Your New Years Yoga Resolution

New Years resolutions are dead easy for yoga.

What's your weakest area? Bingo. Resolution.

Follow through with some solids, naming specific poses you're gonna focus on and where you'd like to be.

What's your fave part of yoga? Bingo. Resolution.

Same again. Have some solids.

Yoga bucket list ideas:

Handstand on the edge of a building (do this last for obvious reasons).

See Seane Corn with straight hair.

Get your foot behind your head (just once, to know what it feels like).

Attend a yoga class when there are only blokes (This isn't blokes yoga, it's a normally billed yoga class, but on that day only blokes show up. One in a billion chance. Weird.).

Attend a yoga class with your fave teach where you are the only student (This isn't a one on one. It's just a class, and only you attend).

Ok enough fantasy. Back to reality. Happy 2016, J.

Guys Guide To Starting Yoga

So you're a dude and you wanna give this new yoga thang a go. Here's what to do and what to expect:

You'll Be Lonely

Expect to be the only dude in class. Bonus if another bloke shows up. But don't count on it.

Expect girls to give you a wide berth, if you are a guy at a yoga class.

Look, the girls don't know you. They came not expecting to see a guy in class. Don't sweat it. Just focus on the yoga.

Now that last sentence is the biggest DO. Focus on the yoga.

I highly advise going to class alone. Probably the worst thing you could do, is show up with a mate.

The chances of a monumental f*ck-up by mates attending their first yoga class together, rises exponentially with each additional mate.

It's Not A Social Event

If you came because you think that yogis are open minded etc, and you have interpreted this as meaning yoga is some sort of social gathering, you are entirely mistaken.

Yoga is a solitary endeavor. Even in a room full of people.

With yoga, you withdraw the senses and focus on a point on the floor, or wall, or ceiling. Not other people. In fact, you'll just end up falling over if you watch other people. Don't do it.

If you are new, and have to look around to see what people are doing, because you don't know the moves, don't look at the same person all the time.

Expect to speak to nobody but the teacher. And then it'll be to get your name and any injuries. Any more social interaction than this is a bonus.

Don't be head bobbing around the place looking for someone to speak to. Be approachable, but let people come to you. But don't count on it.

Yoga's a solitary practice over many years. Yoga friendships can take the equivalent time to develop.

What To Wear

Do not wear short shorts. 

Do wear long shorts or long pants. 

If you wear shorts, then DO wear some skins underneath. Just don't wear shorts and briefs (this is just a recipe for a wardrobe malfunction, in a couple of poses I can think of).

I wouldn't advise wearing tights either. Just not a great look.

So, long shorts with long tight legging style underwear or long pants. 

Now your top. Only take your top off in a hot yoga class where the temperature is over 100 Fahrenheit or 40 Celsius.

Any class that is conducted in lesser temperatures, leave your top on.

Now, if you wear a top that's too baggie, it'll constantly fall over your head. What? Just trust me. No big baggie tops.

You'll want a fitted top. Doesn't have to be skin tight. But does have to have minimum give.

Sweat And Body Odor

Yoga is a physical activity. Expect to sweat.

Minimize your odor by showering and using underarm before class, but don't sweat the sweat during class.

Don't wear cologne to class. Underarm yes. Pongy cologne no.

Pre-Class Preps

Hydrate before class. Don't be gulping down water during class.

Go to the toilet before class. Don't be leaving to go to the loo during class.

Mats

If you use a studio mat, you'll be expected to clean it at the end.

If you are a heavy sweater, invest in your own mat.

Om

Omming (try saying a_u_m) is the chant at the start and or end of class (sometimes during). Contrary to what you may have heard, yoga isn't religious. Spiritual yes (in that it lifts your spirit).

If you do om, know this...you can't om out of tune. In fact.

If you are all omming in tune, you are doing it wrong. Just do it and don't give a toss about how it sounds.

Partnering Up

If the teacher asks you to partner up and there is another guy in class, walk straight over to him and ask if it's ok to partner with him.

If the teacher asks you to partner up and there is another guy in class and he immediately partners up with someone, then you are fresh out of luck. 

Unless, someone approaches you, wait for the teacher to either suggest someone or you partner with the teacher. Same goes for if you are the only dude.

Now, this doesn't mean that you won't get a partner. 

Really serious yogis probably won't care who they partner with. So don't be shocked, if the super flexi yogi chick, who can do all the poses, standing next to you, gives you a nod.

Savasana

At the end of class, everybody lies around on the floor on their backs for a couple of minutes in silence. This is called savasana (shav-as-ana)

Don't fidget in savasana.

Don't skip savasana. Yoga is about being still. Savasana is where you practice being still, which is what yoga is ALL about. 

People who skip savasana are not yoga practitioners. They should go back to pilates or barre or wherever you came from.

Get A DVD And Practice First

If you are a guy and you want to get into yoga, try a DVD first. 

