Yoga Works

Yoga Works Yoga, we have all heard about it, we have all seen something, and we have all felt the ” are you kidding me” vibe.

This is how most people are feeling, even when I write something… RIGHT???

I get it, no body wants something jammed down their throats endlessly and relentlessly, I certainly wouldn’t…

But here we are again, talking about yoga in various forms…

So why are we here?? – Because I got asked a question about it, that’s why…

“When I do yoga at home I fall over and feel silly, how can I go to a “studio” if when I think about it I get embarrassed???? “

Anonymous – But we are all feeling it right…

Well, that is a fair question don’t you think!!!

I think it’s a great question and one that we need to open a “Frank & Ernest” discussion about…

Losing our balance, falling over, not being able to stretch easily, not being able to touch our toes, and feeling like we don’t look like the “media typical yogi” are all things EVERY woman and some men out there feel when think “go and learn yoga”

Well, despite those born with natural flexion, and extension, and those that have been dancers and gymnasts, we are all in the same boat, all need to practice to get the smallest of extra extension and flexion out of our bodies.

Everyone that I have been blessed to teach over the years has been able to do some variation of things I can’t and other things I can.

Some have had multiple children or just one, some have had injuries, many or a few, and some just simply aren’t that flexible at all.

But this is OKAY, this is what the beauty difference is and the beauty about everyone being different.

When you finally want to step out of the loungeroom and into a “studio” or hall, whatever you feel is great for you, find someone you resonate with, someone that looks into your eyes and sees the real person inside you.

Once you find that person joining a class, don’t sign up for a term or a membership just become a casual drop-in student to see what the experience with that teacher, class, or other students is like.

When you have spent time, feeling, relaxing, and talking to others around you, and if you are happy with the environment and it vibes well with you could take your commitment further.

First thing first though, your comfort, that of your body, mind, and spirit is where this journey truly starts.

When I teach a class I like to have everybody in the room feel like they are comfortable and able to speak freely.

I like to know that when they speak about anything they feel supported.

When one of us gets the wobbles, falls out of a posture, or just needs to modify, everyone stays with what they are doing or is supportive of that person.

Here is a little secret, I get unbalanced easily, I can’t do my practice with my eyes shut at all because of the middle ear balance that I have and have had since I was very young (of cause I can if I am seated)

This also means that if I take my eyes off my Drishti (focal point) and haven’t engaged Mula Bandha (abdominals) properly I can wobble or step out of an Asana (yoga pose) really easily.

This is how you should feel when you are in any type of practice or environment. Whether that be work, sports, or social events we should all be able to feel comfortable in our own minds, body, and spirit.

So what if we try a number of places and still can’t feel comfortable??

Yoga is supposed to be inclusive, this means you can wear a loose t-shirt or yoga clothes, shorts or longs… it doesn’t matter as long as whatever you are wearing is comfortable and easy to move in.

Social media has projected this amazing image of the pretzel twisting, crop top wearing, perfect ab showing, and taught butt flaunting pictures that everyday women feel less flattered than ever before.

They feel un-naturally big, despite being tiny, they feel less attractive compared to those in the posts and they feel like they can’t be them…

Now I am here to tell you that photoshopping is widespread and most of the pictures have been carefully staged and cropped, edited, and enhanced till nothing but fake is there.

All of the men and women in the photos on social media on these large accounts are carefully curated to make themselves look amazing and many have been dancers or gymnasts in a previous life, those little things that aren’t given light when they share a bio on that feed.

Most of these accounts are able to share this due to sponsorships and people like us purchasing products they recommend so that they collect affiliate top-ups. Their accounts are businesses and hats off to them they do well with what they are great at.

Yes, we all aspire to greatness, and yes we all want to look amazing, but do we and should we compare ourselves to these people??

NO, NO, NO, NO, we shouldn’t compare ourselves to anyone else, we should be able to accept and enjoy the people we are and enjoy the practice we love.

So to answer the above question that started this whole story, jump out of your comfort zone, speak to those that you know travel to a yoga class, and ask them about the classes and atmosphere, teacher, and other students…

Ask them about everything that makes you feel uncomfortable, and ask questions.

This is the best way to find out where to start and if you really want to leave the lounge room and move into the “studio” environment.