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.