Follow us:
  • Home
  • Testimonials
  • Yoga Videos
  • Blog
  • Calendar and Class Times
  • Contact Us

I'm not flexible

1/25/2015

0 Comments

 
In the past few years of diving into yoga, time and time again when asking others to join me or try it- the number one  excuse people give for not trying yoga is  "I'm not flexible." 

Although usually I smile, and simply explain- you don't need to be, what I really want to say is "Then maybe yoga isn't for you."

Because in order to try yoga, a millimeter of you needs to be flexible, OK not in the physical way but in some way you need to be flexible.

Your ego will need a little flexibility...

In yoga, you're not always going to look good.  Some poses may come easy, but there are times you will look awkward or out of sync.

There are times when the person next to you is going to get a pose, and you aren't. 

In yoga, you won't always be balanced.  You may fall over, you might fall on your face.  Your arms and legs may flail.  

You'll have to be flexible because- your balance is often different from day to day- depending on your day.  

Even when you've done yoga for awhile, you won't always be right.  The way your mind "thinks" you should look in a pose, or the way your ego convinces you that you are able to do a more challenging posture- may not be the right way for your body.

The nice thing is the person flailing or falling  next to you appreciates the authenticity of the body. The person next to you is learning to balance, adjust and play also.  And all though they may enjoy your company, their practice is not about you.  

And after awhile, you learn to appreciate your new found "flexibility." You will stay on your mat. You'll find success in postures. You enjoy not beating yourself up for your body's fluctuations, you may even find them to be helpful and part of the practice.   You start realizing that your perceived imperfections are just that - perceived. 

And that the fear of "looking good" is often what keeps you from starting something in the first place.

You begin to experience the freedom that comes with your new "flexibility." The freedom to try new things, to connect with others, to play fearlessly.

And sometimes what you find is not what you expect.  What is around the corner for you in yoga is sometimes unpredictable, and may be unpredictably wonderful. 

You may end up being somewhat flexible (physically). 

You may even end up being able to touch your toes.  But by then, you won't care. 
Because it won't be as important to you as your new insight, your new growing flexibility with yourself and others.

Not flexible?  A perfect reason to try yoga.




0 Comments

Fear of Falling got Ya? Learn from a kid...

1/24/2015

0 Comments

 
As a classroom teacher and a yoga instructor, I am again and again overwhelmed with pride for how often young people are willing to take a challenge, “sweat” it out and succeed. 

Side note:This year, I've been blessed to have the opportunity to teach my own child.  

Last night as my son and I were reviewing for a Greek/Latin Root Word quiz I was giving to my class the next day, my husband (Math Teacher) was listening from the kitchen.  When my son left the room after studying, my husband tip-toed in and whispered-  “That’s hard!” with wide eyes. “I’m not sure I could do that!” (my husband is very humble, I’m sure if he studied he could. :)

But I do know, this Greek and Latin word study work we are doing in class is designed to challenge each student.

This morning, my son woke up “beaming” with pride over the fact he could say every word for his quiz without pausing and claimed he knew he was ready (last week was a different story, yes I let him learn the hard way). 

Then, on the way to school he told me he never believed studying every night would truly make a difference.  But it does, (score one for mom :) He hadn't studied every night last week and had not performed well on the quiz. 

What I’m learning from all my students (and my own son)-  we can embrace challenges.  And when at first we don't succeed, we don't need to "punish" ourselves or beat ourselves up for it. We cannot back down and quit when we are faced with opportunities to become better at something.   We shouldn't turn away if at first we don't succeed. 

Kids are the best at embracing challenges and allowing themselves to sometimes fall and get back up!  

Life provides these opportunities for growth in this way, and if we can avoid harsh judgment or punishment (of ourselves or others) when at first we don't succeed- we can be open to the greatness that can be achieved through hard work, perseverance and renewed self confidence. 

I am so blessed to be in the company of the students I teach on and off the mat. 

And, although it is hard for a mother (teacher) to watch her child struggle sometimes.  I do recognize that it is in struggle that we learn.  

When it is OK to fall down and get back up- we grow.  

I’m glad for our family, we are learning this as our children are younger- hope it will prepare us for the future.

Are you afraid to embrace a challenge? What's the worst that can happen? If you fall, will you get back up?

Try a yoga class. When exploring what it is about a great yoga class does for me recently, I realized, it allows me the opportunity to try and fail. To play like a child with my balance and flexibility, getting my feet over my head or just simply laying in "child's" pose.  I've literally fallen on my face and gotten back up only to hear my yoga instructor remind me, everybody does it, now get back up and try it again.  Your mat is your support, your safe place.  Why not give it a try?


0 Comments

"The greatest prison people choose, is the fear of what others think of them..."

1/3/2015

0 Comments

 
"The Greatest Prison people choose to live in is the Fear of what Others think of Them..."
My first yoga class was not that long ago.  

I was so fearful, fearful of what it would be like, whether or not I had the correct outfit on (I didn't), whether or not I brought the right stuff (I didn't), whether I would be able to follow the instructions of the instructor (I only sort of could).  Fear of what the other people I encountered, more experienced and knowledgeable about yoga, would think of me.
I walked myself into a hot yoga class in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, armed with an old, dusty yoga mat I purchased at a garage sale. 
I remember the instructor asking me if I had taken yoga before and responding with "I did a P90x yoga video and took a class once at a YMCA."  
Her reply didn't come till halfway through class after what seemed like my 58th updog/downdog-
"Not your typical gym class, huh Amy?"

I fell instantly in love.

With her, with the feeling of coming to my edge, with being so out of my element, that I couldn't care what other people thought of me.  
I look back nowand know the freedomthat first yoga class brought into my life.  
I knew no one in the class. My husband was working, kids were at school, and all my friends family were somewhere the like.  
I was alone with my mat in a room of people that were completely enthralled with what the physiological change they were experiencing on their mat. 
In a room full of people, I was alone and free, to play, to mess up, fall down and get back up...
To try this thing called yoga. 
And, I kept going back. 

Amy KreiderRYT 200hrFollow her on Facebook, or read her blog on: akyogabliss.weebly.com







0 Comments

    Author

    Amy Kreider is a mom, a yoga instructor and a classroom teacher. She's lived in Ohio all her life, but enjoys vacationing in the mountains. 

    Picture

    Archives

    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.