Is capitalism creating a “yoga monster?”Are we creating a culture of detachment rather than connection? Are the “yoga markets” saturated? Are the new businesses opening solving a problem, or creating one? Are we serving ourselves more than considering each other? How can we return to a state of interconnection, collaboration and harmony?  Too Much is Too MuchRecent conversations between myself and clients have included this statement. They've asked, "If I take more classes, will it make me better faster?" If only wellbeing worked that way. Yes, it's good to attend self care practices on a regular basis, but attending two or more classes in a row or classes every day of the week isn't necessarily going to heal or improve your circumstances more quickly. In fact, you could end up injuring yourself or creating other issues. When it comes to wellness, moderation and harmony are the keys. Your practice of self care is yours, alone, but finding your way can be easier if you’re given some guidance. Finding a guide who understands that your needs are unique and who is able to provide support and guidance based upon the philosophies of yoga may not be easy. The “yoga scene” has changed a lot. Yoga studios are beginning to feel more like gyms; offering hour long active movement classes. Gyms are offering “yoga classes” that incorporate weights or HIIT. People posing in postures on Instagram are getting paid to do so and garner huge followings. People are flocking to the hottest new studio and busiest classes. Are they doing so for themselves or to be seen? Are they practicing yoga? For whom are they doing this; for themselves or to be like someone else?  Yoga on Every CornerThere’s been a boom of people who have attended a yoga teacher training in the past few years. Not only are there more people claiming to be teachers, there are more who misunderstand what it means to be a yoga practitioner. Any yogi or yogini will tell you that the key to yoga can’t be found in an instagram photo. While the asana, or posturing has become a symbol for yoga, it is not the only aspect of the practice. You can attend classes during which you’ll be instructed through a variety of postures at wineries, libraries, on beaches, at breweries, in mental health facilities and even detention centers. While you don’t need to visit a yoga studio to engage in or experience the practices of yoga, there is a reason why they exist: they are space designed and intended for accessing yoga. From the interior design to the intentions set before and after every practice, a yoga studio is a special place with a unique energy. A yoga teacher is not a fitness instructor. A yoga class is not a workout. While you may move and sweat, the ultimate intention of yoga is to help you know yourself so you can effect changes to be your best self. Wellness, wellbeing and self care are the roots of the practice. After a yoga session you should feel as though you have done some serious self care and have a desire to continue to incorporate what you learned into your life.  Competition vs CollaborationI belong to a few groups that discuss the struggles of being a yoga studio owner and teachers. Asteya and ahimsa are two of the primary practices of yoga, but it seems as though they are being ignored and overlooked when it comes to the world of offering yoga through a business. Stories of teachers using studios without permission, collecting client information, undercutting each other, opening competing studios and more are plentiful. The overhead of running a studio includes not only rent, but also utilities, a booking system, credit card processing, advertising, marketing, payroll and more. Small studios run by teachers who have years of experience are struggling to stay in business as franchises and gym-like centers open nearby offering lower prices and with financial backing that can cover the overhead costs. Yoga is supposed to be a practice of collaboration and connection. It seems, though, that the business of offering yoga is creating a culture of competition. This is resulting in behaviors of mistrust, secrecy, isolation and separation.  Vinyasa, Hot, Iyengar, Goat. . .YogaYou can put any words you want together. You can put any things you want together; Milkshakes and french fries, wings and ranch, gin and tonic are all things that people enjoy. Not all things are good when brought together and, when combined, sometimes the roots or basis can be lost. For example; milk and lemon. When combined, the two yield buttermilk and there’s no way to go back to the originals. When the word yoga is added to an activity, sometimes the yogic aspect is lost. To say “vinyasa yoga” is to create union through intentional sequence. Hot yoga is creating union through heat. Iyengar yoga means union through Iyengar (what?) and goat yoga is to create union through goats (uh, huh?). Is this making sense? We could keep going and say everything is yoga, which is true, if you practice yoga, but just saying something is, doesn’t make it so. So, maybe you’re thinking about practicing french fry yoga, chicken yoga and wine yoga. Everyone should practice in their own way, but I just don’t think that union with fries, spirits and wine is going to help you live your best life.  The Right Yoga How do you know if the yoga class you're attending is the right one for you? Ask yourself the following questions: Is the instruction clear, varied and easy to follow? Does the instructor/teacher/guide pay attention to my needs? Am I being given guidance to pay attention to more than my body?
