Recently I've had several clients, who know about my yoga practice, email the link to the recent New York Times article entitled How Yoga can Wreck Your Body. I appreciate their concern and, to be honest, I have in the past hurt myself doing yoga.
Those of you who know me may know that: 1)this new year I have resolved to do some kind of yoga, at least once a day, for 365 days, and 2) I hate that yoga has become a fitness trend.
The New York Times article brings up some really valid points, chief among them; 'the number of Americans doing yoga has risen from about 4 million in 2001 to what some estimate to be as many as 20 million in 2011 — means that there is now an abundance of studios where many teachers lack the deeper training necessary to recognize when students are headed toward injury.'
So, why the huge increase in yoga participation? I think people are attracted to the novelty, the flexibility, the challenge, the overwhelming desire for stillness in their minds, so they push themselves into positions that their bodies may not be ready for...that's what I did.
When I learned about yoga, I first learned about breathing. The stillness of mind, unity of body and breath, the unity of body and the Universe. Somewhere over the past couple of decades (almost) I'd gotten away from that and, instead of coming back to my breath, I pushed...and got hurt.
If you are contemplating starting a yoga program, the New York Times article is worth reading, but don't let it frighten you away from practice. Instead, find someone who cherishes the practice itself to learn from, and then find the stillness in breath and in your own heart.
Yoga, if done responsibly can be a beautiful and enriching addition to your life, but please don't treat it as a fitness trend.
Peace and happiness,
Jennie
No comments:
Post a Comment