Overall this class has engaged my mind to do a lot more introspection as well as always questioning why it is that I do something.  I realized this semester why I do yoga at all, I realized how competitive I am with everyone else in the room and that I need to try a yin class with some HIIT workout to precede it.  Yoga is so diverse that saying the word yoga can mean countless different things.  It's amazing to me what the western world can do to something that was so sacred and traditional miles and miles away.  The way that it evolved is fascinating as well, that humans can continue to get more egocentric is quite shocking to me.  How evolution hasn't made our heads bigger yet is a huge miracle.  I loved being able to write every Friday on the prompts that truly did make me think, realizing I didn't know the answers.  I don't think this class has strengthened my yoga practice at all, if anything it's just made me more picky (which I'm okay with) (I don't like to settle).  I want to try many different styles of yoga and how my body reacts to them.  I love yoga because it makes me sweat, it feels like dance to me and I can feel strong and rooted into the floor.  It made me sad to hear people in the class feel uncomfortable when they went to classes because the teacher didn't take the time to know them and know they needed to be taught and guided, not talked at.  I think the price of yoga defers people a lot of the time, as well as the all women deal.  I know I wouldn't walk into a class alone where I knew it was 95% men, not unless I did a lot of research first and felt strong and bulletproof that day.  I don't know where authentic yoga is, because from what we learned it definitely doesn't exist in the Western world.  With that I feel that each person has to decide for themselves what they believe to be best for them, it's an individual preference.  Just like there are somehow always new ice cream flavors, there will always be new styles of yoga.  American's are never satisfied, why would yoga and sculpting our butts be any different.  Well that's all for now, I'm going to go have some turmeric gluten free/ dairy free/ vegan ice cream that I got at whole foods.

Due:    Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Pranayama & Practice: -How is pranayama taught/practiced in your practice space(s)? What is the purpose of breath work in your practice space? Is breath the "focus"of your practice? Explain why it is, or is not.

Pranayama is mentioned throughout the classes that I attend.  It is taught as ujayi or ocean sounding breath.  Deep long audible inhales followed by the same type of exhales.  They are meant to be linked with our movements, and to make sense with the way we are moving.  I wouldn't say that I believe it is taught, but it is mentioned- I believe it deserves way more attention.  Some classes it may never be spoken about or touched on, which is unacceptable because yoga is arguably just sweaty movements without breath - might as well be at the gym.  The purpose of breath work is always described to link your breath with your neighbor, or the person next to you.  If you believe that they can hear you, try to make the person next to them be able to hear you as well, inspiring others to continue the wave.  So in this sense it's more about reminding others around you to breath because it's hard to hear someone breathing at a different pace than you.  Sometimes the teacher calls the breath as it is linked with the yoga postures, but a lot of the times I feel if you haven't been to a ton of classes or taught- breath is just something that you hear others doing and believe that may be enough.  Breathing is said in class to keep you focused, allow your mind not to wander outside of the studio for this hour.  Nothing is every mentioned about cleansing or the powers of deep long inhales and exhales.  I believe that breath is the focus of my practice when I remember it to be.  Some days I walk into yoga and I am distracted and I'm focused on my body or my big toe that hurts at the moment- or how someone just put their mat entirely too close to mine when there's whole studio to choose from.  When I do focus on my breath though, I love my practice.  It is so much more easeful as well as intentional, my body likes when I breath that way.  I've recently tried to make it my focus, and I like my practice so much more.  It's a choice that I make- it's sad to me how the very thing that keeps us alive goes so unnoticed throughout every other moment of our lives. 

Due:    Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: What is the role of the body? How is the body approached and how is the body seen as a vehicle for experience of the divine?

In my practice space in particular I believe that the main focus is strictly on the body itself.  I believe that the theme isn't on how we can meditate while moving, but yet how we can push our bodies to our "edge" whatever that means.  I think what the studio means to convey is stop selling yourself short, stop putting limits on your abilities.  That then manifests in certain poses that are harder than others and are met with grumbles.  People like comfort, they don't like change especially when it physically hurts them.  I then think about the fact that we all literally either signed up online to take this class ahead of time, or we walked in the door willingly with our own two legs.  Why did we come all the way here and pay money to take a class if all we wanted to do is keep our bodies in the comfortable position that they've always been in? If we wanted to not "push ourselves to fulfill our potential" we could have stayed home in our pajamas and done comfortable yoga.  I believe that most people come to yoga studios for motivation and for instruction to do more than they would have challenged themselves to do.  The body is the vessel in which yoga is conducted and therefore having the ability to experience the divine.  I wouldn't say thats the focus at all of the studio that I go to.  I don't believe that I've ever heard the word enlightenment- but the word body or other manifestations of the word body are used constantly.  It's approached as a cloak that needs to be better and needs to be pushed by your mind because if not it will never become anything different.  The vessel will continue to walk along and simply age out.  

