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.