1. It doesn't matter how flexible or inflexible you are. Really. Being flexible won't make you happier. There's no prize. Stop suffering and learn to love the body you have!
2. Don't get hung up on how you look in a pose. Everyone else in class is focusing on their own pose. They don't care how you look (unless you're wearing a thong). Let this be your first lesson in ego management.
3. It's OK if you don't know what the Sanskrit words mean. The only people in the room who do are teachers or big yoga dorks.
4. It's not religious—unless you want it to be. Your practice should be unique to you. You're allowed to make it as spiritual, religious, fitness oriented (or not) as you want. (If someone tells you otherwise, please have them call me.)
5. Yoga is an art form, a science, a lifestyle, and a philosophy. But more than anything, it's a way to get to know yourself better. And that's something that benefits us all.
P.S. Thanks to the multi-talented artist/singer/songwriter extraordinairre Cate Kanell for giving Spoiled Yogi a new look! Check out her amazing music at catekanell.com!
so true took me awhile to learn those
ReplyDeleteLOVE the new look!!! and the blog, all excellent points.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the teachers don't always remember the Sanskrit either ;)
ReplyDeleteDon't put your yoga teacher on a pedestol.
ReplyDeleteWhile yoga most often makes you wiser, more sane, physically and emotionally healthier. Yoga teachers are human- We often forget to breathe, drive recklessly on our way to yoga class, get cancer, act crazy, feel insecure and make fools of ourselves. Remember you teach what you most need to know.
I love this post! I work for Green Monkey (a yoga company in Miami) and it took me a year to get brave enough to walk into a class because I was so intimidated, wish I'd read this my first day! But my curiosity got the better of me and now I've been practicing at LEAST 3 times a week and am totally in love. I still find myself wondering how ridiculous I look once in a while, but try to remind myself that in certain poses (happy baby...) everyone looks ridiculous. This post is so right on!
ReplyDeleteOn that note Erica, Green Monkey publishes 5 online newsletters monthly if you have any interest in writing for us I'm the editor and we would, love, love, love to have you! Feel free to email me at heather@greenmonkey.net to follow up if you have any interest otherwise - keep creating this awesome and inspiring content!
I'm glad ya'll like the new look! Thanks for commenting. It gives me warm-fuzzies!
ReplyDeleteElise, That is an excellent point. I'm glad you brought it up. I realized just how human teachers are when I finished my teacher training and still felt like SUCH a student. Now, I get it!
Heather, I emailed you! Thanks for dropping by!
Thank you for this...
ReplyDeleteYogi-to-be
Amen, sister! I wish that others also knew what it was I am truly referring to when I say "yoga practice". I love this list!
ReplyDeleteMy every day starts only with yoga and that is why I know about it but I come to know in detail from you. I am glad that now people are giving importance to yoga so that they can stay fit and healthy.
ReplyDeleteyoga clothing
I shared this very post in my blog, thanks Spoiled Yogi for writing it as if it was written from all of us 'seasoned' yogis!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. It is very informative for a mother like me to get in shape not just that, to back as energized as before giving birth :)
ReplyDeletenice blog!!it will definitely help beginners...
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