Try the Bryan Kest Power Yoga Complete Collection which is available from Amazon. It's an old one, but is a solid intro to yoga, and will put you firmly on the right path.

Final Words

You've been given a lot of absolutes in the above. They are designed to get you up and rolling with a minimum of fuss. 

A lot of what I've said can be bent when you know what you are doing. Until then, stick to the script.

Good luck, J.

Yoga Guru Test - Do You Pass?

Two wannabe gurus were washing dishes at the Ashram.

The dishes have to be clean for the 600 diners before 6pm meditation. Dinner starts at 5 pm sharp. Oh ho!

They are gonna have to hustle, to wash all the dishes in time for meditation.

Both of the wannabe gurus washing dishes are new to the Ashram. It's their first day.

This Ashram is a Beverly Hills Ashram, and it can afford a bank of 12 industrial dishwashers.

Each industrial dishwasher has a top and bottom drawer. Each drawer can take 25 plates and cutlery.

It takes 5 minutes to stack a drawer of dirty dishes.

When stacked full of dishes, etc, the drawers are pretty heavy. They are opened and closed hydraulically.

In order to make 6pm meditation on time, the wannabe gurus will need to work quickly.

The dishes are set to clean, after being stacked in the dishwashers. And then they are left in the dishwashers between meals.

The dishes need to be unstacked at the start of each meal, and taken to the servery, ready for that meals diners.

Each wannabe guru can unstack a dishwasher - full of cleaned dishes from the previous meal -  ready for food serving in 10 minutes. They only have access to the kitchen at 5pm exactly.

A load of 50 dirty dishes comes every 5 minutes, starting at exactly 10 minutes after meals start.

At 5pm sharply, the two wannabe gurus begin unstacking the first two dishwashers of clean dishes.

By 10 minutes after meal commences they've managed to unstack 2 dishwashers. Then one of the wannabe gurus switches to stacking the first load of dirty dishes.

The other wannabe guru keeps unstacking the clean dishes.

They work furiously at it.

6 pm comes. There are a number of dishwashers still to be unstacked (and some angry wannabe gurus who didn't get plates for their meal). There's also lots of dirty dishes to be stacked.

The two wannabes gurus miss meditation in order to finish up.

The next day the head guru calls the two wannabes into his office. He says "I notice that you both didn't make meditation last night. How come?".

One of the wannabes says, "Yes, sorry head guru, but we didn't have all the clean dishes out of the machines and all the dirty dishes in the machines."

"Oh", says the head guru. "Did you both unstack and then one of you switch to stacking when the first load of 50 came in?"

"Yes", they say.

"By my calculation", says the head guru, "there should have been two dishwasher drawers fully unstacked at 6 pm, with the other dishwashers being fully stacked with either dirty or clean dishes."

"Yes", say the wannabes. Eyes wide in awe at this feat of mathematical mastery.

"And the 2 drawers that were unstacked, they were in the same washing machine?"

"Yes", say the wannabes. Eying each other in astonishment.

"At 6 pm exactly, in what state was the top drawer of the machine with the 2 unloaded drawers?"

"It...was...closed", say the wannabes hesitatingly.

In a voice of doom, the head guru says, "Because you both missed meditation, you are cast out from this Ashram. One to the North and one to the South."

"Each of you may only return, when you can tell me why the drawer being closed, caused you to be cast out."

If you were one of the wannabe gurus, would you be able to go back to the Ashram? CU in class, J.

There's No Deity In Yoga

Buckle up, this is gonna get heavy. But do try to stick with it till the end...right let's go...

4 Types Of People

There are 4 types of people:

-- Karmis are materialistic. They work hard. They have money and material possessions.

-- Jnanis value knowledge over material possessions.

-- Yogis desire physical power. This includes the slowing of electrical signals in the brain (which is a physical process).

-- Bhaktas serve from love. They desire nothing for themselves.

Who Can Do What?

Karmis can't buy their way to god.

Jnanis can't study their way to god.

Yogis can't calm their way to god.

But the Bhaktas can love their way to god.

The only path to god is Bhakti, not yoga or karma or jnana. (Bhagavad Gita 18:55)

People And Their Agendas

So why is there so much confusion? 

Well, it all boils down to one little word in one sutra. Specifically, to the translation of that word. 

The sutra is the Niyama sutra and the word is ishvara. (Sutra 2:45)

Religious people translate the word as lord and assign a religious meaning to it.

Non-religious people translate the word as lord and mean a king or teacher (think of ye ole English knights with lances or a swami).

Then we have religious people (bhaktas) - back to our karmis, jnanis, yogis and bhaktas - who are disappointed by the religious yogis who translate the word with a religious context.

Confused much?

The last lot - the bhaktas - are correct - remember they are loving their way to god. And yoga is just slowing down your mind (This is physical. It's just less electrical signals in the brain).

