I am often faced with answering the question "Should I practice yoga"? or "Who does yoga benefit"? or, and my personal favorite, "I am not flexible enough, how could I take a yoga class?". The truth of the matter is, if you breathe the air, yoga is accessible to you.
A common misconception of yoga is it is only the physical practice of putting yourself into compromising positions, some which look as though they belong in a performance by Cirque du Soleil. Another mistaken belief is yoga involves a group of people who sit around chanting indiscernable words whilst periodically standing on their heads. While I love a headstand as much as the next yogini, this is by no means the whole picture.
Yoga is a spiritual practice which can address the emotional, mental, and physical imbalances of the practitioner. Feeling stressed? Having difficulty concentrating? Muscle aches? Begin a yoga practice. Taking a class at the local community centre is a good start. Or you can simply take a deep breath, then another, and another... Breath awareness is an integral part of the practice of yoga and doesn't require the student to ever put themselves into a Downward Dog. In fact, those of us facing a chronic illness or persistent pain can access the benefits of yoga through the breath.
One more myth buster: yoga is also not a religion. Regardless of your faith, or lack of one, yoga can compliment your beliefs.
So lets drop the label of whom a yoga practicitioner is or isn't. A yogi can be anybody, even you.
K
P.S. We should all take a lesson from my dog, Baldur. Enjoy the snow, even if its April.
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1 comment:
Hi Kippy:
Just read your blog with mom and we are thoroughly impressed. Keep up the good work by keeping in shape and keeping others in good health
Love ya Dad.
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