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. .