Due:    Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Yoga as “meditation”: -Is yoga used as a form of meditation in your practice space(s)? If so, how is meditation practiced? explained? If not, why do you believe meditation is absent from your "yoga" practice?

In some of the yoga classes I attend, the teachers have recently begun with meditation in the beginning of class.  They explain this is to set our intention for the class, and leave everything outside of the classroom that isn't serving you.  It's 5 minutes that allow our minds to slow down and realize we're in a yoga class and should be focused on that alone.  I don't believe that yoga alone however is used as meditation in our practice space.  I believe that yoga is focused on the sweating part of it, or maybe being so focused in the pose that you aren't thinking on anything but that pose.  The underlying reason for yoga might be meditation, but I don't believe that is vocalized.  Anyone that hasn't been exposed to that aspect of yoga, wouldn't understand that branch I don't believe.  I believe that meditation is absent because the yoga studio is so focused on the speed, and flow of the yoga practice- rather than understanding the true meaning of yoga as it was intended to be. If yoga is the stilling of the mind through movement, then meditation is the same thing except you're not necessarily moving.  So yoga is intended to be moving mediation.  This form of mediation works better for me because every time I sit down and close my eyes, I am 100% falling asleep.  No matter how focused or awake I am... immediate exhaustion attacks me.  I don't feel that my yoga practice is about meditation because of the type of yoga I participate in.  Whenever I enter the room I always wish that I'm in a yin class, or a slow class that is focused on my body alignment and a meditative state.  But instead I sweat and my muscles twitch for an hour as I patiently wait for savasana.  I could of course go to a yoga class that is more relaxed, and put meditation back into my yoga practice.  The only one to blame is myself.  

Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Definitions of Yoga --How is yoga defined in the context of your practice space(s)? What kinds of connections are made to this definition and your group practice? Are there connections made outside of the context of the practice space?

Thinking about yoga in the sense of defining it within the practice space is a very interesting concept to ponder on.  I'm trying to think of a time where the word yoga has even been mentioned, and I genuinely can't.  There isn't a point where the teacher says thank you for coming to yoga today, or plainly defines what yoga is using the word yoga.  They'll say things like thank you for coming out and sweating this morning, or call the class by the name like beginners or all levels.  We move through the postures and cues from beginning to end without any mention of what we are actually all doing in this hot room with 4 walls.  I don't know if I even believe that anything is being defined... except for my thighs of course.  I'm wracking my brain trying to think about what connections are made to this definition, because I have no idea what is being defined.  If it's not yoga, then what is it?  A work out?  A way to pass an hour of time away?  An excuse to use your workout clothes?  To pick something that is being defined for the sake of this blog I would say breath and movement, with the focus being on working out.  To me at least the practice at the studio I attend isn't about relaxation or finding out the meaning and culture behind the poses and concepts we're adhering to.  With breath we are encouraged to breath with our neighbor, breathe louder so that they can hear us.  Our breath is what connects us to our body and to the people sweating on the mat adjacent to us.  Our breath defines our practice, how we are feeling and a symbol showing that we are still alive.  With breath and working out I'd say that no there aren't connections made outside of the practice space.  With just a normal one hour class no, you go in- you sweat- you change your clothes- and you leave.  The connection is that the people within that class and you share something in common, but not necessarily a true human connection.   I think the words and phrases that are used in class can absolutely resonate outside of the practice space.  This can create a connection between the teacher and student, and possibly studio and student but maybe not the other people within the room.  By the time you change, those people are out the door trying to find the closest place to get kombucha.  This prompt question has genuinely stumped me, and I'm now curious why the heck anyone shows up and what is being defined in this room we all gather silently in.  I hope we can talk more about this in class.  

Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Yoga as a Lifestyle & Culture -Yoga has made a transition from "traditional culture" to "counter culture" to "pop culture" here in the West. What have you observed about yoga that firmly establishes it as "pop culture"? What has been the effect on yoga in the West?

Pop culture is defined as: 

1. modern popular culture transmitted via mass media and aimed particularly at younger people. 

