My Yoga is Better than your Yoga

I have a confession to make. I ate at Subway today. Despite what the lovely Food Babe says about Jared's favorite sandwich shop, I still believe that when faced with a choice between McDonald's, or Subway, with just a few minutes to rescue my blood sugar between meetings, "eating fresh" is actually just a little bit healthier. Even if the veggies aren't organic.  The line moved slowly, so I had plenty of time to study the menu and think about what Food Babe would order if she was given a life or death ultimatum and had to eat a meal at Subway, or be forced to walk the plank. Genetically modified soy veggie patty, or processed cheese slab made with hormone filled dairy? I was distracted by the gentleman ahead of me ordering Sriracha sauce on his meatball sub. He looked sad and his suit was tragically ill fitted. I wondered if he worked on a commission basis at the mobile phone shop next door, or perhaps he had just come from a job interview?  Did he suffer a sleepless night feeling anxious about the interview, and wake up extra early to put on the only suit he had ever owned imagining he looked super professional, when in reality he looked like a guy who works at a mobile phone cart at the mall and pours hot sauce on his meatballs? It was about then, after I ruled out Sriracha sauce as a Food Babe approved condiment, that I noticed how shiny my iridescent clogs were under the fluorescent lights. 

I really intended to wear black heels with my sweater dress this morning, but when it came down to it I just refused to sacrifice my comfort and went with my teacher clogs.  I was sure the program officer I met with earlier to pitch the organization I manage to her foundation, did a double take when she noticed my opal Danskos.  On my way to my car after the meeting I considered what she was thinking when she studied my shoes. Was she applauding my practicality, and wishing she had a pair just like mine? Or, was she thinking I looked less than professional and was in need of executive coaching? I suddenly felt a bond with the sad looking Sriracha sauce man at Subway and his failed fictional job interview. Maybe we were both a bit out of our league, drowning our sorrows in bread made from yoga mats. 

I have been feeling a little judgmental lately. Of myself, and of others, but as judgement usually goes, mostly of myself. Sure... I might distract my mind trips from obsessing over what feels wrong in my universe by proclaiming what is wrong with everyone else, but judgement is judgement. It is a very human moment when we suffer from the illusion that we are separate  Separate from our neighbors. Separate from our earth.Separate from our souls. In fact, often it is our most effective strategy for creating this very illusion of separateness that advaita vedanta urges us to reconsider. Observing differences between "us" and "them" is what makes you & me "us", and those guys "them". Bonus points if we can layer a value judgement ontop of these observations. Being better is like being separate supercharged. Super separate.

I have been thinking this week about ways to connect with more yoga students. As I have meditated on what yoga is to me, and what styles I most like to practice and teach, I have caught myself cycling through all kinds of judgments about what yoga is and is not. Now, before I say some things here that might make me seem either totally unenlightened, or perhaps yogier than though,  I would like to state for the record that I sincerely believe that yoga is yoga. It really doesn't matter if you define it like Patanjali defines it in the yoga sutras: Yogas-citta-vrtti-nirodhah, or yoga is the cessation of mental modifications. Or, if you go with the simplier Yoga is union explanation as to why people like to stand on their heads, sometimes in rooms heated to be over 100 degrees. I have heard dozens of poetic and insightful answers to the question, "What is yoga?" Maybe the only thing that we can say decisively is that yoga is not Yoda. But, actually that is even debatable. Yoda is a true yogi. Just like Kung Foo Panda after him. But, what I am getting at when I say that yoga is yoga, is that no matter how you define it, this twist yourself up like a pretzel stuff is the same no matter what style of yoga you practice. It doesn't matter if you adore your Ashtanga inspired practice that leaves you feeling like you got a great work-out, or if you are really into a sweet restorative practice that prepares you for a good sleep. The same basic asanas are weaved throughout all different styles of sequencing, and more importantly they are practiced with shared intentions. Calming the mind, keeping the body supple (ready for meditation), and cultivating joy. So, yoga is yoga. And, so is Yoda. 

Now, look at the schedule at any of the many beautiful yoga studios in your community and this assumption might be challenged. There are hundreds of different class names, a wide variety of yoga schools and certifications, and even some styles of yoga that share a specific title can feel wildly different depending on who the teacher is and how you come to your mat on a given day. I think this is actually one of the things I most like about yoga. It can express in so many ways, and this gives all of us equal access to the transformative power of a yoga practice. It also allows us to stay dedicated to our practice even when our bodies/hearts/lives change. Change is the rule of nature. Staying anchored in the practice no matter what is happening around us, or within us, is when those mad Yoda skills are really put to the test. 

What I was confronted with this week as I thought about my own style of teaching, is that there sometimes seems to be a line in the sand between yoga that feels more athletic, and yoga that identifies as being more spiritual. I get that. I really do. I have practiced (quite a bit) at Corepower Yoga where the teachers encourage students to push harder, and also (equally quite a bit) at ashrams in India where the Swamis emphasize proper relaxation between each posture. I can honestly say that as different as the cues and the environments sometimes are, these practices share more in common with each other than they differ from each other. What I think is exciting about this moment in time, is that so many people are learning about yoga. People that wouldn't have such opportunities if there weren't so many "yogas" to choose from. 

