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GEEK OUT: YOGA 101
"But I'm Not Flexible"
Contrary to popular belief, the aim of yoga is NOT flexibility. Flexibility is a nice by-product and you WILL see your flexibility improve dramatically week-over-week.
The intention is around integrity — engaging all of your muscles without straining, extending your energy lines and remembering to breathe. Yoga is about the integration of mind, body and spirit — developing strength and flexibility with a sense of balance and ease.
As one of the teachers at Katonah says, he sees two types of students: “loose screws and nut jobs.” Loose screws are TOO loose — they flop all over and need to focus on engaging their muscles not just falling-back on their flexibility. Nut jobs are very tight — they can focus on breathing into areas holding tension and releasing and loosening a little bit more every pose.
So in your next class, instead of beating yourself up for your lack of flexibility (::::ahem, looks in mirror::::), consider the following questions instead:
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Am I feeling the stretch?
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Am I breathing evenly?
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Am I extending through each limb where appropriate for the pose?
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How are my angles and lines?
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Am I surfing the edge of my strength and flexibility without over-exerting?
Finally, drop your thoughts altogether and just have some fun!! |
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Upcoming Classes
THURS |
September 26 |
7 - 8:00pm |
THURS |
October 10 |
7 - 8:00pm |
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