After watching the documentary in class about the recovering alcoholics and drug addicts and reading the articles about how yoga is used in the 12-step recovery program; I realized how much of a useful tool yoga can be to managing addiction.
Meditation is the key element in yoga that bridges yoga to recovering addicts. Meditation allows people to clear their mind and relax, be at peace with themselves, control their thoughts and their desires to relapse.
In the article, Helping the "United States of Addiction" Recover, the author gives 4 steps needed to have freedom from addiction:
1. A Spiritual Path
2. Community Support
3. Yoga Meditation
4. Conscious Diet
I believe that practicing yoga gives you all of these 4 steps. Of course people who are in recovery should also continue following the 12-step program along with practicing yoga. Yoga becomes a spiritual practice because you connect with your body on a deeper level as well as a higher power. They members in the studio and in your class are your community support. The instructors are always there to guide and support you through each challenging pose. Meditation is an essential element in yoga. By meditating properly, we also control our breath and are conscious of each inhale and exhale. Breathing is a cleansing process that can detoxify the body. Then the conscious diet, not everyone that does yoga is on a diet but the concept of yoga is to be healthy and treat your body with honor and respect. It is natural for you to eat healthier when you are physically active and notice your body becoming leaner and stronger.
I never really thought about how much of an impact yoga has to recovering addicts but yoga is in fact medicinal and it can cure many illnesses if practiced regularly and whole heartedly.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Ashtanga Yoga and Power Flow Yoga
This week (Oct. 8) we practiced Ashtanga yoga in class. Earlier in the week we watched the movie "Ashtanga, NY" with Pattabhi Jois teaching a seminar in the US. I got some sort of an idea of what to expect for our practice, however it is always easier said than done. Ashtanga is a very progressive practice. You start with stretching and breathing poses and then slowly move on to the primary series, only with the approval of your instructor. Between each asana you take a vinyasa and the entire series is well over two hours. Although we skipped most of the vinyasas and did not do all of the moves, it was still a very difficult practice. After attempting Ashtanga, I can understand why a person only progresses when their instructor allows them because there are some tough poses that I could never do unless I keep practicing them.
Ashtanga contorts the body in many ways and if you cannot complete one pose you will keep repeating the same series your entire life and never advance forward. I can see why many people choose to quit practicing Ashtanga because it takes a lot of patience and dedication. I am happy yoga was adapted and took poses from Ashtanga to create vinyasa flow yoga. I am thankful to have experienced an Ashtanga class but I can see that it is not something I would like to regularly practice.
In the movie we saw, the followers of Ashtanga take their practice very seriously. The atmosphere was a bit cult like and people follow Pattabhi Jois' instructions without hesitation. At the end of his seminar many people bowed down to Pattabhi Jois and kissed his feet. I can see why people have a high level of respect for him but I do not agree with bowing down to anyone and putting them on the same level as God. Yoga can be a very religious practice, but having Mentors does not mean that you should bow down to them and kiss their feet.
On another note, on Saturday October 11, I went to a Power Flow Yoga studio in Clifton NJ.
http://www.powerflownj.com/locations/Clifton
I attended a free hot yoga session open to everyone and It was a great workout. Some things I noticed were:
1. We started and ended the class off with Ohm (instead of just ending)
2. Less yoga terms used (Corpse pose instead of saying Savasana or simply saying directions instead of the name of the pose)
3. There was music, a little too loud and a bit distracting. I wish it was a calmer beat but the drums and rhythm was so fast paced and didn't match our flow
4. It felt more like a gym environment instead of a studio. At YogaNine theres more a sense of family or community and here it was complete strangers and seriousness
5. Much more commercialized, being a big corporation, than YogaNine studio
6. I loved the heated class, the room was wooden and had the proper hot class equipment
7. Very unreligious, no alter, and the class did not end with any sanskrit, just a simple english "thank you and enjoy the rest of your day"
8. Overall, different but good experience, I would practice here on a regular basis
Ashtanga contorts the body in many ways and if you cannot complete one pose you will keep repeating the same series your entire life and never advance forward. I can see why many people choose to quit practicing Ashtanga because it takes a lot of patience and dedication. I am happy yoga was adapted and took poses from Ashtanga to create vinyasa flow yoga. I am thankful to have experienced an Ashtanga class but I can see that it is not something I would like to regularly practice.