If your answer to these questions is “yes,” then you’ve found a good teacher and practice. Yoga classes should include movement that directs your body in every direction, is accessible for everyone attending, provides variations for different needs and suggestions for connecting with your body, breath, energy, emotions and mind. The root work of yoga is yuj: to yoke or join. To practice yoga is to access yoga. How do we do so? Through observation, direction, body awareness, intentional breathing, focus, mindfulness and integration. Wherever you begin and whatever path you move upon, if you’re engaging in these practices, you’re moving toward yoga. Returning to the original question; is there too much yoga? I’ve begun to wonder if maybe there isn’t enough.
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We all know that the only way to truly prepare for Winter sports is to get out there and do them. Whether you are heading to Heavenly or Kirkwood, Squaw or Sierra at Tahoe, Yoga Asana and Pranayama as well as mindful practices can help you to feel strong, safe and aware while out on the snow. Try out these simple practices to help you enjoy this year's season. You won't regret it.  Backcountry Poser 1) Asana (Poses) There are many Yoga asana (poses) that can help you to strengthen as well as recover from your day out on the slopes. An experienced and knowledgeable instructor will be able to guide you through theses poses and teach you how to use them in a way that helps you prepare for your day out, then release afterward. To Prepare: Yudrasana (Lunge) - raising and lowering between high and low lunges. Deviasana (Goddess) - holding, and also shifting your upper body from side-to-side. Virabhadrasana Dvi (Warrior Two) - holding, as well as rotating. To Recover: Parsvottanasana - intense side stretch. Supta Virasana - reclined hero Svastikasana - auspicious pose/reclined twist variation  Ski Day with SOS Outreach 2) Pranayama (Conscious Breath) If you’re heading out to the resort you are unlikely to be the only one doing so. You can prepare for and remain relaxed while sharing the mountain by applying a simple breathing techniques. Not only will they help you to remain calm and patient in lift lines. Pranayama practices can also help you to reduce stress levels while you are out and about traveling and visiting the area. Victorious/Powerful Breathing (Ujjayi): Breathe in and out of your nose only. Constrict the back of your throat slightly so that your breath is audible to you, only. Feel your breath as it moves in and out of your throat. Slow your breathing down so that each inhale and exhale is as long as you can make it.  Costumed Fools 3) Dharana (Mindful Practice)We can easily become caught up in the cycle of activity and buzz around us while we are out on the slopes. There are people moving everywhere and in every direction. It’s a good idea to step out of the way, look around, and observe our circumstances every once in a while. Be sure to follow these simple mountain rules to keep yourself and others safe: -Move to the side of the trail if you need to stop for any reason. While waiting for friends, fixing your gear or taking a break, move out of the way of those who are riding. -Be considerate of others by keeping your backpack, poles and gear close to your body while moving around or riding the lift. Wear headphones if you like to listen to music and keep the volume at a level that still allows you to hear the liftee and those around you in the case that someone is trying to get your attention. -Stay in control of yourself, even if your friends are bombing down the slope ahead of you. Most of us don’t get to ski every day. Honor your abilities and be honest about how much control you really have over your board or skis. Everyone, including that 5-year-old grom crushing it on the bumps will have more fun when staying in control. On-Mountain Mindfulness: Find a spot on the side of the trail, pull up a chair, or head into the lodge and relax for a few minutes. Close your eyes and listen to the sounds around you. Enjoy the crisp air and the swish of others sliding by. To learn more about the poses, breath work and mindfulness practices that keep Jenay peaceful during Tahoe Winter visit LakeTahoeYoga.com.
As a Yoga studio, our job is to share knowledge, experience and philosophies about Yoga. Our hope is that you, our practitioners, will absorb what we share and eventually, begin to do the same. There is a middle ground, though, for all of this. You see, we all have to practice and our practice is more than just what we do in the studio. It is the generalization of the skills we learn in class into our lives. It is a lifestyle.
