yoga – Page 2 – 2nd Avenue

I totally cheat at yoga

This article about being a Yoga sinner from Recovering Yogi really stuck a cord with me. The author/yoga teacher suggests doing yoga poses while watching trashy TV (Millionaire Matchmaker, to be precise) and her student responds: ”Doesn’t that kind of go against the idea of yoga?”

I think the idea of yoga depends a lot on the motivation behind it.

Some people practice yoga almost purely for physical reasons, some find spiritual solace or emotional well-being. Some just like the chance to lay still in relaxation at the end of a class without anyone poking them. These motivations vary greatly, can change frequently, and certainly affect how students practice.

For example: I generally like tuning into my breathing, letting my brain quiet, and connecting with my body during a yoga practice. Recently, however, I’ve been feeling off and haven’t been comfortable dwelling in my own head. A quiet meditative yoga practice will not work for me right now – I need something to get me out of my thoughts. So I’ve been ‘cheating’ and doing gentle yin postures at home while listening to Vinyl Cafe podcasts.

I’m getting the physical benefits of stretching and relaxing my muscles, but instead of coming into a meditative state (which probably wouldn’t happen right now anyway), I get to escape into the Vinyl Cafe world and laugh hysterically as Stuart recounts Dave’s adventures taking care of six dogs. I suppose I could even call it laughter yoga 😉

‘Cheating’ and being comfortable in my yoga practice is far more important than trying to force myself into something that isn’t going to work.

A dear friend gave me an awesome magnet a while back (shown on the side of our fridge above) that says “I totally cheat at yoga.” It reminds me to wholeheartedly embrace that idea and ensure my practice suits whatever motivation is getting me onto the mat in the first place!

Tell me what you want…

Laura & Holly back-to-back — Laura with fellow yoga teacher Holly

I’ve had the privilege of teaching a few private yoga classes recently and I’m amazed how different it is teaching group and individual yoga sessions. A private yoga session is all about that student and their unique needs, which means I shape my teaching style much more to their preferences.

At first, I had a strong desire to fill the space with words and interact with the solo student all the time… but then it hit me that teaching that way is not going to work for everyone on every day. In fact, I wouldn’t respond well to constant attention from a teacher – I’d start to feel anxious and worried that my every move was being watched and possibly judged. I also sometimes want a really calm, chilled out practice and other times want something more energetic and invigorating.

So I thought about the questions I’d want a yoga teacher to ask me in a one-on-one session:

What kind of practice are you looking for?

Do you want to do more poses with shorter holds? Or fewer poses with longer holds?
Is the purpose to energize you? Or relax you? Or both!

Are there any particular areas you want to focus on? Or postures that really resonate with you?

Any areas that are particularly sensitive or need a different kind of attention?

What level of hands-on are you comfortable with?

Can I gently adjust you and apply a bit of pressure to settle you in poses? Or is verbal guidance better?
Are there any joints or areas you’re nurturing that shouldn’t be adjusted?

How much or how little instruction/guidance do you want?

Should I be quiet as much as possible? Or do you prefer reminders about breathing, relaxing, etc. and suggestions for deepening the pose or lessening the intensity?
Do you prefer a guided relaxation or quiet savasana at the end of the practice?

Now I ask private students for input on how they want to be taught. That’s one of the most amazing parts of solo yoga sessions – students can get precisely what they want and need!

If you’re lucky enough to get one-on-one yoga instruction, think about what you want to get out of that practice beforehand and odds are good that the teacher will be able to deliver.

In the immortal words of the Spice Girls, “Tell me what you want; what you really, really, want!”

Updated mellow music list

A few new mellow tunes that I’ve added into the rotation. Take a look at the Listen page for a full list of songs that are great for a yoga practice and at the Meditate page for meditation music I recommend. Click on the iTunes button to purchase a specific song.

Holding a Heart by Girl Named Toby
Long Time Sun by Snatam Kaur
Never Ending Road (Amhrán Duit) by Loreena McKennitt
Where are you Going? by Dave Matthews Band

Winter songs

Music that captures the seasonal spirit and works as a soundtrack to a yoga practice. Take a look at the Listen page for a full list of songs that are great for a yoga practice and at the Meditate page for meditation music I recommend. Click on the iTunes button to purchase a specific song.

In the Morning by Jack Johnson
Maybe Next Year (X-Mas Song) by Meiko
Misteltoe by Colbie Callait
River by Joni Mitchell
Song for a Winter’s Night by Sarah McLachlan
Winter Song by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson

Mellow tunes for practicing yoga

Take a look at the Listen page for a full list of songs that are great for a yoga practice and at the Meditate page for meditation music I recommend. Click on the iTunes button to purchase a specific song.

Aad Guray by Deva Premal
Awake My Soul by Mumford and Sons
Costa Rica (Acoustic Version) by Vince Vaccaro
Full of Grace by Sarah McLachlan
Hide & Seek 2 by Imogen Heap
Homeless by Paul Simon (with Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
Into the West by Howard Shore & Annie Lennox
Keep Breathing by Ingrid Michaelson
Lonely by The Boom Booms
Lost by Anouk
She’s Only Happy In the Sun by Ben Harper
Song for Leaving by Brett Dennen
Till Kingdom Come by Coldplay
Tu Es Belle by Toby
You’ll Go Far by Jenn Grant