In the movie we saw, the followers of Ashtanga take their practice very seriously. The atmosphere was a bit cult like and people follow Pattabhi Jois' instructions without hesitation. At the end of his seminar many people bowed down to Pattabhi Jois and kissed his feet. I can see why people have a high level of respect for him but I do not agree with bowing down to anyone and putting them on the same level as God. Yoga can be a very religious practice, but having Mentors does not mean that you should bow down to them and kiss their feet.
On another note, on Saturday October 11, I went to a Power Flow Yoga studio in Clifton NJ.
http://www.powerflownj.com/locations/Clifton
I attended a free hot yoga session open to everyone and It was a great workout. Some things I noticed were:
1. We started and ended the class off with Ohm (instead of just ending)
2. Less yoga terms used (Corpse pose instead of saying Savasana or simply saying directions instead of the name of the pose)
3. There was music, a little too loud and a bit distracting. I wish it was a calmer beat but the drums and rhythm was so fast paced and didn't match our flow
4. It felt more like a gym environment instead of a studio. At YogaNine theres more a sense of family or community and here it was complete strangers and seriousness
5. Much more commercialized, being a big corporation, than YogaNine studio
6. I loved the heated class, the room was wooden and had the proper hot class equipment
7. Very unreligious, no alter, and the class did not end with any sanskrit, just a simple english "thank you and enjoy the rest of your day"
8. Overall, different but good experience, I would practice here on a regular basis
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Just some thoughts...
Took a Friday am class with Robin last week or so and she was great. She has a very relaxed and calm voice. She was the instructor which I've seen most practice poses along with us. This was one of the first classes I took and I wasn't sweating like crazy. My muscles were a little sore but my endurance seems to be improving. I struggled more with holding a pose in a depend asana than the out of breath cardio feeling.
Today on October 6, I went to yoga flow in the morning. I think this may have been one of my favorite classes up to date. John was subbing for Laurie; I really enjoy Johns teaching. I woke up in a good mood and didn't feel tired even though it was 8am on a cold Sunday morning. The class started smoothly but we quickly moved into the "flow" of things. We worked on a lot of sun salutations and we did quite a few poses in which we were half way forward folded with a straight back and circling our arms around. (Unfortunately my back is now sore from all this circling) Anyway the class flew by! and it was a great workout! He called each pose and it was easy to follow along but still challenging my mind, balance and over all body. To end class we played around with headstands…. And Wah-Lah! I did a head stand! On my forearms and yes slightly against a wall, but I did it and held myself up for what seemed like minutes! I am still super excited about this because not only was I scared to fall but went for it anyway, I did not think I would be able to do this for awhile. Practice makes perfect, So now my next goal is to do one away from the wall. Left yoga feeling great, Good day!
Today on October 6, I went to yoga flow in the morning. I think this may have been one of my favorite classes up to date. John was subbing for Laurie; I really enjoy Johns teaching. I woke up in a good mood and didn't feel tired even though it was 8am on a cold Sunday morning. The class started smoothly but we quickly moved into the "flow" of things. We worked on a lot of sun salutations and we did quite a few poses in which we were half way forward folded with a straight back and circling our arms around. (Unfortunately my back is now sore from all this circling) Anyway the class flew by! and it was a great workout! He called each pose and it was easy to follow along but still challenging my mind, balance and over all body. To end class we played around with headstands…. And Wah-Lah! I did a head stand! On my forearms and yes slightly against a wall, but I did it and held myself up for what seemed like minutes! I am still super excited about this because not only was I scared to fall but went for it anyway, I did not think I would be able to do this for awhile. Practice makes perfect, So now my next goal is to do one away from the wall. Left yoga feeling great, Good day!
Iyengar Practice
This week during John's Tuesday night 9/30/14 class we practiced something a littler bit different. Since Yoga Nine just had a work shop and he learned some Iyengar techniques, he incorporated them into our class. Iyengar is not much of a "flow" class. There are many props (blocks, rope, the wall, etc.) used and it seems more focused on working certain parts of your body specifically in each class. In this class we utilized the wall a lot and we worked on some lunges. The movements are very controlled. It was an interesting glimpse to the Iyengar class we had on Wednesday 10/1/14 at Stockton.
