Yoga is more than just a “workout.” Anyone who has been practicing for a while can tell you that. But in addition to yoga being a tool for self discovery and/or mental, emotional and spiritual growth, yoga is a “workout.” If you have ever had beads of sweat drip on the mat as you hold your focus in downward dog or your hamstrings sing as you fold into wide angled forward fold, than you have had direct experience of the physicality of yoga. Face it, we are all physical. We are sensual beings with physical needs. We were born into this world with bodies. Almost all of us have bodies with some sort of limitation but nontheless we are still physical beings. Yoga is a way of healing, listening, accepting, and transforming our bodies. Practicing yoga is a way to treat our body as a temple in this lifetime. It is appropriate for everyone (with the proper teacher and modifications). Yoga is for the person who uses a wheelchair and the most naturally gifted athlete.
When I first started yoga, I was drawn to it for the physicality and how great my body felt from a consistent practice. I am not at all embarrased to say that yoga was a “workout” to me. I was 30 years old and in great physical shape. Yoga was a workout that completely shattered any previous misconceptions I had about it being easy, slow or boring. Yoga showed up as a powerful and challenging way to exercise. It's ability to wake up every muscle and cell in my body blew me away. It was different than any other form of exercise I had ever experienced. I felt as high after a yoga class as I did after a five mile run or an intense step aerobic class. I recognized that my body was not getting the wear and tear from yoga as from other forms of exercise. As a matter of fact, my body was slowly getting stronger and more supple while familiar aches and pains that I felt in my knees when I would run were slowly fading away.
For the immediate physical benefits of yoga and for how I felt and looked, I was hooked. Eventually I would come to do yoga for other reasons as well. I would return back to my yoga mat over and over again because of the mental and emotional benefits. I would return to my yoga mat for the healing that was taking place underneath. I would return to yoga for stillness, the lessons in self-compassion and self acceptance and the connection I felt to something greater than myself.
When I first started yoga, I was drawn to it for the physicality and how great my body felt from a consistent practice. I am not at all embarrased to say that yoga was a “workout” to me. I was 30 years old and in great physical shape. Yoga was a workout that completely shattered any previous misconceptions I had about it being easy, slow or boring. Yoga showed up as a powerful and challenging way to exercise. It's ability to wake up every muscle and cell in my body blew me away. It was different than any other form of exercise I had ever experienced. I felt as high after a yoga class as I did after a five mile run or an intense step aerobic class. I recognized that my body was not getting the wear and tear from yoga as from other forms of exercise. As a matter of fact, my body was slowly getting stronger and more supple while familiar aches and pains that I felt in my knees when I would run were slowly fading away.
For the immediate physical benefits of yoga and for how I felt and looked, I was hooked. Eventually I would come to do yoga for other reasons as well. I would return back to my yoga mat over and over again because of the mental and emotional benefits. I would return to my yoga mat for the healing that was taking place underneath. I would return to yoga for stillness, the lessons in self-compassion and self acceptance and the connection I felt to something greater than myself.
In our stressed out and fast paced society, when most people check out yoga for the first time it is more likely for the physical benefits than for the spiritual benefits. This makes complete sense. It is difficult to wrap your mind around the spiritual connection that yoga can foster if you have never even tried it.
Why wouldn't someone begin yoga for the physical benefits? There is so much research and press on this. Yoga has been touted as a tool to heal everything from stress, depression and eating disorders to arthritis, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Yoga is tried and true. It has been around for thousands of years. My personal opinion is that there is absolutely nothing suspect or shallow about being attracted to the physical benefits of yoga. Personally I love the physcial benefits of yoga. I want to reap them as long as I can. When my students are upside down in shoulderstand posture, I often ask them to imagine themselves in this pose in their 70's and 80's and 90's. With ease. With gratitude. Why not? In the long run, can the body and spirit be separated?
In the beginning I came to yoga looking for a good workout. Today yoga is still my good workout. I also do other forms of physical exercise such as run 3 to 4 miles a couple times of week, hike and some weights with a personal trainer. But yoga is still a very complete and satisfying workout that I don't intend on giving up any time soon. In my twelve years of practicing yoga I have not gotten bored. I cannot say this about my relationship with running, the treadmill or the gym. I have had to change my yoga practice over the years to support whatever changes my body is experiencing. I practiced yoga very differently when I am recovering from the flu, tired or stressed out than when I am not any of those things. These days, I gravitate to vigorous yoga and I am not a very easy person to be around if I do not get this in at least three to four times per week. Here's the truth- my yoga practice is my workout, my stress reliever, my muscle toner, my sanity keeper, my therapist and my church.
