Yoga Myth #3 – Yoga is primarily a physical stretching practice.

Somehow the physical aspects of yoga have been emphasized in the West, often at the expense of the deeper teachings of yoga. In yoga, we direct the mind from the external to the internal. We often begin with linking the attention to the body through breath and postures. Since the mind is conditioned to go outwards it is a training to redirect the mind, especially in this age of constant entertainment and stimulation.

The most profound goal of yoga is eliminating all conditioned behaviors so that we respond fully in each moment instead of running our programs. Of course, it is good to rely on learned habits for things like driving and typing! But wouldn’t you like to break that cycle of reacting to your child or spouse in the same old way? Wouldn’t they be surprised as well!

One of my teachers, Swami Satchidananda, says that yoga is not Hindu, it’s Un-do! Yoga will un-do the superficial and conditioned behaviors. Yoga – practiced sincerely with the guidance of a good teacher – will bring you in touch with your fundamental nature and your own core beliefs.

 

Do I have chant to Hindu gods to do yoga?

You don’t have to chant at all to do yoga, never mind to Hindu or any other gods!!!  If they are chanting in class and you don’t feel comfortable, just listen to the sounds and appreciate that without joining in.  Also, watch your own reactions and learn about your own mind, judgments and values.   If you don’t like it, find another class or talk to the teacher.   

It is important to realize, however, that an essential part of this transformational practice of yoga is cultivating a strong internal reference to a higher principle or greater force than your little human self.  This can be the deity of your own faith; a principle of kindness, generosity, compassion; or the forces of nature or Gaia.   The practices of yoga adapted to your own culture and beliefs will make you a better devotee of whatever faith you follow.  This relationship with a higher principle tempers the ego-driven impulses – the ME, MY, MINE which is the cause of colossal suffering!  

I teach Christian yoga classes which incorporate Christian scriptures, chants and contemplative reflections.   The body, breath and mind are soothed and groomed for internal prayer and reflection.  Students feel a profound connection with their Christian faith from internalization through yoga.   I have done the same for students who are practicing Hindus, Jews, Wiccans – yoga can be customized for any faith tradition!

Yoga Myth #2 – Yoga is a religion.

Some people feel the practice of yoga is in opposition to, or a threat to their religion.  They know yoga came from India and they think it is a Hindu thing.   Yoga is not a religion, nor is it Hindu. 

Yoga originated from the Vedic culture, which is pre-Hindu.  Many teachers who brought yoga to the west were practicing Hindus and some of their cultural traditions were mixed along with the yoga.   However, yoga is actually a science of transformation which supports, explains and illumines the practices of any religion. 

The ancient sages of India did mind/body experiments and explorations.  They developed this system which can work for anyone, of any culture, of any faith or no faith.  Since it can reproduce the predicted effect if the steps are followed, yoga is considered a science.  It is the bones of processes developed in every religion, but the meat and dressing of your yoga is whatever faith you follow.   When linked with the culture of your chosen faith, it will strengthen your devotion.

If you are an atheist or agnostic, yoga can work for you also.   Humility, reverence and wonder – states which ‘built into’ faith traditions – must be developed as part of your yoga.   

So, yoga is not a religion but will deepen your reverence for life itself and strengthen your heart of devotion to a Higher Principle.

Should I try to become super-flexible (like Gumby) from yoga?

Physical systems need motion and they need limitations to this motion.  For example, a train riding on its tracks is a smooth and efficient ride.  A train going off the tracks is a disaster – destructive to the train, passengers, the tracks and the environment. 

The muscles move the bones which are connected at the joints.  The joints are supported by ligaments which act like ‘guywires’ to provide stability and support through a range of motion.  If your ligaments are too loose, the joints are unstable and may be like a train off the tracks!  Some people are very flexible even before yoga – even too flexible; “hypermobility” is risky for the joints. 

PLEASE respect and care for your ligaments.  Don’t overstretch them in yoga.  They may not recover and your joints will wear down.   Learn the right feeling of stretching the muscles by using the breath linked with your attention.  If you try to be like Gumby by overstretching, you may instead become a candidate for knee/hip/back/shoulder surgery.  

Activate your inner sensitivity as you challenge yourself respectfully.  Flowering, not force, is the way.

What is flexibility, anyway?

Your muscles have a certain tone which is related to strength, tension, suppleness and resilience.  They need to be able to contract (work) and also, to lengthen (stretch and release).  They are connected to bone with tendons and they move the bones so we can do life. 

If the muscles are too tight, there is rigidity and limited range of motion.  In some cases, muscles are strong, but there is not a balanced development of strength and flexibility.  This is a limited type of strength – just this or that muscle – but lacking the integrity to distribute the work and utilize the power of the whole body.

In either case, you feel stiff and cannot quickly and easily adapt physical challenges – i.e. if you trip you will probably fall.  If you are more supple and flexible, you will be able to distribute the work readily, recover your center of gravity and not fall down.  You are more nimble and agile. 

Even more important than physical flexibility is the mental and emotional agility that comes with a regular yoga practice.  A good and consistent yoga practice counteracts mental rigidity and develops a quality of tolerance and spaciousness that makes you a pleasure to be with! 

Would you rather be a judgmental, rigid curmudgeon or a nimble, open-minded explorer of life?

Illumining the Fullness of Yoga

I’d like to use this blog to illumine some aspects of yoga.  I have observed that there are many misconceptions about yoga in the popular culture, so I will address some of these common misunderstandings.   You can call it “Debunking the Myths About Yoga”.  Here we go with the first myth.

Yoga Myth #1 – You (do not) have to be flexible to do yoga!

I’ve heard so many people say, “I’m not flexible enough to do yoga!”  Can you breathe?  Can you move your body even a little bit?  Then, apparently rigor mortis has NOT set in and you ARE ‘flexible’ enough to do yoga.  

If you are stiff or creaky, yoga will limber you up.  But, if you are one of those self-proclaimed ‘inflexible’ people, do not put yourself in one of those strong classes designed for young people.  Find a more gentle class, a beginners class, or better yet, work privately with a skillful and experienced instructor.  Gradually - without much drama or pain – you will become more supple   And, you will likely forstall rigor mortis!