FINAL REFLECTION

The Semester has come to a quick end, and I will firmly say this was my favorite class! Yes, the aspect of free yoga was amazing, but I learned so much new information and genuinely was interested in all of it. I realized that I cannot be closed minded to the world around me, I cannot just live within myself and not realize that my actions and thoughts impact those around me.

I was brought up in a Christian household, and although some aspects of Christianity still stick with me firmly, I was really exposed to a totally different aspect of religion. And Although it is true religion does not have to be a part of yoga, I found it to be helpful in really getting the full experience of going through the journey of yoga. Up till now my "religious" aspect has been
1. to honor myself
2. to honor my body
3. to respect those around me
4. to acknowledge that I am part of the world and care about the choices I make
5. to learn to clear my mind and live in the moment
6. to become less attached to materialistic items
7. to be more carefree and not let others effect me so much
8. acknowledge a higher power and try to make it part of a daily routine
9. people with some religious view or belief are naturally happier
10. living in the world today, surrounded by materialistic distractions makes it impossible to have a fully religious life--- but religion is what you make of it

I also learned a lot more about Yoga in general. Myths and stereotypes that I thought were true, was proved to be completely inaccurate.
-Yoga is not just a form of stretching… Yoga is so Complex (beneficially it also can be a great workout that I easily break out in a sweat)
-Females who wear yoga pants and pose without much close on, give yoga a bad image
-Lulu lemon supports child labor and does not protect female rights :P
- Real yogis don't practice on mats, or in classrooms, or use any form of drugs

On the educational aspect, the comparison between East and West was also very interesting. . So much has changed and been adapted from the origins of Yoga in India to current United States. The history of yoga has evolved rapidly and spread vastly into many different forms and techniques. The documentaries we watched were extremely beneficial to grasping "What is Yoga?" as well as practicing different types of yoga allowed me to experience a huge diversity of practices.

Overall, I am grateful to have taken this class. I am looking forward to continue my practice in yoga…

What is Yoga?

Before starting my practice, I saw Yoga simply as a form of physical activity that challenges the body and stretches you out. I never really thought of all the benefits, the origins and the different types of practices both eastern and western.
In the first paper that I wrote for this class about The meaning of Yoga, I said "Each yogi is after one goal: the ability to connect to a greater power, physically challenge their bodies and achieve total enlightenment." Although I still feel that is a general idea behind yoga but there is so much more that comes with following a practice.

 Now, after practicing for two months, I have started to realize what yoga is for me.

It is a time to get away, to put my life and problems aside and focus only on myself.

It is a time to improve my physical health and work up a sweat to stay fit. 

It is a time to practice controlling my breath and understanding the needs of my body.

It is a time to push my limits and strengthen my body.

It is a time to set goals for myself and focus on achieving them. 

It is a time to clear out the toxins in my body and feel lighter and happier.

It is a time to relieve stress and connect my body to mother earth. 

It is a time to be apart of a community.

It is a time to thank my body and enhance my overall wellbeing.

Yoga is becoming a part of my life, when I leave the studio I feel relieved and like a new person.    I bring that positive energy and happiness to my day to day activities. I love being a part of this new community and can see myself continuing to practice Yoga regularly. I have become much more interested in the origins of yoga as well as the natural medicinal benefits and want to continue my research. I would also try to venture into the field of Ayurveda one day to enhance my diet…. I still have a lot to learn about what yoga is, but maybe in five years down the road I will revisit this question and see what I have to say… 

Meditation

On Wednesday Oct. 29, we practiced Meditation in class. In the past, the most I have probably ever done is just lay down and think about things or try to concentrate but lose focus within a minute or two. I believe we stayed about twenty minutes in meditation, our instructor told us that every time a thought came into our minds to just acknowledge it and then let it go. This was a very difficult thing to do because my mind constantly kept roaming different thoughts…
Meditation is something that definitely needs to be practiced with patiences daily. I believe it does have the potential to improve mental health and allow people to have better control of their thoughts and actions.
I am not sure if I can commit to start meditating regularly. Even though taking time to take care of my body is not wasting time, at this point in my life I feel constantly rushed, busy and on a schedule. It can only be ten minutes of my day that I dedicate to practicing, which is not much at all, but I also feel that I do not fully understand my goal in meditating, therefore wasting time…
But this is something I can try to start slowly practicing and eventually I will able to do a full session. Next time, I would try it with my back against the wall but I would probably avoid laying down so I don't fall asleep.