As ishvara is used in other non-religious texts, assigning a purely religious meaning may be taking liberties. 

Putting It All Together

Ok, let's round it out and finish up.

If somebody thinks that the Niyama sutra translation means God (the Creator) then simply ask them if they recognize the Bhagavad Gita as an authoritative text. 

They kinda have to say yes, because you can't assign religious meaning to the sutras without assigning religious meaning to the Bhagavad Gita. 

You can however, assign religious meaning to the Bhagavad Gita without assigning religious meaning to the sutras. Well, you have to assign a religious meaning to the Gita. It's a religious book!

Where were we? Oh, yeah, so the person has said yes to the Bhagavad Gita. 

Now you just point them to 18:55 and get them to explain that (this is the bhaktas knowing god).

Now challenge them to point to where it says raja or ashtanga yogis can get to know god.

Summary

Yoga's primarily a physical practice. 

The yamas and niyamas are observances and practices that help develop control (more yoga). 

They also are morally sound, so bad things don't weigh your conscience down, causing mind fluctuations.

There's only one really contentious 'god' sutra. Translations of this word elsewhere doesn't mean god.

The Bhagavad Gita says that you can only know god through bhakti (devotional love). It doesn't say that you can get to know god through karma, jnana or yoga (raja/ashtanga). 

There's no god in 'yoga'. If there was it'd be yogad or ya-god (joking).

Christians, Muslims et al, please feel free to practice without guilt.

Peace out, J.

P.S. To all the dippy love and power to the butterflies crowd; if you are looking for religion in western yoga, you're gonna be looking for a while and you're gonna be disappointed with the results. It ain't there. 

Don't Spend Your Energy On Negativity

Some quotes from a recent talk.

On Negativity

"It's very, very important to always have positive thoughts."

"And it's very, very important never to give your thoughts to negativity."

"It's critical that you should not criticize someone else. Because you've never been in their shoes. You don't know what they've done. "

So the Creator, the Great Mathematician, you don't know what He's trying to deliver to the other person. So you shouldn't be criticizing."

"You are wasting your energy."

On Social Media

"Don't follow what the kids are doing these days. Posting selfies and telling everybody on Facebook what they are doing." "This is what I had for breakfast."

"If you seriously want to do better than the next person. You need to put in some elbow grease."

On Time

You don't have unlimited energy and life is short.

It may not feel that way if you're in your 20's or 30's, but trust me, you'll blink and you'll be in your 40s wondering what the hell happened.

No matter what your age, spend your energy wisely. Yoga is one of the best uses of your energy.

In a world full of (mis)information, yoga is a beacon of truth. Its wisdom is tried and tested. You can safely follow its path.

Best wishes for 2016, J.

Yoga: It's a Team Sport

This yoga journey we are on, is one of constant calibration.

I know guys who work the strength thing to death.

They impress you with their jump backs, via handstand, lower to koundinyasana, but then they blow the whole thing when you see them hitting a hip (non) opener (in their case).

When you are beginning, you are bringing everything along (strength, flexibility, balance). Individual things don't matter.

But when you've been at it for a while, it's a big mistake to always practice into your strength (be it balance, flexibility or strength).

You should always be studying yourself and identifying your weakest area. Then purposely work into that area.

As far as your body is concerned, yoga is a team sport. Your body is only as good as the weakest link.

That being said, if everything is humming along within close tolerances, the sum of the whole will be greater than the sum of the parts.  And you'll feel fan-freakin-tastic.

Stay true, J.

How Your Eyes Can Help You Have Stronger Inversions And Arm Balances

You know how I'm always banging on that the only wrong way to do yoga is if it injures you? Well, that's still true, but let me tell you, this comes close to breaking that rule...

Ok, practice time. Reach your hands above your head (urdhva hasta).

Join the palms together while your hands are reaching upwards. Now bring your palms to hearts centre, while flaring your elbows out to the side. Ok, that's the way to have weak inversions and arm balances.

Now do the same thing (hands reaching high, palms together), only the very first thing to do, before you even start to draw your hands to heart centre, is to bring the elbows together.

Keep the elbows together, while drawing the  them down, until they physically have to separate because of your rib cage.

Now, my friend, you have taken the first step onto the professional arm balancing podium. Welcome aboard.

What you have just learned is THE single most important principle in holding long, strong inversions and hand balances.

You just turned the eyes of your elbows forward (instead of them facing each other)

Now that you have the eyes of your elbows facing forward, NEVER let them face each other ever again. They never need to.

...plank...face 'em forward.

          ...down dog...yep, facing forward

                     ...up dog...FaCiNg FoRwArD

                               ...handstand...facing forward

koudinyasana, crow, astavakrasana, do we need to keep going? You get the message.

Elbow eyes facing towards each other is just weak, puny, vapid posing.

Get with the strength. Face 'em forward. 

