Megan
Delano
Midterm: Vinyasa Yoga
For about three years now I have
practiced yoga that focuses on breath work and meditation. I attended classes
to clear my mind and really be in touch with my body. I was not aware of much
of the background of yogic practices but found it relaxing and helpful to
relieve stress. All of the classes I have taken focused on static poses in
relaxing settings that usually included calming music and dim lighting. I had
never experienced, never mind be aware of, any other time of yoga that there
was until I began this class.
Because of this class I have really began looking into yoga
practices with different focuses or purposes. I found myself really interested
in Vinyasa yoga and the idea that the poses could be turned into movements. After
looking into literature about Vinyasa yoga I was still left wondering what the
purpose and history behind Vynasa yoga really was. I discovered that the word
Vinyasa is loosely translated to “breath synchronized movement.” I liked the
idea that all the movements were intertwined by breath in a way that almost
creates a dance. Another key factor in Vinyasa yoga is bandha. This is a focus on muscle contracting or locking that sends
out energy throughout the body and ties it together with the synchronized
motion of breath. I was so used to yoga that focused on postures and taking
moments to acknowledge what was going on throughout the body.
I was excited more than anything to expand my knowledge of
yoga by actually going out and trying something new. For this project I decided to go to Karma
yoga in Harvard Square. I chose this studio because of its location and also
the good reviews I had heard from others.
I began my search by looking up the classes that each studio had to
offer. The classes were listed for all levels and I did not think that I would
have any trouble jumping into the class. I noticed that some of the classes
were strictly for beginners but I was not sure how different a beginner class
would be from one that was entitled for “all levels”. I assumed I could blend in with the rest of
the class and easily fall into the movements. Little did I know that these
movements were not only stretching, but actually involved a good amount of
muscle that I quickly discovered I was lacking.
The instructor was a welcoming woman
who jumped right into things as soon as she got in the room. She was full of
energy and drive to instruct the class. She has been practicing yoga for over
15 years and was certified in Hatha yoga in 2004. She soon after began training
in Anusara. I learned that Anusara is a type of Hatha yoga that can be translated
to “flowing with grace” or “flowing with nature.” The instructor of the class
began by introducing herself and making sure she knew everyone’s names in the
class. Of course she did not know my friend’s that had come with me because we
were the only new people in the class or mine. Before getting into the practice,
she explained to us how each year her teacher gives her a new focus for her
classes throughout a year. This year the focus had been igniting something
within whether it was little things as falling deeper into a pose or striving
for a big goal you that you have always wanted to reach. This introduction
really interested me because I began to think about why each person in the room
was sitting in that yoga class. Were they there for exercise? Were they there
for a clear mind? Or were they there because they were doing a research project
like me?
The class began with a meditation
after the introduction. I attempted to clear my mind of any judgments or
assumptions I had of the practice. I also wanted to clear my mind of my
assumptions of the other people in class. I did not want to stress about being
one of the only new people in the class. I also did not want to stress about comparing
this class to the traditional yoga we have learned about. I wanted to
experience it before I analyzed it. I began focusing on breathing and kept in
mind the idea of ignition. We rose up
into downward dog and were instructed to really stretch out while we were in
the pose. I realized in that moment that I did not stretch much before the
class but that normally was not an issue. In retrospect I definitely regret my
lack of stretching. The instructor
explained the downward dog would be our “resting position.” This was definitely
new to me because I was used to resting poses such as child’s pose. I learned quickly that child’s pose was not
taught, or allowed, in this instructor’s class, which made me quite nervous. I
dreaded down ward facing dog for the entire session. When I researched more
about this pose, I found it has mixed uses. Yoga Journal states that it is used
to “energize the body.” But also it is used to “calm the brain.” I found this
ironic because of the fact that it was considered a “resting pose” in class yet
for me, it was the farthest thing from calm.
My lack of fitness was apparent as we pushed through poses
that involved little support from our arms or legs and forced us to hold
ourselves up by our core. The stretches
were not just reaching towards the sky; however, they seemed to be focused on
really pushing one’s boundaries of strength and balance. I began to feel that I
was not experiencing the flow and movement of the practice but rather an
intense workout that I was not physically or mentally prepared for. I was
sweating and my limbs were occasionally shaking. All that I could think of was
how badly I wanted to fall into child’s pose and take a relaxing breath. I
constantly found myself looking at the small digital clock that was on a table
in the corner of the room. I was counting down the seconds until the class was
over and I could take a break. My focus on the time took away from what I was
ever supposed to get out of the class. During one of the pigeon poses, we were
told to curl our toes under and lift through our thighs so that we were not
resting on the ground. I thought I was doing it well and holding myself up but
the instructor really wanted to push me. She put her ankles on either side of
my back leg that was stretched out and pulled my hipbones higher. I felt the
muscles in between my legs stretch more than I have ever felt before. It was
not a good feeling but actually slightly unbearable. This left no room or mood
for me to be in touch with my own mind. I was far from any form of meditation.
With minutes left of the class we finally laid down and
focused on our breath. The instructor brought back the idea of igniting
something within and I connected that with the intense sensations I felt
throughout the class. I could not wait to get my things and walk off the class.
As soon as I got outside my feelings changed. I felt refreshed and wanted to
get more of the class. I did not ever think I could feel that way in the moment
but the way I felt afterward changed my idea of the class. I realized I would
attend another Vinyasa yoga class if I were looking to get a workout. However,
that is all I really got out of the class. The idea of igniting something stuck
with me however it made me more interested in working out than in meditation.
At one point during the class the instructor mentioned,
“Really lift you’re hips up and put your ass in the air. Let’s be honest, we
are all here to get great asses.” I have not stopped thinking about this quote
since I left that class. Before taking Yoga Theory, Culture, and Practice, I
would have thought nothing of this comment. However, after delving into the
differences in yoga practices around the world and throughout time, I have
thought about was that class meant to most of the people in it. The tradition
and roots of yoga seemed to be taken away from the original Vinyasa philosophy
when the importance of a nice body image replaced it. The idea of pushing the
body’s limitations is still apparent in western practices. The goals seem to be
different. Of course this is a broad assumption, but I did not feel the
connection to anything spiritual during Vinyasa yoga. This type of yoga does cover a very wide range
of practices in yoga. Most of the style depends on the teacher of the class and
what they choose to instruct.
Resources
Yoga journal. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/491
Pizer, Anne. (August 21, 2011).
Vinyasa-Yoga, Flow Yoga . Retrieved (2012, February) from http://yoga.about.com/od/typesofyoga/a/vinyasa.htm
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