Set Your Intention - Before You Hit A Studio

           

           Yoga is for everyone but not ever style. You can always make time for yoga. You just have to find what works best for your life and your intention.

            I have tried DVD’S at home which I dislike. I feel better being around a real life flesh and blood teacher that can offer interactive guidance and direction. DVD’s for beginners always struck me as silly because how can you look at the television screen when you attempting a posture? Proper alignment for your body almost instantly goes out the window.

 I have spent time at a studio for ten months trying to squeeze out the magical triune of mind, body, soul, the very definition of yoga. It was more a place for exercise through postures, Ohms were far and few between. My friend once called it “Abercrombie and Fitch” yoga. If you want to bump into a rich lawyer to date and marry that might have been the place to go.  

            When you are searching for what you want, set your intention before you start your journey into the land of yoga studios. Do you want just exercise, meditation, relaxation or a little bit of everything? If you are happy at a place it does not mean you should not try new things anyways, primarily because you can only grow.  Trying a lot of places before you settle into one studio can only benefit and inform your decision for longer lasting happiness. A home studio should be home because that is where the heart is, not the closest studio.

My definition of a home studio is where you like the instruction, trust and respect your teachers and feel that they are trying to nurture you and your intention. You should not have to conform to a teacher. Teachers are there to help you grow for yourself.

            If you are new to yoga it is very easy to hit your first studio and think it is the end all, but try others because you have no idea what a “yoga experience” can be until you do.

            I have met a lot of people who happily go to gyms and study from teachers learning postures for exercise. I went to my first studio for ten months. I thought it was the end all.  I know for myself I always felt like I was missing out on something. It was the spiritual. There was only one teacher who really delved into that and unfortunately she was there only for two classes out of the whole week.

My advice, make sure you use your intuition and listen to your heart as it opens during your practice. You will know where you belong and if a place is not right, move on.