really enjoyed Bikram Yoga and I plan to go to another class like this, especially to get the full experience. It definitely challenged me for the better. I am excited to better myself. 

Week #2

            My week/weekend was extremely hectic. I, unfortunately, did not get to a yoga class until this Monday morning! I was extremely stressed out from school during the day and working every night, I did not know when I would have time to do anything. Walking into the yoga class this morning, I was anxious and stressed. I felt like I just needed to hurry up and get it done with to continue on with my day. I almost forgot my actual purpose for what I was there for. To relax! To ease and clear my mind. Starting yoga on a Monday morning was the perfect way to start off my week.
          Walking in stressed and leaving calm and relieved is what I believe yoga is all about. I started to notice my environment and surroundings a little bit better this morning. I was more aware of the sounds, the look, just an overall of my surroundings. There was calm music playing, but besides that very silent. Everyone just carried on, taking off their shoes, spreading out their mats and starting to get ready to stretch. It gave off a a great calm, positive vibe. I focused on my breathing like I promised myself last week. I was able to keep myself in a rhythm, instead like last time where I was all over the place. It is pretty cool that I can already see progress in myself.
         Not only have I been working on yoga in my classes, but I noticed that I have been using it outside, in my every day life as well. Before I get frustrated and impatient with people and situations in my every day life, I have been taking a breath and thinking about my actions and words before I do and use them. Reflecting on it, I wonder why I would bother with any negative energy in the first place! Spreading positive vibes have made my energy radiate throughout the week. I am happy to start my Monday the right way. Without this being just a "school assignment," it made me realize how much more peaceful my day goes on, starting it off with calm and positive vibes.    

Week #1~

Yoga is not only a spiritual, but also physical practice. Each yoga class can be entirely different. This alone is a great aspect. There are yoga classes for beginners; who are just starting out to learn the practice, all the way up to advanced; for who practice it daily. I don’t know about you, but I get anxious and nervous to try new things. Gratefully, yoga is a type of class without any judgement. However, not only not any judgement but includes encouragement. In the movie, Enlighten Up!, it even mentions that yogi’s learn more from the beginners than the beginners would think. This is simply because the beginners are eager to learn more. I, myself, am no where near an advanced yogi. But going to this past week's yoga class made me feel like I can certainly be on my way. I was able to learn freely without worrying what I looked like, or if I even knew what I was doing. It was more about myself. After leaving, I already began to feel more refreshed. I can already tell that these yoga practices weekly will be great for some “me” time.

For my upcoming yoga classes I plan to keep working on my breathing methods. Working on my flexibility is not a bad idea either! However, I also plan on just working on myself! I am easily stressed out and sometimes I try to fit more in a day than I have the time too. I hope that yoga will teach me how to stop, relax and breath once in awhile. To live more in the present than the past, or most importantly, the future. I am excited to begin this adventure.