In Conclusion...

I started yoga this September with an open mind.  At the very least I was going to be able to socialize with people, get a good workout, and allow myself some time to quiet down my mind.  The combination of learning about the origins of yoga in Professor Greene's class at Stockton and the actual practice of it at different studios throughout South Jersey has been an interesting adventure.  

One of the questions I sought to answer when starting my yoga experiment was whether it was just an exercise. In one of my journals I wrote about this:

"Yoga is definitely framed as more than just an exercise.  The whole aspect of mindfulness on the senses makes it different than many other exercises.  For me I'm still trying to make sense of yoga but it almost feels like a dance class where everyone is dancing by themselves. What I mean is that, like dance, yoga allows people to express themselves through movement. It really is not that much different.  Unlike dancing to music you just do poses to the sound of the instructors voice.  In this way it is more introspective than dancing with someone else."  

I still find this notion to be true. Whether it be getting in touch with your spirituality, or just expressing yourself through movement, I feel like yoga is unique in this sense.The practice of meditation seemed to go hand in hand with the physical aspect of the practice; As I allowed myself to look at my thoughts and meditate mindfully, I also was able to see the stress in my body I had been ignoring.

 Another aspect of yoga that I have grown to like is the ritualistic aspect of the practice.  While each studio has its own vibe, I have found that there is a ritualistic aspect to each.  Whether it be candles, incense, music, heat, or dim lights, the environment is always set to induce a sense of introspection and relaxation.

I would still be reluctant to classify yoga as a religion, however, because I have not noticed two very characteristic things at any of my yoga practices that are normally associated with yoga: Tenets relating to morality, or any explanations of the origins of life or existence of an afterlife.

I feel that the yoga life-style and culture has a lot to do with the process of slowing down the mind and body and being introspective.  It involves becoming more connected: with ourselves, our peers, and our environment.

As opposed to being counter culture, I feel that yoga is actually pop culture now.  Yoga 9, for instance, welcomes all sorts of people and even advertises as much.  Back when yoga was considered a counter-culture people just didn't know that much about yoga.  Classes were not on corners of popular streets such is the case for Yoga 9.  I think the effect Yoga has had on the West has been positive.  I believe in the importance of slowing down the mind and being mindful and yoga is an excellent method for doing this.  Yoga has definitely gone through a lot of changes and adaptions over the generations but so does every tradition.  I don't think these changes are inherently bad unless they are making untrue claims.  If they are just marketed as ways to connect with the body, breath, and self through physical movements, then I think that yoga can be a good thing in pop culture.

The last part about yoga that I have found most profound is the sense of community that it provides. Every class I go to I feel welcomed. Humans are social creatures so it is natural that something like yoga that puts such a big emphasis on community and acceptance of alternative beliefs would become so popular.  I will likely continue to try different types of yoga in the future.  My original goal of becoming more physically and mentally healthy was achieved, however I also found an activity where I can quiet my mind and get in tune with my body and spirit.  

Is Yoga a Religion?

The last few months experimenting with yoga have been a great experience; However, I still am unsure whether I would classify yoga as a religion.  It certainly has many of the characteristics of a religion: It's a group of organized individuals performing rituals, and a strong focus on spirituality.  Just like any religion there are many different "sects" or types of practices.

I would still be reluctant to classify yoga as a religion, however, because I have not noticed two very characteristic things at any of my yoga practices that are normally associated with yoga: Tenets relating to morality, or any explanations of the origins of life or existence of an afterlife.

As we learned in class, yoga has changed a lot over the years; From the East, over to the west, yoga has lost many characteristics and gained many other ones.  It has lost its focus on spirituality and gained more of an emphasis on the body.  While all religions change over time and take on new applications, they usually remain somewhat intact because of some sort of scripture.  Because a lack of this sort of dogma, yoga has been free to transform itself.

Yoga as Meditation

Today at practice I tried to focus on the meditative aspects of the practice. I went to a studio in Cherry Hill called Yoga for living.  The type of yoga was called Svaroopa yoga which I had never heard of before. Today I was feeling very exhausted from finals so my body was aching.  While I went through the practice and the mindful meditation of breathing, I realized how much tension I had been holding in my joints.  The practice of meditation seemed to go hand in hand with the physical aspect of the practice; As I allowed myself to look at my thoughts and meditate mindfully, I also was able to see the stress in my body I had been ignoring.

Yoga as a Ritual

I have noticed that my yoga practices do embody many characteristics that would make them be considered ritualistic.

First of all when I entered the practice today I noticed that taking off my shoes and getting on my mat felt like a separation stage stage of a ritual.  As I laid on my mat waiting for practice to start I felt as if I was leaving my old self behind;  I recognized this was the liminal phase.  Finally, there was an incorporation phase when the practice was over I had completed the ritual.

While each yoga practice is only a mild ritual, this ritual was a good way to slow down my busy day and just be.

Week 9

Yoga as a Life-Style and Culture

This week I attended Yoga 9's "Yoga Flow Class" again with Joyce.  This was the first class where I actually felt like I was "connected with my breath" so to speak.  It's hard to explain but I gave up all control of my breath and just let it come naturally. During the tough asanas my breath became heavy and I felt embarased and was tempted to control it so I wouldn't be so loud.  However, I simply allowed myself to let go of such a unnecessary worry.  I felt connected with the flow of the room and it felt liberating giving up trying to be in control.  As Professor Greene suggested, I may have the tendency to always need to be in control due to my Pitta dosha.  I originally denied this I have realized it rings very true.  Allowing my body and mind to just go with the flow was a great experience.