   
   

   This is particularly true of yoga because it is all over every form of media, and media is basically all consumed by younger people.  Yoga has become the fad of our generation- the different forms- but most importantly the reason for exercise and "sculpting the perfect body".  The perfect body this minute I believe is defined as a tight, and big butt- which yoga is said to accomplish.  This will match so well with LuluLemon's new Spring line of leggings that contour all of the right places for the small price of $128.  Yoga is seen as a form of rigorous exercise in some studios- therefore practically eliminating older people all together.  It's aimed at women, only young women.  If young men hear that their girl is doing yoga they are thrilled to say the least.  Yoga is all over social media, television commercials, Netflix commercials, magazine covers, retreats- the list is endless.  I don't know if I know a single girl that has not done yoga at least once in their life, and that time has most likely been within the last 3 or 4 years.  

   
   

   Because yoga has become the beacon of pop culture, this of course means it has succumb to the Western effect.  The West turns everything into a capitalists countries dream.  This means that no moment is wasted, even the hour we are in the yoga studio trying to relax and not think about our work day, week, month or year. Yoga has become a workout routine, or regiment if you will.  We are tricked into thinking it's different than the last fad because it is also good for our mental health.  Within class we are praised for our choice of taking time for ourselves, while also getting a good sweat- the perfect bang for buck.  

Theme: Yoga as Healing (medicine) -How is yoga seen as a healing practice at your practice space? How is this communicated to you? Is thia part of the class practice? How do you feel after doing yoga?

At the studio I attend, for the most part the healing aspects that are spoken about are mostly directed toward our minds.  The jargon is all leaning toward allowing yourself to relax and not focus on what has come before the practice or what will come after.  It's based on focus and energy, allowing mistakes to be made and using your breath to encourage others around you.  It's nothing like the practices we've had in class which speak on how certain postures can mend us, I'm thinking specifically about the Bikram class.  What is spoken about though is how to not injure yourself while doing yoga.  Softening the joints, being aware of any injuries or tightness in your body.  Stacking the joints right on top of one another is something thats often spoken about, and always if anything ever hurts or is too much for you modify or take child's pose.  The teacher will continue to say these things throughout class, while she's directing our poses and breath.  I feel as though speaking about healing will definitely depend on the teacher, but normally no there aren't conversations about the healing nature of yoga postures.  Modifications are talked about, encouraged to use a block to bring the ground to you if you yourself can't reach the ground.  The largest aspect around the studio I attend is how to not injure yourself by aligning and relaxing your mind for this hour out of your day.  After I've done yoga, I feel absolutely great.  I love being able to notice the difference in my muscles and my body once I've finished a class.  I feel more in my body and self confident actually.  I like the heated room because it feels good to sweat, especially on cold March days like today.  I feel stronger and energized, so happy that I came to class.  It's hard for me to get myself there some days because I feel too tired or maybe just not up to it.  Once I leave the class though I'm ready to fully take on the day.  I have scoliosis and very tight hamstrings because of that, especially in my left leg.  Most people have a preference for which side they like better, or is more flexible and so on.  My favorite is absolutely my right side because I can do everything.  My left side, however couldn't be more different.  Because of the way my back curves my whole left side of my body is out of whack.  It's no noticeable if you just see me in passing, but I notice it.  My feet are even different, balancing on my left side is so hard because my foot is actually more narrow then my right.  Because of this, I feel like I neglect the left side of my body throughout my day subconsciously.  In yoga I don't have that option, which is one of my favorite aspects.  I feel as though yoga aligns me, and gives me the space and time to stretch my left side just as much as my right.  I walk better after a yoga class, I'm able to sit up straighter and I feel like a million bucks.  I went to class this morning, and after writing this I already want to go back... If only it wasn't Nor'Eastering outside. 

Looking at Smith and building on Nevrin, does your practice space promote a sense of community? DEFINE this community and discuss its PURPOSE for both the studio and you. How much do you feel part of this community?