Happy hand balancing, J.

Why So Sad? How Yoga Helps You Battle Depression

You can choose to be happy.

It does involve effort though. You can't just make the decision and then a sea of happiness magically appears and gently surrounds you.

So what is involved with deciding to be happy?

A couple of things:

1.   First up, you need to identify the things in your life making you a miserable git.

This isn't too hard; as they are the things you are stressed and depressed about.  

When you do this you are using the yogic principle of self-study (svadyaya).

2.    Now that you’ve identified your stressors, you need to decide whether you can actually do anything about them.

The Alcoholics Anonymous motto can help here:

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, 

the courage to change the things I can, 

and the wisdom to know the difference."

So when you think about the things upsetting you, can you actually change them? Probably not (or you would change them, and then you wouldn't be depressed).

Accepting when you cannot change a situation, is embodying the yogic principle of surrender (ishvarapranidhana).

So, up to now, you've stopped struggling against the things upsetting you.

3.    The next thing to do is to start to find happiness in the things you do. Easier said than done.

1600 years ago, Patanjali said…

"In relationships, the mind becomes purified by cultivating feelings of friendliness towards those who are happy, compassion for those suffering, goodwill towards those who are virtuous, and indifference or neutrality towards those we perceive as wicked or evil." 

The word "cultivating" in the sutra = work - or practice in yoga-speak. 

So Patanjali is saying that you can actually practice (.i.e. work at) being happy. Weird, but oh so true.

Now, this isn't to say that you won't occasionally fall off the happiness horse. You will. 

Like falling out of a difficult pose, remain calm and get back into it.

Depression and stress are serious business. They can wreck your health and your relationships, leaving you lonely and broken. Yoga's great for turning this around.

Summary

Figure out what’s making you sad. 
Let go of it, if you can't change it. 
Look at what’s left in your life. 
Start finding something in there to be happy about. 
Claw your way out of the depression when you fall off the bandwagon.
Try to mend all the destruction you caused in your fall from grace.

Yoga and depression, who'd a thought? 

Hopefully, UR not so sad now, J.

Yogic Surrender - It's All About Your Ego

Over the years of practicing yoga, you'll sometimes hear the yogic theme of surrender.

Surrender...

                   ...to the pose.  Ok, fair enough. No problems here.

                                          ...to a higher power. Hmmm...not sure about this one.

It's starting to sound a bit religious, and we don't want to go there. Fortunately, we don't have to.

The whole surrender thing is about ego.

If you surrender, then you are acknowledging that there is a greater power than you (doesn't have to be a specific entity).

The point is, that if there's something greater than you, then your ego is constrained.

You know when the teacher sometimes says to set an intention?

Well, if you set an intention, or dedicate your practice to something - compassion to your fellow man, gratitude that you have the time, health and resources to attend a yoga class, anything really - well the intention or dedication, is something greater than your practice.

By virtue of dedication, your practice is relegated to second position. The thing you have dedicated your practice to is in first position.

This is game over for the ego. And before the game has even begun.

No need to compete. You know the outcome. Ego may as well head to the side lines and sit this one out. Not needed.

This is great for you, as it gives your ego a break and you can just get on with practicing, without the pressure to perform. Try it.

Next time you are invited to set an intention. Give your ego a break.

Dedicate your practice to say grace, and then try to transition gracefully. If you fall out of a pose, have the good grace not to scowl or berate yourself. Gracefully, come back into the pose. It's easy.

And it's good for you. Get your yogic surrender on. CU in class, J.

...On Not Practicing What You Preach

Don't you hate it when you say something is wrong AND THEN you turn around and do it yourself?

Well, I'm guilty your honor. You see.

I said that "good yoga teachers don't talk their own book". Then what do I go and do?

Write a politically motivated post on a yoga blog. Duh!

Well the post has been removed, and my sincere apologies to all you readers who had the misfortune of reading aforementioned inflammatory rant.

Please be the better yogis and forgive a misguided zealot.

Rest assured that I'll be sticking to the script in future.

Anarchistic politics, free market economics and trading markets are henceforth cast into the fiery furnace of hell and damnation as far as this blog is concerned.

Much thanks and appreciation to Kathryn for your bravery in calling me on this one.

Every time you call me, I inch forth to becoming a better person. Only 500 gazillion light years to go and I'll be presentable to the general public.

Happy practicing, J.

Why Studio Yoga Beats Gym Yoga

Sadly, there is a difference.

And sadly it comes down to quality.

Now this isn't a super hard and fast rule. But on average, you'll get less yoga quality from gym yoga teachers. And here's why...

Gym yoga teachers have backgrounds that are diluted with other disciplines.

Yep, gym yoga teachers are more likely to be supplementing their incomes by adding another discipline to their teaching repertoire.

Whereas, studio teachers will likely be yoga only teachers.

