Yoga is Universal

There are many misconceptions about Yoga, and some will not even try, believing that it conflicts with their religious beliefs. Yoga is many things to different people, and many people (especially in the Western world) use Yoga exclusively as a physical practice, and to me, that’s quite alright…because what happens then? You are spending time moving your body, but usually…eventually…in the quiet time on your mat, you may (or may not) begin to look inward. You breathe, take up space, and reflect on your day and your goals; it is YOUR time. If it’s your thing, you might think about your place in the world or maybe even your faith.

I tell those who join me that being on the mat is a time for them. No one needs them in that hour, no kids calling out for you, no boss asking for a spreadsheet, no phone calls, no traffic jams.

Just you. It’s your time. It’s your time on your mat. I’m just there to guide.

Yoga is freedom.

Yoga can be community, but Yoga is also solitude and companionship with self.

Yoga is inclusive yet, at the same time, reclusive.

Yoga comes from Sanskrit, which means “to yoke” or “unite.” It means to create a union between the body, mind, and spirit.  All of the parts of YOU. And if you are religious, perhaps all of the parts of those things your God has blessed you with.

While reading the first chapter of “Meditations from the Mat” by Gates and Kenison, I found this stated perfectly:

Yoga is the study of balance, and balance is the aim of all living creatures…[Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras were] written between 500 and 200 B.C., and codified a spiritual path that was already many centuries old at the time [they] were actually written down. [The Sutras provide] 196 succinct lessons on the nature of the human condition, human potential, and how that potential can be realized….You will find nothing in this ancient text that contradicts the precepts of any religion.

Instead you will find a step-by-step guide to right living, a guide that compliments the goals of any spiritual tradition…

Yoga is the practice of celebrating what is….Yoga is a lamp lit in the window of your home, dimly glimpsed across the spiritual wilderness in which we wander…Yoga reminds us that we are already [home].

Moving your body, showing up on your mat, and taking time for yourself is a privilege.

It is a privilege to move our bodies every day, to breathe, to sweat, and to contemplate. I am constantly inspired by others and often say out loud in my classes: “we GET TO DO THIS!” In our hectic, modern world, it is a privilege to find time to dedicate to oneself, and it is an even greater privilege if you choose to practice yoga in a community space with others. Let’s be real: unless you’re going to a free or donation-based community class (like Yoga Abrazo), you have the unequivocal privilege of paying for a costly class or a huge membership fee.

But back to the idea of religion and how Yoga could fit into your life. I have heard people tell me that they feel it’s too risky or it just doesn’t feel right to do Yoga when they are devout followers of [insert religion here] and find it in conflict with their teachings. That’s completely okay, it’s not for everyone. However, I often wonder about the foundation on which they stand.

Indeed, it would help if you found yoga guides, a community that allows you to grow in your own space on your own time (should you want to), and a place that meets you where you are.

You have to find a place that is right for you, and if you are standing on a solid foundation of your own faith, you can make choices that align with your belief system, even if that means walking out the door. As Americans, most of us have the privilege and the right to step over the threshold of most open doors. We can often even choose to open them on our own. Whether you stay or leave is purely up to you, but the fact remains that there is an open door and we have free will and trying something new could open your heart, and help your brain and your body along the way.

I appreciated this view from the article: Can Christians Do Yoga? by Alli Patterson, a leader at Crossroads Church in Ohio (FWIW: a place I know nothing about…thanks, Google):

Because God is so good, He’s given a whole lot of grace and wisdom to people who will never know, love, or follow him—just to make our lives on earth liveable and good. His knowledge, grace, and help are everywhere in our world for us to find and use to live well. I believe that includes the knowledge of muscles, stretching, and overall health from yoga movements.

Where the Bible is silent (and, if you were wondering, it doesn’t say anything about our modern-day yoga practices), I use my freedom and wisdom from Christ to determine what is consistent with my faith—just like I’m gonna use Extended-Side-Angle to strengthen my core. I personally don’t believe simply putting my body into a Triangle shape means I subscribe to an entire belief system. I just think it stretches my inner thighs really well.

Yoga gives us space.

I hope that you find no fear in your quiet time, no fear in your thoughts, with your breathing, and with moving. I realize it is not for everyone. I learn more every day about myself, my body, and my connection with my God. I learn from you.

I do not pretend to have it figured out—I simply do not; I am a student. But I do know that all are welcome by my side while we practice.

Why I don’t use “Namaste”

There is a reason why you will not hear me say “namaste” at the end of our practice. I have chosen to not use it in the way you might think. I’ll explain. 

This word has been culturally appropriated by the West. 71.3% of yoga teachers in the US are White and 86% are female (Zippia, 2022). As a person that falls right in this demographic, I feel as though I need to acknowledge this, and it is my responsibility to create a welcoming space for all – but especially for those that do not look like me. I have learned Sanskrit words and do use some posture names in my practice as my intention is to keep the culture alive through breath and movement. This is important to me personally as I am learning how to respect the long history of yoga. But “namaste” is problematic.

“Namaste” is a greeting, a hello. It’s more appropriate to use it when people walk in the door. It does not mean “thank you” or “the light in me honors the light in you” or any of that jargon you’ve heard at the end of a yoga class. I aim to lead with honesty. That all sounds cool, sounds flowery & nice, but I am a human with flaws. I prefer, “THANK YOU! Thank you for coming, thank you for sharing your space, your breath, your time. Thank you for letting me guide you.” It might be more meaningful to actually tell a student these words. Express kindness & gratitude in a way that people can really understand, from your heart, and in a way they can then take it off their mat into their day and share it with others. THAT’S the Yoga! “Namaste” isn’t going to land for a total stranger standing in line at Starbucks, but “thank you” just might.

I may use it occasionally at the end of practice to acknowledge a “rebirth,” a new start of the day as the person comes off their mat (a hello or greeting to a new version of one’s self – but to me, personally, this is still a bit of a stretch). The big difference here is that I will explain my intention.

Most things evolve, even words. We all make choices that align with our heart, our intent; as a leader we must be mindful with how we lead. There is a Sanskrit word for “intention” and that is “Sankalpa.” My heartfelt desire, my Sankalpa, is to show everyone, regardless of age, size, shape, or identity, that yoga is for them. Inclusivity. Words matter.

If you’d like to read more about this, here is a good NPR article about the “namaste” conversation.  https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2020/01/17/406246770/how-namaste-flew-away-from-us

Sources

Zippia. (2022, September 9). Yoga teacher demographics and statistics [2023]: Number of yoga teachers in the US. Yoga Teacher Demographics and Statistics [2023]: Number Of Yoga Teachers In The US. https://www.zippia.com/yoga-teacher-jobs/demographics/ 

photo by Leah Joy Love