This piece that came out 11/17 caused a nice little discussion amongst my yoga community. You know how it starts: someone emails you an article, then you forward it, then someone talks about it and the discussion begins. The WSJ article: “Is Yoga Just Posing as a Good Workout?” really brings up the fundamental question of what is yoga and why we practice it. According to Iyengar, the Yoga Sutras, and many other stalwarts of traditional yogic philosophy, we do yoga in order to prepare for meditation. The twisting and binding, pranayama and deep focus clear the mind for one thing – meditation. I always tell my students, the fit body and toned physique are really a low ad-val in the yogic space. But that blissed out, calm and serene space you feel after a really challenging class, is really why we come to the mat. And addressing this article fairly (of course) there are all types of yoga as we know. Are you going to get a cardio challenge doing gentle yoga, a beginner’s Integral yoga class or a restorative class? Doubtful. But as a Jivamukti practitioner and former ashtanga yogi, the combination of breath and movement, sometimes non-stop for 40 - 90 minutes, definitely gets the heart pumping and pushes your body to new extremes. Yoga will never be running or cycling, but it’s not supposed to be. But with a strong vinyasa practice, I challenge someone not to find the cardio benefits there. But alas, it’s balance, doing what’s right for your body and remembering what yoga is all about. Breathe, go inside, be present. Love to hear your thoughts on this article.

Om Shanti,

Michelle


Posted under: Personal Growth, Spirituality, Yoga