Life is good

At least that's the prevailing philosophy of my new yoga practice, Anusara Yoga. I tried out a free class last night at a studio not too far from my house and I liked it a lot. I've had a hard time finding a good yoga teacher around here. The last one I tried was supposed to be teaching a meditative style of yoga but was bent (so to speak) on introducing power yoga into the mix. Plus I didn't sense a lot of spiritual depth. Oh yeah and I hurt myself, too, so I never went back.

The instructor last night was definitely the cheeriest yoga teacher I've encountered, but I could tell that she was also very knowledgeable about the yoga itself and the body, explained things well, coached well, and brought a rather blissful spiritual presence, which I gather comes from the Anusara philosophy. I told her I'm recovering from a lower back injury and she remembered and made suggestions to me for modifications to poses. On the other hand, in her enthusiasm she did lead the whole (beginner level) class into a more advanced pose that did not feel good on my back so I stopped. I think you always have to watch out for yourself and listen to your own body. I do think that this yoga style's philosophy seems particularly conducive to respecting limits and not imposing rigidly defined postures. The website says this about the methodology for Anusara teachers:

They do not try to "fix" or "correct" students' alignment. Instead, they are dedicated to serving each student and helping them unveil their innate goodness, worthiness, and Supreme nature. Furthermore, Anusara Yoga teachers are committed to helping build and empower each student's self-esteem, while inspiring light-heartedness, playfulness, and joyful creativity within the yoga practice.

Sounds blissful to me.

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I'm off to Chicago, or thereabouts, for a couple of day with clients. Back Friday...

Comments

[Kurt]

Have a safe, and blissful trip

[Mary]

Leslee, you've coaxed me out of lurkerdom with this post. I have had to temporarily absent myself from yoga classes due to a flare up of a lower back injury, which I triggered off (yes, you've guessed) in an over-ambitious yoga class. And I do miss it - I feel as if my body is gradually closing down without the regular classes.

I think what you say about taking responsibility for one's own welfare in these classes is so important. However, good or proficient the teacher, they do not know my body and its injuries the way I do, And I have to fight my natural tendency to want to be the star pupil and please the authority figure by going further than I know is right for me. Kudos to you for staying with yourself and your body in this instance. And what a wonderful "mission statement" that is.

Good luck in Chicago. By the way, I enjoy your periodic references to astrology - I am a devotee as well.

[Lorianne]

Safe travel to & from the Windy City. I recently (several weeks ago) started a combination yoga/pilates class. I really like the instructor...but man, the pilates part is surprisingly rigorous. Although we do the poses slowly, I've broken into a serious sweat during both sessions. Who would have known that you could get sweaty standing still???

[patry Francis]

I like the Anusara philosophy of divine alignment, though I've been physically lazy about any kind of practice lately.

[leslee]

Thanks, Kurt. I wouldn't call it blissful (particularly 2 hrs. sitting on the tarmac in Chicago last night) but the trip went fine!

Mary: I hear you on trying to please the teacher - I do that, too. I was particularly careful because my back injury has caused me enough grief, a literal pain in the butt, that it's always on my mind. When it's no longer bothering me then I'll need to remember to continue to be mindful.

Lorianne: I haven't taken pilates but I've heard it's pretty rigorous. And I know that I've gotten sweaty doing yoga, too. I guess that's because it's like weight lifting - only using your own weight.

Patry: I haven't had a practice in years, though I usually do some yoga stretching every night or else I start getting stiff. I've been feeling ready to get back into a more regular practice though lately. The fact that this Anusara seems fun and playful makes it easier!