My Yoga Experience

My yoga experience...it has been interesting, to say the least. I was actually really looking foward to taking this class. I was not disappointed. I had no prior knowledge of yoga or many of the things that we had learned about this semester. When beginning my practice I really thought I was going to have a lot of trouble with the postures, but that wasn't the case for the most part. The exception being the head and shoulder stands for the most part, as well as a few others. 
We talked about yoga and ritual. Ritual in nature itself and how the space we practiced in could also be ritualized. To me, I feel that yes yoga is a ritual, or it can be depending on the person. Obviously, this would not pertain very much to those who use it as a physical fitness routine. For those that use it as a spiritual means or as part of a spiritual practice, it would definitely be considered a ritual. The space you practice in could be ritual in nature as well. Yet again not if it looks like a fancy gym for those classes that focus on the physical fitness aspect. For places that use it in a spiritual sense the way they decorate, or the music they could pick would give a ritual feel. For example, the Hindu Temple that I spoke about going to in one of my previous journal entries. 
The physical culture of yoga is very much alive. Especially here in the U.S., It has been turned into a way to make money more than anything. That can easily be seen in the multitude of clothing brands that focus solely on yoga attire. The various props that you can buy that have become highly over priced. Also, the amount of videos and books that a person can buy is crazy. 
Throughout the semester we had a chance to try out various styles of yoga, as well as a meditation technique. I enjoyed getting to try each of them. Although if I had to pick I think that in class Iyengar was probably my favorite. The props were really helpful. Especially for me because I'm not very flexible. Overall though I would have to say my favorite was Yin Yoga. Which is the style that Stevee taught us in her class on Tuesday nights on campus at the Lodge. I liked that the most because it seemed to incorporate various poses from all the different styles that we had tried in class. I also liked that it is less strenouos than some of the other styles. For me, as a beginner, I think it made me feel more comfortable starting out with that style as opposed to say something like Bikram or Ashtanga. 
Yoga as a community is an easy thing to see. Everyone wants to feel as though they are a part of something. When it comes to yoga its the same. The large classes where everyone seems to know each other make it even easier to spot. When people develop a sense of community it makes them want to continue doing yoga so they can spend time with their community. 
We also talked about yoga as a medicine and as a treatment for addictions and mental illness. As an actual medicine that can treat an illness or cure a disease I just can't believe. Even though some of the texts we read this semester said that it was possible to cure all illnesses with yoga I don't beleive it. As far as using it as a treatment for addictions and mental illnesses I beleive it could be implemented. Not as a sole treatment though, and not in all cases. I believe it could be used as part of a balanced treatment program that incorporates other things such as medicines and therapy. 
The last thing that we tried was a meditation practice. I did find it interesting. Although, I have a hard time not fidgeting and get easily distracted. Meditation for me just didn't really seem like a relaxing thing. Mostly because I was too worried about trying to stay focused on the actual meditation. As far as using yoga as a form of meditation. I think this could be done. Especially if it's one of the various breath work practices. 
Overall, I think taking this class was really fun and informative. I think that yoga has many uses that range from spiritual to physical. I also think that it has become somewhat of an overly commercilized cash cow. At the end of the day though yoga is never going to be or mean the same thing for any two people, and as long as you go into it with an open mind and find the right teacher it can be an amazing experience.