Samadhi Yoga Teachers Talk About Their Very Different Yoga Practices
The following is a collection of interviews with popular and inspiring yoga teachers from my studio. Each one practices yoga on a regular basis. Each one has a deep yoga practice but not necessarily with an emphasis on power. Some practice hard and some practice soft. Some do both. I thought it would be interesting to peek into their personal yoga practice and discern how important and time consuming the practice is to them as a physical workout and if they do any other forms of exercise on a regular basis. I also asked them about diet and weight management, injuries and healing.
Jude Kochman ( Teaches Power, All Levels and Restorative Yoga. She is also an instructor in our 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program)
Q. How often do you practice yoga?
A. I practice yoga five to six days a week. Sometimes I practice in classes and sometimes I practice at home. I like to start my mornings at home with a short practice but I also take classes at studios in the evenings if I am not teaching.
Q. What type of yoga do you practice?
A. I tend to lean towards an All Levels style of practice than Power. I find that I can make an All Levels meet most of my needs, whether I need a stronger or more gentle practice. There is just more room for variance in an All Levels style of yoga. In the summer months, I would say that my yoga is more gentle focusing on flexibility and breath. This could be because I am employed in a very high stress industry and I do a lot of repetitive motion activities outside of work such as cycling, running, and hiking. My body and mind require something guiding me towards introspection, softening and compassion rather than power.
Q. Is meditation or breathwork a part of your practice?
A. Breathwork is a big part. Meditation is something I am trying to do more of. I love breathwork and the the peace it gives. I still struggle with meditation and can't seem to quiet the chatter and just sit. I think I allow my life to be too frenetic which then translates into there is too much to do, think about, etc. and meditation becomes another thing I should do but don't.
Q. Does your body get injured practicing yoga?
A. Rarely but when it does, it usually because I am not practicing with mindfulness. It's all albout listening without ego to the body and respond in an appropriate fashion. If I do that, then I don't hurt myself. When I am injured, I simply back off, take care to avoid.
Q. Do you have any other type of regular exercise that you do in addition to yoga?
A. Yes, absolutely. I cycle, run, hike, use cardio machines and cross country ski. I run 3 to 4 times a week for anywhere from 3 to 5 miles. I cycle at least twice a week with distances that vary from 20-60 miles. Hiking is whenever and wherever possible. The rest are done during the winter months when riding is out and running is lessened.
Q. Why do you do other forms of exercise?
A. I love the endorphin rush of running, the distance one can go on a bike, the beauty of the mountains and the woods. I thoroughly enjoy the feeling of my body in motion and the strength that I gain from it. The outdoors is my foundation and in nature I find my bliss. The combination of movement and environment are the best gifts I can give myself.
Q. Does yoga help you maintain a health body weight?
A. I think so. While I don't consider weight to be a big issue at this stage of my life, I do like to feel fit and I know that extra pounds are are evident in my running and riding capacity and efficacy so I try to keep them at bay. What I do find that yoga works best for is keeping me toned. I don't lift weights other than my own body weight in various yoga postures and yet my arm and back definition is retained at a very high level.
Q. Has your yoga practice gotten more physical or less physical since you first started yoga?
A. Probably my yoga is less power oriented but not necessarily less physical. I still feet that there is a huge physical element to my yoga. It just takes a less intense form. I think I've slowed down much of my practice and look to feel each pose more deeply than my early practice evidenced. The philosophical and spiritual side of my practice has difintely grown over time as I gotten deeper into the spaces within myself.
Q. How does yoga support your other physical activities?
A. Yoga is the only reason I am running again. Having injured myself very badly three years ago, I was told by five separate doctors that I'd never run again. As a marathon runner, running was my love and my passion. To be told I could never run again gave heartbreak new meaning. For two years, I practiced yoga and tried to accept the changes in my mind and body. Yoga gave me the mental strength to keep going and the recupreative power to heal in a variety of ways.
