Home Practice

            Home Practice

            Home yoga practice seemed like an ugly thought to me. I enjoyed being amongst people everyday and having the security of professional instruction. Now not having ready access to a studio everyday, as I did for ten month to pursue my practice has forced me to reexamine the concept.

            My new teacher told me it was quality, not quantity as I found my new home studio. I can only get there twice a week, though with bull dog determination I begged for more. She laughed. It hit my American sized ego hard. I want the flat belly and able to do King of the Dancer’s Pose with a dancer’s grace and of course “now, now, now” (American attitude).

 But like anything you learn if you do not practice in life what you practice in the class room, is it really worth the effort? If you really want to learn yoga you have to do this on your own two feet, incorporating yoga into everyday life.

            My unique issue is that I am a visual learner. I have a hard time visualizing without actually seeing the pose, aside from the scoliosis curve in my back. My body does not “know” natural alignment. Teachers are worth their weight in gold but how do you work out these issues in a home practice? I have been tackling this lately.

            I am blessed to have a full basement devoted to exercise and yoga. I set up my own space. I practice each day fighting with my little four month old llapso poodle, Belle. To combat my own issues I have placed mirrors in my room. Mirrors help me see what I cannot feel in my body. As far as postures go, I have diagrams of all poses learned in class as a mental reminder of what I am doing. For myself I bought a book on yoga anatomy and photocopy the pages and put them on the walls. It helps me remember sequences too.

            As a person who wishes to be a teacher I would encourage my students to make yoga an everyday part of your life. Your teacher can lead you to water but you have to drink. Fortunately I have a teacher who is interested in truly helping me balance.

 Yoga is for everyone, everyday and for all the other things we do for ourselves to comfort (pick your vice), it is the best and the healthiest. You destroy only illusion and grow.

            I have my challenges with my back and learning style but I will not ever let that stop me. No person should dictate your dreams and you should never give them that power. Yoga is for the individual. There is no such thing as a “yoga type”. We have stereotyped people in society and that includes yoga. I am not the stereotype and I never wish to be.  Let your practice be about healing and growth and if you find it about quantity and competition, it might be time to reexamine. I am happy I have had to reexamine and find a new path, my path.