I feel that the yoga life-style and culture has a lot to do with the process of slowing down the mind and body and being introspective.  It involves becoming more connected: with ourselves, our peers, and our environment. .

Week 8

This week I attended a Yoga 9 class lead by Joyce.  As opposed to being counter culture, I feel that yoga is actually pop culture now.  Yoga 9, for instance, welcomes all sorts of people and even advertises as much.  Back when yoga was considered a counter-culture people just didn't know that much about yoga.  Classes were not on corners of popular streets such is the case for Yoga 9.  I think the effect Yoga has had on the West has been positive.  I believe in the importance of slowing down the mind and being mindful and yoga is an excellent method for doing this.  Yoga has definitely gone through a lot of changes and adaptions over the generations but so does every tradition.  I don't think these changes are inherently bad unless they are making untrue claims.  If they are just marketed as ways to connect with the body, breath, and self through physical movements, then I think that yoga can be a good thing in pop culture.

Week 6

This week I went to Yoga 9 in Ventnor, NJ on Friday.  Before class I was feeling physically exhausted and fatigued.  This time of year I always struggle to feel energized. The combination of allergies, fluctuation in temperature, and loss of daylight are a recipe for making feel under the weather. On this particular day I was just ready to relax. It was a rainy and I had just got done my last class before the weekend.  But I hadn't gone to a class yet this week and the 10:30 am class at Yoga 9 was my last chance.

The ocean air filled the air filled my lungs as I dragged my mat and towel from my car to the studio.  I entered the side door where Annie (who I had met at Stockton when she presented) greeted me with a smile.  I had arrived right on time and I was going to be the only student.  After filling out the waiver and setting up my mat, Annie began the practice. This particular practice was Gentle Yoga which I had no problem with that day.

It was very intimate getting a personal lesson but I had to try extra hard to focus because I thought the instructor was super cute and my hormones were kicking in.  Breathe Jon. This is a yoga session, not a hot date.  Okay I was back.

Soon into the practice I began to feel the weight of the past week fall into my mat.  I definitely felt like Annie was helping to heal my body and mind.  Annie's soft and soothing voice made me feel like she cared about my well-being and that I could just let everything go.  As opposed to relaxation which is a state of mind, healing has much more tangible benefits.  I would say that this practice was healing because soon into the practice the fatigue I felt and creaky joints from the weather began to go away.  I was feeling energized and alert.

After the practice I chatted with Annie for a few minutes before heading home.  The gentle yoga really helped with healing.

 

Week 4

This week at my practice at Grow Yoga I paid special attention to the sense of community of the studio. Ever since joining the fair-trade at Grow Yoga working at the front desk I have really admired the strong sense of community here.  Although I don't necessarily feel apart of the community yet, this is more because I take a while to warm up to people.  However, many of the other people are very friendly and know each other by name and hug when greeting.  It is a very warm and vibrant place.  I believe this sense of community is important for a yoga studio in particular because yoga is a time of introspection and vulnerability.  In general, I think yoga classes all have a sense of community because even if each student is going through different life challenges, at the time of practice all of that is forgotten temporarily and they are all just practicing yoga together and being mindful of movements and the immediate experience.   

Week 3

Last week I focused on the physical fitness aspect of my yoga experience, so this week I will describe the spiritual or ritualistic aspect of my experience.  I practiced again at Grow Yoga in Galloway.  There is always scented oils being infused into the air and tranquil music playing in the background making it feel calm.  As for the practice room, no shoes are allowed to be worn.  I assume this could be for practical reasons such as keeping the room free of dirt, but it also to give the room more of a spiritual vibe.  By not wearing shoes I suppose everyone is supposed to feel at home and free.  The instructor's dialogue and words of wisdom at certain parts during the lesson was encouraging and insightful. It made it feel like the practice similar to prayer or meditation.  

Week 2

This week I went to a 5:30 am class at Grow Yoga yesterday.  I wanted to get an early start that day. So I have finally started to get the general flow of each class. Each class starts with pretty easy poses and they gradually increase in difficulty.  The final few minutes the heat and the lights gets turned off and the fans get put on.

Yoga is definitely framed as more than just an exercise.  The whole aspect of mindfulness on the senses makes it different than many other exercises.  For me I'm still trying to make sense of yoga but it almost feels like a dance class where everyone is dancing by themselves. What I mean is that, like dance, yoga allows people to express themselves through movement. It really is not that much different.  Unlike dancing to music you just do poses to the sound of the instructors voice.  In this way it is more introspective than dancing with someone else. 

   

Week 1

I've been practicing yoga for about two months now after a friend suggested that I try it.  My goal was to go in with an open mind and see what the hype was about.  At the very least it would be a good workout and I would meet new people while trying something new.

The studio I have been going to is called Grow Yoga.  Grow Yoga has a very friendly and family oriented atmosphere. I try to go everyday.  This semester my goal is to try different yoga studios, namely yoga 9 and the yoga on Stockton's campus.

Yesterday, September 15th, I attended a class at Grow Yoga called "Steve's Class: A Creative Vinyasa".  Since the class was at 5:45pm I expected there to be more people attending from after work.  There are sometimes upwards of 30 people in class but this week there were only about 8 or 9.
Unlike many other classes I've taken at Grow, the class was not heated. I was hoping that it would be heated as this is my favorite part.  I like sweating during class and usually feel revived afterwards so this aspect was disappointing.  However, despite not being heated I found the class to be enjoyable.  Unlike the Power Yoga classes I've taken which were higher energy, this class was a bit more low-key and slow paced which was a nice change. Like all other classes, it ended with an "Ohm" and Namaste.  

I really liked soothing Steve's inflection in his voice.