Q. How do you eat to support your yoga?
A. I am a vegetarian, so I eat pretty low on the food chain. This decision had been made based on environmentalism and the treatment of animals and my personal tastes. My diet has not changed significantly due to yoga but I do try to eat a lot more slowly and mindfully. If I am going to break with healthy eating, say indulge in that bowl of ice cream or cookie, I try to do so knowingly and with enjoyment. I don't always accomplish it but I aim toward a very holistic and healthy eating pattern.
Q. Tell me anything else I have left out about yoga as a physical practice for you.
A. Healing. I think there is a huge space for healing within yoga on a physical level as well. There are time we torque a body part and repeatedly reinjure. Yoga can be used to alleviate the pain, strengthen the surrounding areas and even fix that which is hurt. Given time and practice, I think yoga can reduce or eliminate all sort of sport and nonsport related injuries. Taking a slow and gentle approach is the way to go for me where healing is concerned.
Q. Is yoga more than just the physical for you?
A. Very much more than physical. It is a union. It allows me the time for introspection, for seeing things about myself, my reaction, my feelings that I would likely not slow down long enough to view. It is a safety net in a crazed world, a place of safety and self acceptance. Yoga is a gift.
Dawn Greenfield (Samadhi Yoga Studio of Manchester Manager. Teaches All Levels Yoga alot!!)
Q. How often do you practice yoga?
A. My yoga begins every day in varied ways. As soon as I wake up, am still in bed, eyes are not even open and I begin dhirga breath and ujjayi. My mind begins to race into my days to do's and I search for my calm center.
I stand up to stretch, if the weather permits I step outside heading to the light. I wnat to feel the sun on my body as I begin spinal movements and lengthen my limbs.
I will come to my cushion and meditate 5 to 15 minutes.
I read something positive; Danna Faulds poetry, Women on Fire's Aspirations, Louise Hay's affirmations. This sets the tone for my day and encouragies me to be supportive to others.
Honestly I am not practicing yoga at Samadhi as much as I'd like right now. I strive for a few classes at the studio each week. I enjoy a variety of classes. I lvoe to sweat, feel my muscles stretch and engage. My home doesn't have the space fom my personal free style flow than in privacy takes me way off my mat, sometimes into dance and climbing the walls. My intention is to schedule less things into my day and enjoy more. With kids, however, thats not easy.
Q. When did you start practicing yoga?
A. I started practicing yoga about six years ago. At that time, I was a gym rat. I was there at ridiculous hours, for long hours and had hit a plateau. I was BORED! I was strong and flexible but with yoga I noticed new toned shape to my body without expecting it at all. I was trilled to physically challenge myself in a whole new way. I had an intense power practice about five days a week. Then i met Yoganand. He blew the doors wide open! Take a strong flexible body and add a lot of breathwork and you've got a completely changed person and practice. I still reap the benefits of my practice but in differen ways all the time, physically, emotionally, energetically, mentally and spritually. On and off the may, yog is in each breath and in each situation if I'm tuned in. It's a practice and it's not always smooth sailing. Especially when I am angry or stressed out. However my practice does bring me back literally breath by breath.
Q. Has your practice gotten more or less physical? Do you have any injuries?
A. My practice is less physical at this time. However like my weight, my moods and even the seasons it ebbs and flows. My goal is to be kind to my entire system. Appreciate everything my body can do. As I age and become injured I am more limited and have to modify. That can really piss me off! I want to rest in crow for more and more breaths but my wrists will ache later.
Since I have chosen to ignore the signs and play in plank and side plank, my wrist injury has migrated to my elbow and just this week into my left shoulder. That makes me mad! To simply move my arm for the first stretch of class hurts!
Q.Do you have other types of exercise that you do in addition to yoga?A. I adore walking, cycling, rock climbing, dancing, and running. Yoga breathing is so supportive through these activities and makes me feel stronger and more present. Stretching after these other things is like diving into a dark chocolate river and coming up for air to fresh strawberries at the shore. Yoga is so beneficial to recovery and respecting the activitiy afterwards. Being someone who feels quite flexible, I always enjoy the initial tightness these activities create.
