yoga & i

Last week I decided to check out a new yoga studio near my house in bangalore They offer power yoga classes, and despite the fancy name and  profile – they have a good list of teachers.

When I got there the staff at the front desk were friendly- they gave me their rate charts ( 3 days a week  for 1 hour each day and the cost is Rs.2800), and as expected I had to sign a form saying  that it wouldn’t be their fault if I injured myself on during yoga sessions. What surprised me was that no one asked if I had ever done yoga before.

The class was as expected more workout than yoga, including rap music and instructions to “pick up the pace, people!” I left feeling more worn out than calmed down, and the next day I got a head-splitting migraine. Coincidence?

I have a theory that power yoga/ yoga aggravate the nervous system, while a more breath-focused practice triggers the relaxation response.A regular yoga practice has helped eliminate most migraines for me, so I find it surprising that a yoga class can actually trigger an migraine attack. I’ve found that improper hydration when exercising is my biggest migraine trigger. So yoga or power yoga without enough to drink (but especially hot yoga, since you’re sweating so much) would be a problem. I always have a water bottle to hand when doing yoga.Now my legs give out before my head does.

I have learnt yoga from Baroda Nirogaya Kendra Naturopathy center where things are simplified, all they believe or look for yoga. Here i see woman more interested in matching trends and styles of yoga dress code, sharing numbers and telling each other how rich they are.

I really dont know why and where i always get stuck in glossy places. Anyways i left and dint go back.

For many people, the word “yoga” doesn’t mean much more than a few stretches and breathing exercises. But once you’ve practiced yoga for a while, you begin to understand that yoga is so much more—it can be a lifestyle, a spiritual practice, and I find yoga in those fleeting moments when I’m able to stop my mind chatter and just be. There comes a point when meditation and yoga is linked in the body.

And while they might not be the first things that come to mind when someone says they’re going to do yoga—for me, it’s all one and the same. I notice myself practicing “yoga” everywhere.

Cutting vegetables, kneading dough, eating food prepared with love, and even washing dishes in sudsy water can be an experience of mindfulness for me

Sometimes the depression would take the form of anger, not sadness. I couldn’t control my emotions; I got into bar fights; I lost friends. And I probably blew any number of career opportunities. It’s hard to say. I was too depressed to properly evaluate.

I’d like to say, “then I discovered yoga and all was healed,” but that’s not exactly how it went.

This slow, steady path is achieved through daily routine and it is essential for real, lasting change.