Yoga May Not Be For You
After reading my title, I know that I may upset quite a lot of people. If that is the case, I hope you will join us again one day. For those who are sticking it out to read to the end, I thank you!
I recently read (and listened and watched) Dr. Brene Brown's book Atlas to the Heart. In it, she spoke about selling "Snake Oil". Now I am as passionate as all hell about healing trauma.
Anyone who hears me will say, "ENOUGH, we know people need to listen to their bodies! WE GET IT"But I am very cautious about saying a single modality will cure all trauma. This is because many factors play into healing, and I never felt there is ONE end-all and be-all to healing. That is the reason our center offers loads of options for people to begin their healing journey!
When I see a claim that this ONE path is the cure or antidote, I don't feel safe in my body. Instead, I feel a sense of mistrust and an unsettle in my nervous system. This is because people are multileveled, and there are many intersections in their lives. They have had many experiences that have led them to where they are today.
ONE SIZE WILL NEVER FIT ALL. It is impossible, and quite frankly, if I could be so bold, I feel it is condescending.
With that...I do not think yoga is for:
Those who are not ready yet to tune in to their bodies. It may be too frightening for them to listen to their bodies while moving or meditating. Forcing people into this action does more harm than good.
Those who have a hard time with personal introspection.Yoga is all about looking at our current actions and behaviors and seeing where we can shift to have more ease. This is very difficult for some people and takes time to do either by choice or by past instances of trauma. Sometimes change is not a viable option for some people.
People who hate yoga. Some had a bad experience and want nothing to do with it. Either a teacher shamed or hurt them, or the class was not their cup of tea. Yoga makes them shudder with disgust due to their past experiences.
People dealing with narcissism. This is often a trauma response, but they have a challenging time in yoga class as they will come from a place of judgment, perfection, and shame. These situations will often keep them in their difficult thoughts and cognitions and disconnect them from their bodies and community. For these people, I understand why yoga and meditation may not be the place they seek out for healing.
I know we would help these people feel safe and comfortable enough to try yoga or return to yoga. But to pressure or push them into yoga and meditation classes seems incredibly insensitive.
On the flip side, yoga IS for people:
Who feel safe enough in their bodies to move through their thoughts and emotions. For some people 100% safe is impossible, that is why we use the word enough. We invite people to explore their emotions in our classes and not "blank out" their minds. WHO CAN EVEN DO THAT? (That is a serious question. If you can do that, message me as I want to know how)
Who want to use yoga as a vehicle for change. They utilize the space and time to open their minds and explore new areas in their lives and their communities. They take advantage of the clarity to make shifts.
With that in mind, these people also want more from life. They may have been going, going, and then COVID hit. Their coping mechanisms of keeping busy came to a halting stop. They were faced with the fact that the "ability to produce" could not define their worth any longer. They knew they had to find something else, something different. They just want more. They know something much bigger is out there for them; they didn't know how to get there. Yoga and meditation can be their doorway into this new world.
Who want more space and time for freedom in their lives. So they work to carve out time for themselves. Even if it is just 90 minutes a week, they will utilize those 90 minutes to the fullest!
Who want a safer, more equitable world. We CONSTANTLY talk about how yoga is love and inclusivity. They have the opportunity to engage in conversation and thoughtful meditation and feel a part of a bigger collective of like-minded people. Yoga is meant to be so inclusive that no one ever feels left out. These people want to create and live in this world.
Who may have felt as though they DID NOT fit in, in other spaces. We are working to redefine what yoga looks and feels like. We want people to understand that Asana (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali defines Asana as a shape that is steady and comfortable...nothing else) is only 1/8th of the limbs of yoga! When people see me, I think I shock them a bit. "How can your body do those yoga poses?" We want to change that mindset of who is "allowed" into yoga spaces. We make people feel welcome and wanted in our space.
Who are compassionate. Grace is a massive component of practicing yoga—Self-compassion and compassion towards others. We operate from the idea that people are doing the best they can. Grace and compassion are two pillars of our work on and off the mat.
Whew, this idea has been swirling around in me for YEARS, I was just too afraid to write it out of fear of rejection. But channeling our family's favorite character, Mitsy, doing things that scare us is an opportunity to be brave.
Outlining everything above made me tear up thinking about the community we are building and how much we genuinely care about our members.
In our space, we curse, we joke, we cry, we share, and we ask. Of course, all parts of us are welcome.
We hope that those who may have been turned off to yoga and meditation come on their own accord and time. They know what is best for them. What we do is show up authentically and with imperfections so that people feel they can do the same thing in our yoga studio and the world they live. When they are ready to come, Peace of Mind will welcome them with open arms and hearts.
Thanks for reading to the end! It means a lot to me. Something tells me that you are with us in the latter category of yogis. 🙂
If you are looking for a welcoming space for you, schedule your free studio tour. Get to meet the staff, experience the environment, and get a feel for yourself. I am confident you will feel like our space is yours. Click here to schedule your time! I look forward to seeing you soon!