I believe that my practice space at one point for me did produce a sense of community.  When I first started going to the studio, which has been about 2 years ago there was a sense of practitioners being acquainted with each other.  Before the start of the class you were to get up off your mat and meet at least 2 new people, as well as those you are practicing / sweating next to.  I enjoyed this because I feel it's important when you're in the same room with other people frequently that you should be able to recognize faces and names, maybe a fun fact they told you about themselves.  This creates belonging and the ability to be seen.  So often I feel as though humans forget what it's like to be human.  We all know that we would love the person next to us to say hi and introduce themselves to break what ever nervous tension you may be feeling- but we won't.  We are too often afraid of rejection or feelings of inadequacy or weirdness.  No no we can't be thought of as weird.  Also before class started they would ask if anyone had never done yoga before, or this specific style.  This wasn't to single them out (although maybe it did) but to ensure that this space cared about your well being and wanted to make sure that your yoga abilities were accounted for.  It's purpose for the studio is to encourage people to come back, and bring new people.  It starts a conversation that yoga is a place where you can have friends outside of work.  Basic human American needs are met- working out, relaxation, and social interaction.  Yoga when looked at this way sounds practically perfect in every way.  For me this used to be important because I wanted to be a part of a group.  I had been on sports teams my whole life, I wanted a team to push me and know me for who I am as a person.  This community was in my life when I needed it to be, now I belong elsewhere and am much more comfortable and confident with myself.  I don't feel it necessary anymore to belong to this community, but if others feel they need it I hope they are satisfied.  The studio no longer asks these questions, or allows us to get off our mats and force healthy interaction with others.  I guess that's what happens when people get comfortable- they stop doing the positive things they did in the beginning.  

Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: Practice as Ritual-Based on the article by Nevrin, How might your practice be analyzed as a "ritual"? How does this ritual function to change the nature, impact or intensity of your practice experience? 

I genuinely had a difficult time understanding this question and how to answer it in an educated way.  I was confused on the word ritual, even after reading the article and Dr. Greene's notes on Nevrin.  I looked up the definition of ritual - a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. This now made a little more sense to me, because when I think of the word ritual- as I would believe most would- I think of a religious act.  So when I was trying to relate this to the yoga practice that I partake in- I don't consider any part of it religious for me.  To be able to focus on this journal I had to erase the religious connotations from my mind.  Nevrin speaks of the way we are moving throughout yoga class, how it opens up different parts of our body and mind that usually are neglected.  It is an embodied experience, it is not solely thought of or performed- but both of those elements intertwined simultaneously.  Each of the postures are carried out with "a particular quality of attention and precision".  In the following sentence he goes further to say that it is "Meditation in action".  I personally really love this definition, this is what I feel I experience when I am practicing yoga.  The teacher will speak about emptying your mind and focus on the poses and breathing into the spaces of discomfort.  It's amazing that when you "try" to think of nothing, it's not easy at first.  As humans and particularly Americans we are always thinking of something.  This something is usually an event that hasn't happened yet and we are stressed about it.  This ritual of training your mind to think of nothing except breathing does intensify my practice.  This enables me to realize how I never think about breathing at all throughout my day.  How amazing, right?  The very thing that is keeping me alive and attached to this earth just happens without me ever noticing.  It even happens when I'm asleep, in control of no part of my body.  We are interconnected with the environment that we practice in, and the mindset we receive while we are there becomes accustomed.  In this way that we are to focus on our poses it "keep(s) the practitioner particularly focused and attentive".  So while we believe we are thinking about nothing, we are actually just not thinking about the things that don't matter.  We are focused on this pose in this moment because it's the present, and we can control it with our breath.  Another huge element Nevrin speaks on is the preconceived notions we have carried with us into the studio space.  Every piece of us defines our experience, yet the ritual is supposed to more or less strip those biases away to reveal the poses as they are meant to be experienced.  

Weelky Practice Journals: Theme: Yoga as Physical Culture- Is yoga framed as more than exercise? In what ways is it suggested at your practice space that yoga can "empower" you? Why not run, or do zumba?

Yoga is framed as more than exercise, people would just run if it wasn't because running is free.  I believe that people want to feel part of a community when they are in a yoga studio or at any place of fitness. They want to believe they belong, and that they aren't alone in this journey we call life.  Yoga is promoted as a way to get in touch with your mind and inner spirit, as well as getting in a great sweat.  Teachers will always talk you up saying how proud they are of you for choosing to wake up early and take care of yourself.  They'll speak on how this hour of yoga will translate across your mat and allow you to have a great day.  Yoga is about clearing your mind they tell you, trying to focus solely on your practice and your breath.  In a soft tone they'll say "If thought pop up in your mind, acknowledge them and let them go". Yoga empowers you because you aren't only strengthening your body but also your mind.  Focusing on yourself will give you confidence that others will be able to detect in you.  With yoga you can flow and move through your problems. Running might be having bad or motivating thoughts on your mind to get you to run faster and farther.  Yoga is meant to be about forgiving and forgetting those things and using your own positive energy to create a better future for yourself.  

Weekly Practice Journals: Theme: The Studio as Ritual Space-What makes your practice space a "sacred space"? Consider the sounds, decorations, rules, behaviors and other aspects of the practice space that create an opportunity for ritual experience.  

