My Response When Someone Says They Don't Like Yoga

I wanted to chat quickly about when someone says they "don't like" or "don't do" yoga.

Fun fact: I discovered yoga on my own through Seventeen magazine in the late 90s. I took my first yoga class in college, and it was a mix of reading and prayer with some poses. Respect for the lineage was the sole focus, as my teachers had recently studied in Mumbai, India.

Most of my friends do not practice yoga.

As another white yoga teacher, I struggle with not making my practice solely based on asana or the physical component because that is, unfortunately, what has become mainstream in Western culture and what "sells."

I see it as similar to not promoting intentional weight loss; I will not continue to perpetuate systems that uphold white supremacy and profit off the backs of Black and Brown folks only to showcase (typically) thin, Caucasian folks and create a "pose hierarchy" or when someone more flexible is supposedly "better" at yoga.

Although yoga is an Eastern cultural practice that dates back thousands of years, it has sometimes evolved to exclude some of the other seven limbs to make it more inclusive for all. It's a beautiful practice when we ensure everyone can show up for themselves and how they lead their lives without necessarily including asana.

Some examples:

The Yamas (restraints):

• Ahimsa (non-harming)

• Satya (truthfulness)

• Asteya (non-stealing)

• Brahmacharya (non-excess)

• Aparigraha (non-grasping)

The Niymas (observances):

• Saucha (moral observance of cleanliness)

• Santosha (contentment)

• Tapas (self-discipline)

• Swadhyaya (the practice of self-study)

• Shvara Pranidhana (complete surrender or devotion to our higher selves)

• Pranayama (the practice of controlling our breath and allowing it to expand).

• Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) guided relaxation and yoga nidra (yogic sleep)

• Dharana (concentration)

• Dhyana (meditation)

• Samadhi (feeling one with all that exists in the universe)

If you're looking for a good read, The Yamas and the Niyamas is a book I go back to repeatedly, and I am always learning something new. It's laid out to be gone through in 10 months (one month for each yama or niyama) and is an easy read.

As you can see, being a person who gives back to your community is yoga.
Standing up for others is yoga.
Being aware of other's feelings and listening is yoga.
Knowing you need less "stuff" is yoga.
Turning inward and doing self-growth is yoga.

Etc.

I would also encourage you to find a non-asana-focused class and try yoga nidra, meditation, or a different limb of yoga to see what you glean from it.

Also, I offer one-off private sessions if you are interested. Please reply, and we can discuss this.