Now if you are thinking, that having a teacher who is across other disciplines is better. You'd be mistaken. When you dilute yoga, you are making the yoga weaker. Guaranteed.

This isn't being pro-yoga or egotistical or gymophobic (yes, you can use that word I just made up). And it's not saying that yoga is better than this or that discipline.

Yoga does however, have one quality that is unique...

I'll explain this in another post but

yoga translates better into other disciplines,

than other disciplines translate into yoga. 

Weird, but true. And this is why yoga is a great addition to any athletes training (as professional football players are finding out).

So when your gym yoga teacher starts incorporating pilates or climbing or whatever moves into their yoga class, they are actually reducing the benefits you could be receiving.

Once again, this isn't saying yoga is better. It is saying that asymmetrical benefits exist. And to maximize those benefits, you need to do yoga when practicing yoga.

Re-read that 'translation' sentence.

Now, where were we? Oh yeah, studio vs gym.

Remember, the studio is specializing, while the gym is generalizing. There's a universe of difference.

Now all this may not be super apparent when beginning yoga. But as you start to progress you'll notice the diff. AND if you do progress, then at some stage you'll likely transition from a gym to a studio.

What About Mind - Body Studios?

Lately, there's a lot of mind, body studios popping up. They aren't full on gyms, and they are not full on studios either (although I'm sure they'd beg to differ).

However, if they have a dedicated yoga room, then there's no excuse for less than studio quality yoga. And you should hold them to this standard.

The rule with mind body studios is that the more they can separate their yoga from pilates, barre etc, the better quality the yoga.

Check out their timetables. If the yoga teachers also teach other disciplines, then the yoga quality will be down.

Wrap Up

Yoga teachers who are into yoga, will want to teach at studios (snobby, but true). This isn't to say that you won't find a good teacher at a gym. It's just on average, you'll find more yoga only teachers at studios.

New yoga teachers might take a gig at a gym when starting out. But if they are any good, they'll move onto studios in time. This is an internal thing, that they themselves will want to pursue. They'll be drawn to it.

Think of this as a progression. And it's the same for both students and teachers. The more they each gets into yoga, the less important other disciplines become and the more they look for yoga...which they'll find maximized at studios.

And because yoga translates to other disciplines better than other disciplines translate to yoga, studio yoga is less likely to dilute yoga.

The result is that (on average) studios offer better quality yoga.

My work is complete, J

How To Approach Yoga

When we talk approaches to yoga, we are really discussing contentment (santosha in yogese).

Now, the love, dove, peace and power to the people, yoga hippie crowd, will say to be content with where you currently are. Ok, fair enough. If that's the case...

You can roll up your mat, go home, nuke a pizza and cue season 6 of The Walking Dead. Yeah.

Being content with where you currently are, only inspires couch-ass-ana-beer. We rock up to the mat because we aren't content with the way things are.

Our discontentment can manifest itself as motivation. And if we act on that motivation, then that's us actually practicing yoga.

Yoga is a little bit different from other movement disciplines, in that it offers benefits beyond the physical.

You move, you connect the breath, you focus, you quieten the mind. You leave your mat a little bit longer, a little bit stronger, a little bit looser, a little bit calmer.

Now a person looking at you sees a person who is relaxed but strong, focused but calm. What's not to like?

Why wouldn't you be motivated to be this way? Why would you be content with being less loose, less strong, less calm?

It's kinda like the power setting on vacuum cleaners - why on earth would you want to suck up less dust?

No wonder we keep coming back. Peace, love, save the whales, happiness to all beings, etc, J.

Why the World Needs Yoga Badly

This post is a little different to our normal posts, but stick with it and it'll get there eventually...

Household debt levels are at all time highs.

Debt is future consumption brought forward. Or, sacrificing your future earnings in order to spend them now.

The sad thing is that governments are guilty of this also.

If you live in a country with a balance of payments deficit - that's every western country - then your government has sacrificed future earnings to have things now.

The really sad thing about balance of payments deficits, is that it's the next generations problem to deal with the payback, while the current generation enjoys the benefits now.

Don't worry though, I'm sure the next generation will get their own back, by reducing retirement benefits. Karma in action.

Anyhoo, on this down note, what's all this economics got to do with yoga?

Well, to progress in yoga takes three things:

Discipline, Patience and Focus

Discipline to stick with the practice, focus while practicing, and patience while the body slowly opens. 

These are three great personal qualities that you can use all the time in everyday life.

And you should use them...

...in your interactions with people. (Patiently) Let them finish what they have to say. Focus on them while they are speaking to you. Pay attention to what they are saying.

...in your personal finances. Save (using discipline) and reduce your debt. The world is in for a rocky patch as the global economy slows and companies and wealth funds start to default (after their debt binge). Don't get caught in the carnage.

Keep your head above water, J.

