Thanks for this lovely post @saramiller.
There is so much depth to yoga, what we see in most Western studios only scratches the surface of it. For example, in addition to the styles you mention, I could point to tantra yoga and how its hatha yoga practice combines asanas with focusing on a specific chakra. Which is a whole class of its own.
I'm glad you point to classical texts like the sutras, sometimes yoga as its presented in classes today feels a bit diluted to me. And the countless 'funny yoga styles', like goat yoga and beer yoga. All good fun, but they take attention away from what yoga can really accomplish: bring about union. Of body/mind/soul, and of our being with whatever it is that is bigger than us (I'm purposely vague here, I don't care so much about the correct 'word' to call it.)
Keep up the good work, loving your posts!
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback, @livenowandwow!! I didn't even touch on tantra in this post, that is indeed a whole new realm...
If people come for the beer but stay for the yoga, that's cool to me. I think there are always benefits to any practice any way anyone can get it, but I don't really dig classes myself and find them superficial. Some people like shallow I guess and that's fine; I think the ones who get a taste of yoga's real magic will be inspired to go deeper. A good class can totally guide a student towards that connection, but I think it's up to the student to learn to cultivate the connection within themselves rather than relying on a teacher forever. It's super cool when you know how to consciously tune into that thing that's bigger than us!
I appreciate your support, @livenowandwow!
I agree Sara, any class can be the first step of what may become a lifelong journey on the yoga path. That's also how I started. I must admit I still have my ups and downs. There are times when I practice yoga daily, and there are times when I don't for months, because, well...beer and pizza, and all that jazz .
But I always keep coming back to it. Perhaps I should attend classes to establish a routine again lol.
I'm sure we'll interact more here in the coming months, Sara. I just joined Steemit a week ago, but really liking it so far. I will be posting my 'IntroduceYourself' post shortly. Just waiting for my vid from bad ass biker Big Mike…(really excited!).
Be in touch!