You are Me
Have you felt the effects of your practice? To find Yoga is to find your Self. In order to get there, you have to restrain (Yamas) your wants and observe (Niyamas) your needs. The way you treat yourself should be reflected in how you treat others. And, if you see yourself as spiritual, holy, god-loved, etc. then you will see all others in this way.
Restrain, Direct, Control
Every posture is a demonstration of the practice of Yama. We move with intention trying to retain the position prescribed in any way that our bodies are able. We can generalize this practice into our lives through the Yamas.
The Yamas are five-fold: Truth, Helping, Generosity, Moderation and Sharing. Living your life with the intention of retaining these aspects of Yoga can shift our perspective and have an effect on others. Imagine if everything you did was guided by these principals. What would you do differently? Observe, Reflect, Realize
Pranayama practices are tools designed to focus and limit our thoughts. These breathing techniques include a count of breaths, length of each, pauses between and various aspects of mudra or mantra. These techniques are the first step in establishing Niyama.
Niyama are five-fold: Purity, Contentment, Self Study, Dedication and Devotion. These practices direct our attention toward our own habits. We live life based upon memories, experiences, wants and desires. Our thoughts and actions are a demonstration of subconscious karma. To practice Niyama is to practice treating yourself well. The more you do so, the better you will treat others. 
Shift, Adjust, Change
Our continued practice of Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama ultimately leads us toward the additional four limbs: Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.
The more we live a lifestyle of Yama and Niyama, maintain our physical health through Asana and consciously breathe the less our attention will be drawn to distraction (pratyahara). Allowing ourselves opportunities to spend time alone, in quiet spaces allowing our minds to be directed by rhythmic breathing or sound vibrations, the better we become at focusing upon that which is important (dharana). Silencing the chatter of useless thoughts, detaching from toxic people and environments, recognizing that which we can control and letting things happen as they will while remaining present becomes natural (dhyana). Eventually, we will settle into contentment and recognize that we are each a tiny droplet in the ocean of the universe (samadhi). 
If you would like to learn more about the eight limbs (asta anga) and the lifestyle of Yoga join the practice with us, book a Private Session or apply to the Lake Tahoe Yoga School.
How many times have you said "I will," "I'm going to," "Soon I'll," etc.? How many times have you failed to follow through on those intentions? A famous quote that I often call upon when life frustrates me is "the only consistent thing about life is change." Our Yoga practice is all about changing. We have to be willing to create and allow change to occur.
As part of our practice of Yoga we meditate. We take the time to sit and, maybe, find silence within. For some of us the chatter can seem overwhelming and it can feel as though we will never ever find silence. I'm sure you're thinking right now, "what does she know, she teaches Yoga." Feel free to jump inside my head one day, I assure you that running a Yoga studio and working at a school does not increase my inner silence. But, my efforts have shown considerable progress. This month, as we focus on listening for our most heartfelt desire, our deepest intention, I encourage you to practice mediation. We need to be able to listen to ourselves. We need to hear our own hearts and spirits. We need to kick out the ego and the judgment and the voices of others. Take the time to listen to what's within you. You may find that change is not so hard to take. |
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Lake Tahoe Yoga Studio, School & Retreats
Discover Your Self ™
Zephyr Cove, NV, 89448
(775)580-7224
Design, Graphics and Photos by Jenay
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Lake Tahoe Yoga Studio, School & Retreats
Discover Your Self ™
Zephyr Cove, NV, 89448
(775)580-7224
Design, Graphics and Photos by Jenay
Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.
The US Copyright Act allows certain uses of content from the internet without the copyright owner’s permission. This includes uses by educational institutions and by Commonwealth and State governments, provided fair compensation is paid. For more information, see https://www.copyright.gov/title17/title17.pdf.
The owners of copyright in the content on this website may receive compensation for the use of their content by educational institutions and governments, including from licensing schemes managed by Copyright Agency.
We may change these terms of use from time to time. Check before re-using any content from this website.
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