When It's Ok To Ask For Your (Yoga) Money Back

Yoga's evolving (as it should be).

And there are some great teachers out there takin' it to the next level.

Some teachers are so far out there, that sometimes you struggle to recognize the yoga in what you are doing.

If you can't recognize what you did during class as yoga, maybe approach the yoga teacher and ask what that shape was called (maybe demo the shape).

If they come back with "It's a variation of <insert sanskrit yoga pose name here>" then it's a valid evolution. Do this with a couple of the dubious shapes they had you try during class.

Three Strikes

Now the three strike rule applies here. If you can demo three shapes, that you did during class, that the teacher can't tell you the sanskrit names of, then yes, you can ask for your money back. Not only that.

You should ask for your money back, because it sounds like the teacher is gettin' a little off the yoga track. And you did fork over for yoga, not anything else.

Get Out Of Jail Card

Now, there is a caveat here. A get out of jail card the yoga teacher can use.

It's when they've developed their own yoga style. If the class is badged with their yoga style, say ABC Yoga Class, then they can pretty much tell you that the shape is unique to their style.

But yeah, if the class is just say a flow or hatha etc class, and you can catch them out three times, then BONUS, you get your money back.

Keep 'em honest, J.

When Not To Listen To Your Yoga Teacher

Here's how you injure yourself in yoga...

Jumping

First up, you jump yourself into a position you are not ready for.

In this instance you are using momentum, coupled with the weight of your body.

Now all this energy you have created needs to land somewhere. If you don't have a graceful way of absorbing all this momentum, then there is potential for injury.

Think jumping into headstand. The neck can absorb the energy, if you are not strong enough to handle your own body weight.

Another common 'momentum' potential for injury, is jumping into plank. The lower back absorbs momentum in this move.

Try stepping into plank or jumping into chaturanga (where the bent elbows help with the transfer of energy).

Over Stretching

Next up is over stretching. This is as it sounds. You simply pull muscles too far, too fast.

Hammies come to mind here. Hammie injuries from overstretching are painful. Don't go there. Warm up and know your limits. Ride the edge.

Over Use

Finally, we've got over use. This type of injury is usually associated with joints and constant pressure applied to the same location. Think wrist injuries from handstand practice or chaturangas.

The key here is to identify that you seem to be doing a fair few of these moves and to move the pressure point.

The pressure point can be moved by increasing (think about it) the angle of extension. This is the angle between the back of your hand and your forearm, when the wrist is extended, in hand balance position.

You can do this by coming onto your fingertips for some vinyasas to give your wrists a rest (or skip them all together, and just push back to down dog).

With handstand (or arm balance practice), try placing a wedge under the heel of your palm to move the pressure point on your wrist to a different location.

Of course, if you are now constantly applying pressure to the new pressure point, then there is potential for injury at the new pressure point.

Time yourself or stick to a strict count of how many times you are say, going to practice handstand, koundinyasana, etc

Most Cues Are Guidelines Or Suggestions

Now onto the actual post. You see.

Yoga teachers are cuing tail tucks,  knees bent, flared ribs and collapsed sides as though if you don't do this you will injure yourself. This simply isn't true.

Tail tucks and bent knees and a whole host of other cues are simply guidelines or suggestions within a pose. As such they should be cued as suggestions or guidelines. Not life or death necessities.

Every rib cage collapsing on one side is an actual separation of ribs on the other side of the pose .i.e. a stretch (that may be feeling great).

Every hip that isn't square to the floor is a hip in greater extension (that may be feeling great).

So as a yoga student, you have choices. Sure you can tuck that tail or contain those ribs. But understand that this is at the expense of something else not extending as much.

Most of the time this choice comes down to stretch versus strength. You contain the ribs and square the hips to gain strength, at the expense of feeling less of a stretch.

Bottom line: If what the yoga teacher is saying, isn't related to the injuries we've discussed, then take it as a suggestion.

If it feels great to push your chest to the floor in down dog, go for it. This is one of those moves where if your body was going to get injured, it would let you know, and then you wouldn't do it.

"If it makes you happy, it can't be that bad." Sheryl Crow

Down with cuing nazi teachers, J.

The Great Thing About Bad Yoga Teachers

The interesting thing about yoga teachers, love 'em or hate 'em, is that they are giving you their all.

And I don't mean, giving it their all. They're giving you their all.

All they've learnt about yoga. No secret recipes or poses held back.

Now, I'm not saying that yoga teachers are telling you everything about their personal lives or that they are using yoga as a platform for talking their own book. At least the good ones won't be.

But yeah, they should be telling you their good, solid, yoga stories, that back a yogic viewpoint.

Assuming, your yoga teacher is following this example. Then you'll be getting everything that person has learned, about yoga, to date. Unfettered, gift wrapped and delivered to your door.

Pretty cool eh? J.

Do You go to a Yoga Class or a Yoga Lesson?