However... and there is no easy way to say this...sometimes even us yogis can get judgemental about our yoga. I have done it. I have caught myself thinking that the teacher with the loudest rock and roll play list at the yoga with weights class I go to when I am feeling I need to fit into my favorite black dress has no idea what yoga really is. I have also found myself feeling bored and wanting the teacher to shut the f___ up during very meditative classes with Sanskrit scholars. After doing time on both sides of the imaginary line, and indulging in such very human my yoga is better than your yoga thoughts, I would like to share with you the following, possibly surprising truths. 

"Power Yoga" is not harder than "Hatha Yoga"

Maybe you knew this already. Maybe you are ready to get your index cards out and debate me until I change my mind. I am not denying that there are some poses that are more difficult for beginners, or that there isn't a way to do yoga that gets the heart pumping faster than other ways to do yoga. What I am going to tell you is that I have experienced equal benefits in my body from both approaches, and (gasp) no matter how hot the room, or how many chatturangas you fit in between asanas, they both work the body at about the same level. I have faithfully worn my BodyFit armband, which measures level of exertion and how many calories are being burned during activity, and there is very little difference between an hour of power yoga and an hour of holding slow steady postures. An hour of yoga generally burns between 200 and 300 calories. More precisely, for me, I have found that the range between my slowest paced practice and most athletic heated practice is between 220 and 270 calories. It took me a long time before I believed this was true. I didn't want it to be true. I wrote to BodyMedia asking if I was doing something wrong, or if the heat interferes with the reading. No, the readings were accurate and repeated time and time again. Anecdotally, as someone who has struggled with my weight since I was a child, I can report to you that I have lost more weight when I am consistent with my meditation practice than when I work up a sweat. Evidence that the greatest benefits of yoga have more to do with the subtle energetic effects than the the impact on the physical body. I think the truth is that when we are doing yoga, we approach the practice seeking balance. Balance between building endurance and practicing with a calm mind. So, no matter what the practice, when we do yoga we naturally find exactly where we need to be. Where we need to be is the same, no matter where we are. 

Yoga doesn't have to be spiritual to be SPIRITful

I have probably witnessed more judgement of the athletic focused yogis by the ashram jet set than the other way around. The statement THAT isn't REAL yoga is an easy thing to say. I love om om oming just as much as much as the next bhakti yogini (I mean, I really really love getting my kirtan on! I do!), and for me incorporating prayer and spiritual teachings into a yoga class is what makes yoga sacred. But, just because a yoga teacher is not talking about Hindu gods and burning incense doesn't mean spirit is not present in the room. I have enjoyed some of my most wonderful inner journeys in yoga classes where there is no talk of anything outside of how hard the abdominal muscles are being worked in preparation for swimsuit season. I think this is because when nobody is leading the soul searching for me, my spiritual practice becomes my responsibility. It becomes deeply personal and internal. It took me years to get to a place where I was receptive to the Hare Krishnas. When I first started to learn yoga I took classes in gyms and recreation centers. If I had landed at the uber spiritual yoga studios when I first began, I might not have ever discovered how much I enjoyed yoga. Spirituality is an exploration of self and our relationship with the universe. There are as many ways to express that relationship as there are individuals living in this time and space. Yoga, no matter where it is practiced, allows us to find our best self. The story of how Ganesha got his elephant head in the process, should not be required reading. 

I am not sharing these insights to convince you that you should practice yoga one way or the other, or that you should try to practice yoga differently than you have been. You should practice the kind of yoga you most enjoy, in an environment where you are comfortable, and with a teacher who inspires you. The most important thing about yoga is that you actually do yoga. So, please seek out teachers and styles that you love love love. I am suggesting that if you have convinced yourself that a certain type of yoga is not for you because it lacks something you have decided is most important, it might be worth trying it again and checking your assumptions at the door. Mix-it up a little. You might be surprised at what you find.

 And if you ever come across a yoga class taught by Yoda, by all means go! No matter what the class is called. 

Two poses I am thinking about this week as I think about what all yoga styles share:

Surya Namaskar, Sun Salutation -- I think sun salutations are amazing because an entire yoga practice is contained within the basic movements, which can be practiced more quickly, to get some cardiovascular exercise, or practiced more slowly to work on muscle tone. The sun salutation also keeps the spine in excellent condition by alternating between forward and backward bending. The movements of the traditional sun salutation are really a springboard for vinyasa sequences, and also an important part of warming up the body in traditional hatha yoga practices. 

Pachimottanasana, Seated Forward Bend -- I first practiced this asana in sixth grade gym class. It is an asana that seems deceptively simple, but when held for longer amounts of time can feel like the most challenging asana there is. I have found the secret to this asana is truly surrendering to the posture, much like surrendering the ego is the secret to a truly advanced yoga practice. This asana holds a place of honor in virtually all "brands" of yoga sequencing and styles of practice. 

Oogway: My friend, the panda will never fulfill his destiny, nor you yours, until you let go of the illusion of control.Shifu: Illusion?Oogway: Yes. Look at this tree, Shifu. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me, nor make it bear fruit before it's time.Shifu: But there are things we can control. [Kicks the tree causing several peaches to fall] I can control when the fruit will fall. [One hits him on the head. Oogway chuckles] And I can control... [Tosses the peach in the air and chops it in half] ...where to plant the seed. [Punches a hole in the ground and catches the seed] That is no illusion, Master. [Throws the seed into the hole]Oogway: Ah, yes. But no matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.                                                           - Kung Foo Panda