bio: a bit of a biography. i have practiced yoga and meditation at different points of my
life. my most recent practice has been pretty consistent since 1999. i practice
iyengar yoga. i certainly do not consider myself an expert, though it is a topic i take very seriously and have studied.
i am not a yoga teacher, although, i have filled in for my teacher on a few occassions.
i am keeping this yoga blog for a number or reasons. first of all, to experiment
with a different style of blogging, next, in a hope it will enrich my practice - by focusing my reading and by keeping my focus on my
daily practice - on and off the mat, and lastly, in an attempt to provide a resource for new and experienced yoga practitioners -
a resource that will contain links to what i find interesting, informative, etc., about yoga admittedly, filtered
through my own biases. i keep another weblog _monk in case you are interested
in the more mundane events of my life, or a potpourri of random thoughts.
11:05 AM
TheStar.com - Small steps, big gains
from the article:
The thing about yoga is, anyone can do it. It is deceptively simple. A beginners' class looks like a series of easy stretches. As you get stronger, you go deeper — but you're not competing with anyone, and you're doing the best you can in the moment.
some good advice...
the rest of the article is full of good advice as well. what i like is the focus on small, concrete steps that can lead to great progress. change does not come overnight - least not very often...
posted by Mike at 11:05 AM
Thursday, January 15, 2004
7:35 PM
Yoga American Style by Prem Prakash
from the article:
Feeling good is fine and dandy, but spirituality, in the long run, is more about self-transcendence than about self-improvement. If Yoga practices are presented outside of their spiritual context, they are no longer Yoga. This is my criticism of most Yoga classes given in health clubs and similar settings. The spa is a swell place for a swim and a workout, but it is an unlikely site for a spiritual experience. Can you imagine someone who claims to be a Catholic priest offering the sacrament of communion at the local YMCA because it is helpful in stress management?
i think a strength of yoga is that the practice is adaptable to circumstances. while yoga undoubtedly has and will continue to evolve in america, there must be a balance between adapting to america and retaining yoga's integrity.
posted by Mike at 7:35 PM
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
4:27 PM
Yoga and Tai Chi
great advice for those thinking of starting yoga or tai chi. while this article was written from the point of view of someone with arthritis, it applies to anyone, really. not coincidentally, i am starting a tai chi class next week! i expect it to be very complementary with yoga....
posted by Mike at 4:27 PM
Sunday, January 11, 2004
11:32 PM
MSNBC - Real Men Do Yoga
in fact, tonight's class was a first for me. the first time i've ever been in a class where the male students outnumbered the female. i have often been the only male in the class. whis doesn't bother me one way or another - as i am just focusing on what i do on the mat and my teacher's instructions. about the only issue is given most of the other students are female, it makes it tough to become friends with them, as i don't want my friendliness to be misinterpreted...
that being said, after a long period of little activity, it feels good to be on the mat. mostly, i fear tomorrow i will be a bit sore as my hands were really shaking from fatigue after the class. perhaps some icy hot is in order...all this on the day my teacher opened the class by talking about ahimsa - and the need to be non-violent with oneself in the poses. perhaps given my recent lack of practice, i should have taken it easier on myself - oh well, this, too shall pass...no injury, just fatigue and soreness - we'll see how i feel tomorrow...
posted by Mike at 11:32 PM
1:29 PM
my yoga practice is becoming more active again. the thing i need to remember is to make it a habit - something indispensable in the day. it was once like that, and i think i'm getting back to it. how good i feel afterwards should be incentive. also, i need to be committed to attending classes...that keeps you honest, guarantees at least one good session a week (not sufficient, i know, but it's a start - plus it keeps you conscious of it, and motivated)
help keep me honest folks. how do you keep your practice going?
posted by Mike at 1:29 PM