Yeah, yeah...what's the diff.

Tom-ar-toe...tom-ay-toe.

Funnily enough. There's no difference between a yoga class and a yoga lesson. The event could be billed as both. It could be run as billed, and yet it still could be either a class or a lesson.

Students turn up to class all the time, and still people grow up ignorant.

....<deep pause>...for profound effect.

OK, so, where were we before that random pearl of wisdom... oh yeah, whether it's a class or a lesson depends on whether the student' intends the practice to be a class or a lesson,

...and whether they are receptive to new ideas or not.

Can a class be a lesson, if the student is unreceptive? Yes if something they see, experience or hear resonates and they take notice, and it's a part of a growing body of knowledge, that results in practice later..

Is the practice always a lesson, if the student intends to be receptive during the practice? No, if they are unwilling to make sacrifices.

Remember, yoga is (99%) practice, 1% theory, not the other way around.

This is where we get superficial yogis. Hey, it happens. They talk the talk, thinking that's the way it's supposed to be done. Check out 'response bias'. It's a form of that.

The sad thing, is that it's ok to use yoga for fitness. No personality change required.

But, yeah, short answer; whether it's a class or lesson, is up to the student. Not the teacher. And sometimes it's not even up to the student.

CU in class lesson, J>

You Gotta Take A Bite Outta Life

Yoga is freakin' awesome.

You get so strong doing this stuff. Freaky strong and freaky loose.

Next thing you know, you are smiling more and people see you all loose and strong and smiling, and they want some of that, so they gravitate towards you.

Now you're popular, happy, healthy...if you're waiting for the catch, there isn't one. Yoga brings good things to those that practice it.

Next thing you know, you are more patient. Waiting for people to do this and that. They notice, they appreciate.

Doors start opening. You need to start opening some doors also. Try something new with your new super powers.

Inline skating. No problemo (wear the wrist guards and pads if you're gonna shred city streets).

Surfing. No problemo (learn the rules, start with smaller surf).

Climbing. No problemo.

Keep it sane, keep it safe. But yeah, get out there and use your new you.

Experience this life you  are living.

Absorb the flavors of life.

Stop reading blogs and get your Ferris Beuller freak on,  J.

What To Do When You HATE Your Yoga Teacher

So there's one of the yoga teachers at your local studio, who for some reason, rubs you the wrong way. How to proceed?

Now gritting your teeth and being all determined to attend the class, and not let the yoga teacher
'get' to you, is the Western approach.

 Approaching this yogically (yes you can use that word I just made up) takes a different approach.

The yogic approach is ALL about...drum roll...

You guessed it...focus and detachment. Two yoga principles I'm always banging on about.

So how do we apply focus and detachment to our conundrum?

Firstly, you are attending class to practice asana. So that's the focal point.

You are at the class for the asana (pranayama, drishti, etc).

As long as you are in an asana, you are where you should be. Whatever the teacher says or does doesn't really matter (because you are in an asana, and that's where you should be).

Next up, you need to detach from the teacher. You see.

There is an attachment there or you wouldn't be reacting negatively.

Now the attachment is probably because you are listening to what they actually say. Don't do this.

Now, you know from previous posts that you, and only you, are your yoga teacher. Nobody can teach you yoga except yourself.

So practicing yoga is very self-empowering. In fact, you simply cannot progress to 'advanced' practice unless you have taken control and responsibility for your own yoga. This is a yogic truth, plain and simple.

Some people, who cannot make the transition to self-empowerment will languish in yoga mediocrity, until they do accept responsibility for their practice. Sad, but true.

Ok, so now you know that there really aren't any yoga teachers out there (because you are the only yoga teacher you know. I am the only yoga teacher I know).

All you are doing, by attending class, is going some place, at a certain time, and allowing another person to cue you into asana.

This is great, because you don't have to think of what asana to get into next. You can just focus on the asana you are currently in, your breath and your drishti.

Get back in there and teach yourself some yoga, J.

Why The Commercialization Of Yoga Shouldn't Worry You ...One ...Little ...Bit

Commercialized yoga is awesome. What's not to like?

There's more classes. More choice within classes. More clothes. Mats. Props. It's all happening.

Teachers are getting work. Students are getting practice. It's win win all the way.

Sometimes you hear gripes about the 'industry'. Or how 'authentic' yoga has been hijacked by Western consumerism. ...ism shcmism.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the commercialization of yoga.

At the end of the day you decide how far you are going to take this journey.

Not the person teaching you.

Not the people in class with you.

And not the shiny, totally feng shui, new yoga centre that's opened up, in the high class shopping centre, across from work, or down the road from home. In fact.

When you get serious about this practice, all the commercialization fades.

You become your own teacher.

That last sentence is so true. When it happens - and it will happen if you keep practicing - there's nothing anybody can say or do that will alter your path. Not only that.

You'll practice whether there're classes or not.