Q. How do you eat to support your yoga?
A. My diet is constantly evolving. I was a vegetarian for years. A trip to China brought me back to the meat eating way of life. However, I do take it easy on the animal protein. I feel slow and sluggish sometimes. I love to eat with the seans and enjoy a variety of different cuisines. Indian, Mexican, Thai, and Sushi are my favorites. Right this moment I am looking forwar to tuna on sour dough (I am gluten intolerant) with a salad and fruit. I love coffee every morning and a piece of chocolate each day.
It has taken time. When I first came to yoga, I counted calories. I measured and documented each morsel of food and every glass of water. Every day I still worry that I am eating too little or too musch of this or that. It is a cycle that I battle with. I like to think I am balancining and honoring my body but I have eaten almost a whole bag of SmartPuffs or a box of chocolates in one day. My old disrespectful voices come into my head and they are lound and consuming taking up space rent free! However there is Samadhi and it's the light at the end of my tunnes when I need it the most.
Q. Is there anything else you want to say about your yoga?
A. I want to be mindful. I want to love myself and as a teacher I want you to love yourself. I want our childre to grow into teens that love themselves and each other. I want every person to walk into Samadhi, take a yoga class and walk out feeling less stress, less pressure, more in touch with what brings them joy. Breathing deeply and supporting the healthiest lifestyle they can personally imagine.
I don't know what else to add other than I came to yoga as a young woman who was ready for change and like it or not-I got it. It wasn't always pretty and it wasn't always easy but I am a better person everyday that I get on my mat. I am better to myself and I hope to everyone I meet. I cannot imagine my life without yoga. I have seen the other side of my life without and this yoga thing is so sweet! I am sticking to it until my last breath!
Bella Zubkov (Teaches Karma Yoga)
Q. How often do you practice yoga?
A. I practice 3 to 5 times per week usually for an hour and 1/2. The time vgaries depending on my work and my children's schedule but I prefer a morning practice when I have a choice. I prefer a power yoga practice because I enjoy the energy in the room and the level of physical work helps to keep me focused and steadies my mind. The physical practice allows fo me to practice meditation as well. I usually practice at a studio because there are too many distractions at home. But I really enjoy it when I can practice at home. I definitely do the ujjayi breathing throughout the practice. Focusing on the breath helps with meidtaion and prevents me from holding my breath in difficult postures.
I especially like a series of Sun Salutations. The movement is familiar and flows and there really is no need for thinking so my mind can be clear and the breath flows easily.
Q. When did you start practicing yoga?
A. I started practicing in early 2001. It was a challenge but every day I was able to do something new, go a little further and soon I was able to do some things that I never thought I would. I was able to focus better outside of yoga and better handle the ups and downs of a busy schedule, my busy medical practice and family life. I started eating better and healthier and I lost some weight. I became stronger and more fit. These changes continue to happen today although they are more subtle. I may go a little deeper in the postures or I may be able to get a little further in an arm balance but now the intervals between noticing these changes are longer. However, they are more rewarding.
Q. Do you do any other forms of exercise?
A. I do not.
Q. Does yoga help you maintain a health body weight?
A. Yes. I think that it provides a good calorie burning workout and also brings focus of what I put into my body.
Q. Has your yoga practice gotten more physical or less physical and why?
A. I would say it has stayed about the same. Although I can definitely do more and my stamina has improved. So if it has become more physical it is because of increased ability in stamina, focus and clearing my mind.
Q.If you do other physical activities how does your yoga practice support this?
A. My strength and flexibility allows me to go hiking, kayaking, travel to high altitudes and tolerate it better than I ever could before. I would not go on a long run or do another vigourous activity without a bit of training though. I was not a sedentary person prior to starting yoga. I would go to the gym and do step aerobics or a cardio machine or pilates several times per week but it did not result in the same legvel of fitness nor didi it have any of the other benefits of my yoga practice.
Q. How do you eat to support your yoga?
A. My diet has definitely changed. I eat a much healthier diet. I am not a vegetarian but eat lean proteins. I almost never fry or eat anything fried. I eat very little beef. I only eat whole grains and lots of vegetables. I limit sugar and eat little to no processed foods. I eat out a lot less and make a significant amount of the food I eat. I feel miserable if I stray from this type of eating. I do have treat and feel that when I was avoiding these I was not able to share in the food and the festivities. For example-a piece of cake at a birthday party. I guess I felt left out.
