What’s Your Yoga Style?
July 25, 2008 by Susan Watiker
Filed under Fitness
An interesting and liberating thought crossed my mind this morning. I have a yoga “style.” No, I don’t mean what I wear to class or to practice at home. Tim Gunn would be appalled! I’m talking about the practices we naturally gravitate toward as individuals.
For example, I’ve discovered that what I enjoy practicing most varies wildly. I sit at both ends of the spectrum, literally. I tend to vacillate between quiet meditative states and Ashtanga and Bikram. So, basically, I like to either take my mind and spirit through their paces, or work my body as hard as I can.
My practice really does say a lot about me and my personality. I have to be honest, this is both comforting and disconcerting. I like the fact that I am getting to know myself better. But isn’t yoga about growth and breaking new ground? Shouldn’t I be able to shake some of this off, go the road less traveled and explore my inner self?
Well, that’s what I plan to try, anyway. I am going to explore the “gray,” and dip my toes into the wide expansive space that lies between my very quiet, introspective and extroverted, animates selves. I am going to try to push myself toward the center, and hopefully that will produce something unexpected, and fruitful results. In my quest, I plan to try and ride the wave that lies in between. I’ve never done that before, not in life, not in yoga. I plan to explore the inner boundaries a bit more, maybe even relax with myself a little.
Do you have a “style” all your own that manifests itself in your practice? It really is kind of fascinating to watch myself work different patterns according to behaviors I didn’t even realize I was so comfortable with, but it does make sense. Now, the tricky part is going to be whether or not I break through some of these expectations and walls I have unwittingly built and grow even more.
Meanwhile, I would love to hear all of your stories about personal growth and development and where yoga is taking you. Let’s learn from each other, and we’ll all grow like weeds.
Peace.
Now, I don’t even know the difference between Ashtanga and Bikram. But for me I notice it’s the time of day that determines my “style”. Late in the evening it’s more about peace, stretching, quiet. But yoga in the morning and day means I push myself. It’s all about the strength during those times.
I prefer vinyasa and kundalini but I am just starting to get into bikram. I like the feeling of really working out along with the mind body connection. Yoga has changed my life in so many ways I can’t even begin to start with a comment of a blog! I love yoga and can’t imagine my life without it.
I’m like Karen…I don’t know how the various names correlate with styles.
I’ve tried Bikram when I was very new to yoga. I liked it just because it was a great place for me on a cold winter day.
Now, I go to “weight-loss yoga,” which allows me to push my body. Yet in the same session, I also get deep stretches. I love it when I feel both the strength and the stretch the next day!
But I’m not sure what style this is.
Karen, so funny – I like that combo too – but in opposite order. Mornings for me were for hatha or a pretty easy-going pilates class which is about 3/4 stretching and 1/4 sweating. Evenings were for trying to crank out all the stress from my workday and that meant ashtanga when not freakin’ on the elliptical.
Using past tense ’cause I’m taking a little break. Just a little one.