You'll progress even if the 'teacher' says the wrong thing.

In fact, you'll be able to tell if they are saying the wrong thing instinctively. AND you'll treat it as a distraction to be registered but not reacted to. Yoga is that awesome.

Now, if you are a teacher, and 'it's' happened and you are looking back at a class of high fashion, hipster wankers. Remember.

You might have been one of those wankers back in the day. So all is not lost.

Focus on giving quality instruction. And keep on giving it as long as people keep on coming.

Hipster students, nazi yoga teachers, centers everywhere. So much opportunity to practice physical and spiritual yoga.

Modern yoga is freakin' fantastic, J.

Can Yoga Change Your Personality?

There's a couple of different levels of yoga. This isn't level 1, 2 or primary, secondary, etc.

The levels I'm talkin' about go along these lines...

Asana

Asana with breath

Asana with breath and focus

Now, right about here, things start to get interesting. You see.

Yoga beyond this point doesn't just change you physically, from here onwards, yoga changes you as a person.

Think of yoga in terms of how much it has penetrated you. So maybe think in terms of layers.

Asana penetrates your skin and muscles. It's physical.

The breath penetrates deeper.

Beyond the breath, the penetration is at the emotional level.

So What Happens When Yoga Starts Changing You AS A PERSON?

The good news is that it's all win for you. You see

If yoga starts to change you and you are not living a destructive lifestyle, then it will enhance your existing relationships.

If yoga starts to change you and you are living a destructive lifestyle, then it will guide you away from destructive influences and it will replace them with constructive relationships.

Kinda gives new meaning to the word surrender doesn't it, J.

Who Wins Out Of An Argument Between Yoga Knowledge And Western Knowledge?

In the western world, knowledge is the accumulation of facts (roughly defined).

In the yoga world, knowledge is the accumulation of energy, purification, empowerment and uplifting.

So western knowledge is all about knowing external things. What is gravity? What does a skin cancer look like?

Yoga knowledge is all about knowing your physical and internal self. How well do I feel? Why do I get angry about that?

Western knowledge is an inactive knowledge, held in data and books. The more data and books, the more knowledge.

Yoga knowledge is an active knowledge, held within your body. The more energy and the more you know your physical and internal self, the more knowledge.

Western wisdom is the successful application of knowledge (facts to things).

Yoga wisdom is the application of things we know (knowledge) are good for us, and the avoidance of things we know (more knowledge) are bad for us.

We are on the same journey. This is just stuff to know along the way, J

Don't Be A Yoga DOUCHE

Woo hoo...just discovered photos.

Ok, is the dude in the pic a yoga douche? And yes, there is a right answer.

How'd you go?

Ok...here's the right answer... the guy is not a douche if he falls out of the pose. You see.

If he falls out of the pose, then he's practicing.

Now if he nails it, and he knows he's gonna nail it, then unfortunately, yes he is a douche.

Practicing hard stuff, so you will one day nail it, is legit. In fact.

You should be riding that edge with the majority of your practice.

Getting yourself all warmed up and loose, and then not using that to your advantage, to push an envelope somewhere, is just practicing mediocrity.

Of course, then there are those times where it's just fun to put on your fave playlist and rock to anything that comes up.

Doing hard stuff you know you're gonna nail though (esp in front of a class), is just showing off (douche).

Don't be a douche, J.

OMMG (OM My God) : Vibrating Your Way To A Better Practice

I just noticed that the title could be totally misinterpreted... bonus :)

This is gonna be trippy, so queue your fave Doors or Bob Marley jam...

You know how an orchestra conductor uses a tuning fork at the start of the symphony?

The fork produces a tone - a vibration. All the musos tune in, and away they go.

Well, the vibration of Om, well... it is yoga. Say what? True story, and no, I haven't been tokin' up.

Remember in a prev post how we determined that yoga is the stilling of the mind?

Well, what is the stilling of the mind exactly? Answer: it's a vibration. The vibration of Om.

Think of life as vibrations (you were warned that this was gonna be trippy).

In your hectic life, the vibrations are fast, high, low. They switch frequencies all the time. The more crazy your life, the more the vibrations swing about.

Now Om is a long, strong, low, deep, slow vibration. It is very calming (remember: yoga is the stilling of the mind).

So when you Om at the start of class, make it a vibration in your chest.

Tune into it and modulate you breath with the frequency. Also, focus your mind on the vibration. I know this sounds like a crock, but it actually works.

Now, remember this all starts as soon as the Om finishes. You should be tuned in and ready to roll.

Deep, modulated breath and focus at the frequency of Om will take you deeper into poses and you will hold harder poses longer.

It'll make your balances steadier and hair grow on your chest. Ok, not the last bit. That was a test to see if you're still awake.

Gimme a freakin' break...you try to make a post about Omming interesting. This shite is hard.

Om on, J.