I don't know if I believe that my practice space is a "sacred space".  Because I feel that yoga in America has become the latest and greatest exercise fad, my studio space doesn't scream sacred space.  There is always soft acoustic music playing when you walk in the building, as well as in the studio itself before practice starts.  If you weren't listening closely enough, I don't think you'd be able to hear it playing.  There is also always some sort of incense or essential oil burning.  They will have the incense in between the space where you sign in and where you leave your things in the cubby wall.  They also have an essential oil diffuser that is switched out when the incense aren't burning.  I believe this is for aesthetics, making the studio feel as relaxed and tranquil as possible.  I also believe this is because the studio I most often attend is a power yoga studio where the room is heated at 90 degrees or above.  Therefore, everyone is very sweaty and consequentially smell like gym socks.  I believe the incense provide a duel purpose without telling everyone that they smell.  I can't think of any specific rules there are to follow in the space.  In the studio itself everyone practices barefoot, so we take our shoes off before we enter.  That feels sacred to me, or has respectful roots just as in you walk in barefoot to religious temples.  Another aspect that could be considered ritualistic is how the practice begins and ends the same way each time.  There are 3 ohms before we start and finishing after shavasana.  I would describe the studio as more of a tranquil or relaxing space.  That is the vibe the room is trying to omit, like a spa or retreat of some sort.  

A a student new to observing yoga, even if you are experienced at practice, begin your journals by observing the physical environment, the community of people who attend classes and frequent your practice space, and your impressions feelings and observations about what you are doing while "doing yoga". 

Yesterday I went to a yoga class at the studio that I have been attending for about a year and a half now.  The physical environment is inviting, it's not a completely open floor plan.  It's hard to critique this space because it has become a place of comfort.  I don't have to think when I walk in, I know the drill.  I walk up to the front desk, give them my name, put my donation in the jar and walk into the room where we leave our things.  There are a few couches in this room, along with a wall of cubbies to leave all of our extra winter belongings that we don't need in the studio.  I then walk down the long hallway to reach the bathroom.  I set up my mat before I went to the bathroom to get a spot that was open, the class was more full than normal.  Since the last time I had went to yoga they had moved the blocks, so I started walking to the back of the room only to realize I was hitting a wall and quickly made a detour.  The people who attend class were practically all women, I'd say between their 30's and 50's.  There were 3 men in the class, 2 of which had come together and the other is going through his teacher training program.  Most of the women sat with their friends, and if they didn't know anyone they sat quietly on their mat before the teacher started speaking. I notice a lot of people do this- they'll lay down on their mat with their eyes closed.  I'm sure that some do it just to relax before class, but I believe a lot do it because it's uncomfortable to look around and not know anyone in a crowded room.  I always like to make a point to talk to the people around me, I don't want anyone to feel alone.  Humans are meant to interact.  This studio isn't like studios that I've been to in Philadelphia, where everyone is really intense and probably don't even realize they're in a room with other human beings.  

It's hard for me to describe my feelings and impressions of yoga, but I know that they've definitely changed in my year and a half of practice.  I know my motivations revolve around the facts that: 1. I know I'm going to sweat 2. I care about my body and I want a good workout 3. I have scoliosis and yoga helps me feel more centered 4. I used to be a dancer, and the motions of yoga are some what of a lesser supplement of dancing 5. It's freezing outside and I want to be in a warm room, making outside seem more manageable.  While I'm "doing yoga" I try not to think much at all.  I try to focus on my breath, to control it rather than just allow my body to function for me.  I think about the sweat dripping down my body and how fascinating it is that our bodies do that.  The first time I ever sweat (sweated - past tense of sweat) was in a yoga class.  Like I said, I used to dance- I danced for 10 years and it was my whole life.  I loved it, and I still love it.  The program that I was involved in became too intense for me and I decided I wanted to experience other things.  If I had stayed dancing I wouldn't have been able to do anything throughout high school which I felt was important at the time.  I was always yelled at because I wasn't sweating- they told me I wasn't working hard enough if I wasn't sweating.  So my inability to sweat became traumatic almost for me because I thought I was working as hard as I could, but my body just didn't perspire.  Everyone else could sweat, why couldn't I ?! I personally was okay with getting yelled at because I thought sweating was gross, everyone dripping salty body fluids - no thank you.  I've gone off topic- point is I realized I could sweat in yoga (granted because it's 90 degrees in the room) but still it was very exciting! This coming week I will hopefully be able to fit in a different studio space so that I may get a fresh perspective on practice.