Annie came in to teach us Iyengar. We were all very tightly squeezed together because we had limited wall space. This day we used all the props I previously listed as well as blankets. It was interesting to take part in Iyengar practice but I really wasn't a huge fan. With all the in class practices I feel that I am somewhat biased to not liking them because of the environment (really bright lights, cold room, cramped space, loud noises, etc.) we are in but I enjoyed our previous Bikram practice more compared to Iyengar. I thought that the class lacked focus and was a bit scattered. There were too many pauses between poses. However, I did feel like it was more of a muscle strengthening practice than cardio so I am glad to say that I was not sweaty going to my next class.
I then went to two other classes taught by Kate (I think) and she really incorporates Iyengar style in her teaching. We worked on shoulders and arms "for the week" so my shoulders grew a little sore by the end of the week. I am Iyengared out. And have come to the realization of how much I love yoga flow classes.
Yoga is definitely a ritual practice. I mentally prepare myself the day before and keep reminding myself that I have yoga at a specific time the next day. My body naturally relaxes. I remember when I first took yoga, I would take my cellphone into the class with me and just keep it on silent. When I started attending Yoga Nine, I kept my phone in the cubby. Now after a month of going, I don't even care to bring my phone with me inside. I have learned to some how unlatch myself from the outside world and even clear my mind more easily from other distractions. Being in the "yoga mind set" is definitely not the same mind set as my normal day to day thoughts. I am trying to bring the calmness and self control into my daily life but it does not always come easily. I also would like to comment that I enjoy practicing with people older than myself. I feel that I am more relaxed and comfortable and the practice is taken more seriously. When practicing in class some people feel too comfortable around their friends and talk and laugh during yoga and it distracts the silence and tranquility. I love starting class with breathing exercises or opening up my chest by lying on my back and I love ending class in shavasana. I feel that class would not be complete without these routines. I also enjoy being in the front of the room and not have to worry about looking at other people. The chanting of OHM at the end still has not fully grown on me but these are all some of my rituals I have noticed.
...I've been putting off getting a new mat to replace my 5 year or older mat, which really frustrates me because my hand slips off of them every time I practice. I really need a new mat!
Annie came in to teach us Iyengar. We were all very tightly squeezed together because we had limited wall space. This day we used all the props I previously listed as well as blankets. It was interesting to take part in Iyengar practice but I really wasn't a huge fan. With all the in class practices I feel that I am somewhat biased to not liking them because of the environment (really bright lights, cold room, cramped space, loud noises, etc.) we are in but I enjoyed our previous Bikram practice more compared to Iyengar. I thought that the class lacked focus and was a bit scattered. There were too many pauses between poses. However, I did feel like it was more of a muscle strengthening practice than cardio so I am glad to say that I was not sweaty going to my next class.
I then went to two other classes taught by Kate (I think) and she really incorporates Iyengar style in her teaching. We worked on shoulders and arms "for the week" so my shoulders grew a little sore by the end of the week. I am Iyengared out. And have come to the realization of how much I love yoga flow classes.
Yoga is definitely a ritual practice. I mentally prepare myself the day before and keep reminding myself that I have yoga at a specific time the next day. My body naturally relaxes. I remember when I first took yoga, I would take my cellphone into the class with me and just keep it on silent. When I started attending Yoga Nine, I kept my phone in the cubby. Now after a month of going, I don't even care to bring my phone with me inside. I have learned to some how unlatch myself from the outside world and even clear my mind more easily from other distractions. Being in the "yoga mind set" is definitely not the same mind set as my normal day to day thoughts. I am trying to bring the calmness and self control into my daily life but it does not always come easily. I also would like to comment that I enjoy practicing with people older than myself. I feel that I am more relaxed and comfortable and the practice is taken more seriously. When practicing in class some people feel too comfortable around their friends and talk and laugh during yoga and it distracts the silence and tranquility. I love starting class with breathing exercises or opening up my chest by lying on my back and I love ending class in shavasana. I feel that class would not be complete without these routines. I also enjoy being in the front of the room and not have to worry about looking at other people. The chanting of OHM at the end still has not fully grown on me but these are all some of my rituals I have noticed.
...I've been putting off getting a new mat to replace my 5 year or older mat, which really frustrates me because my hand slips off of them every time I practice. I really need a new mat!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)