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Do you think you're not flexible enough to do yoga? Are
you practicing yoga but looking for a deeper connection to your practice or a more targeted practice? Yoga is a 2,000-5,000 year old program (depending on who you ask) that is designed to bring wholeness and peace.
The main reasons to do yoga are to improve the health of your body and to cultivate peace of mind. Many people find
that by practicing the physical aspects of yoga and the breathwork regularly, they are stronger, more flexible, less
prone to injury and illness, less reactive, and generally calmer and more relaxed. The therapeutic effects
of yoga can be heightened by doing the practice mindfully and with the intention to address your specific needs. This
individualized approach is usually best accomplished through one-on-one contact with a trained and experienced yoga instructor
or yoga therapist. Yoga is a refreshing antidote to our hurried and stressful lifestyles, yet some yoga classes leave
beginners feeling hurried and stressed! Finding a practice that works for you could take some experimenting, but it
is well worth the time. Here are some common questions and the answers from my experience: Is Yoga religious? Although it has roots in the ancient Hindu tradition, Yoga is by no means a religion and people of multiple religious backgrounds practice and teach yoga. The philosophy of yoga might be seen as a moral code or a set of principles for living a peaceful life. Do I have to be flexible/athletic/in shape? No! Flexibility and athleticism are absolutely not requirements for doing yoga. In fact, yoga is a great physical practice for people who are not flexible or athletic or in shape. The essence of yoga is self-acceptance, and as such, the student of yoga is encouraged to “start where you are.” Yoga is therefore non-competitive and the teacher of yoga should encourage a non-judgemental attitude amongst the students. Are there different kinds of yoga? There are also many different styles for practicing yoga, from quiet and meditative to the more athletic. There
is really a yoga style to suit each person’s individual needs. I often tell people that if they tried a yoga class
and didn’t enjoy it, they should try a different one. My influences are Iyengar Yoga which emphasizes safe alignment; Kundalini Yoga,
which works with the nervous system and the energy body; and Kriya Yoga - the yoga of action. My understanding
of yoga philosophy is heavily influenced by Kriya yoga teachings. How do you teach yoga? My
style tends to be slower and more mindful, but with enough challenge to keep it fun! By staying present with
your body as you move, and noticing the sensations and emotions that arise, you are able to explore your inner landscape and
have a deeper and more healing experience in each session. I often use body-awareness techniques as part of my individual
work with clients. These techniques facilitate the release of emotional residue from the body and can also lead to increased
flexibility and ease in your body. When we work with yoga as an element of BodyMind Therapy, you will probably do
a lot less poses, but each pose will be more fully experienced and the many layers of the poses will be explored. Depending
on your specific needs on a given day, your practice might be strong and challenging or slow and relaxing. Can I get hurt (seriously, some of those poses look painful!)? Yoga is both a physical practice and a philosophy – if you chose to study the philosophy. One of the primary tenets of yoga philosophy is ahimsa, or non-harming. You are encouraged not to hurt others or yourself. As a facilitator, I promote self-care by giving lots of instructions about how to be in safe alignment. It is up to you to explore your motivations and choices about whether to push past your edge or stay within safe limits. In our culture we are enouraged to push and strive. This is not necessarily the best way to progress in your yoga practice. Oftentimes the key to peace, in body and mind, is learning to let go and accept what is. If I can't come to you for yoga, where can I go? Yoga is offered at health clubs, parks, community centers, yoga studios, schools
and even churches. While each setting has its advantages, it is really about what you are looking for. As a 'newbie' you might
be intimidated by yoga studios where everyone seems to know what they are doing, but believe me, they were newbies at one
point too! Some people find health club yoga too impersonal, or they want to address the deeper aspects of the practice.
Each yoga venue has its own flavor, and it might be good to spend a while exploring until you find a space and a teacher that
feels right for you. Many studios have 4-week "intro to yoga" classes that you can take and some have free
or donation-only classes. You can also ask about private instruction if the thought of joining a group class doesn’t
appeal to you. If you need a more therapeutic approach, you can look for a yoga therapist or find an instructor who had additional
training to work with whatever issue is troubling you. Talk with the person by phone if possible to see how they might
be able to help and to see if you can establish a rapport with that person. Any therapeutic process will be more successful
if you feel safe and comfortable with your practitioner. How can I study Yoga with you or come to you for BodyMind Therapy? I teach
at Galter Life Center (associated with Swedish Covenant Hospital) in North Park and at Bloom Yoga Studio in Lincoln Square.
I am also availabe for private yoga sessions or for BodyMind Therapy sessions which incorporate yoga, body-awareness and energetic
therapies, mindfulness and meditation for the treatment of stress, anxiety, depression and trauma. My class and workshop schedule is regularly updated with new yoga classes and workshops. For BodyMind Therapy or private yoga sessions, please call me at 773-531-8513 for
more information or to schedule an appointment. For classes at Galter or Bloom, you may contact those locations.
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