Weekly Letter: Apparently I’m not a ‘real’ yogi

  *Weekly Letter is the letter I include in my weekly yoga studio newsletter.*

I was told I wasn’t a ‘real’ yogi yesterday in an email from someone I don’t know. They were making an assumption on a snapshot of something they gleamed about the space.

In the past I’ve been told I’m not a real yogi because I don’t have a tattoo, because I eat meat, and more.

The thing is, when this happens, the person is disappointed because they want this vision in their mind to be true. They want the mold of a yogi to be this very specific creature that is darn near unattainable. They think that by saying these things, I will change to fit their paradigm and satisfy their expectation.

Which I could do. I could live a false version of myself in the studio to create an expectation that students will feel unattainable. I could make myself this creature of mystique and start calling myself ‘Karma’ instead of Carmen. I might last a day. A short day. A Saturday.

Instead, I propose we all show up to our mats, faults and all. And for a short time during the day, we give ourselves a safe place to be flawed and accepted. For a time, we exercise removing the Ahamkara (Ego) and give all that noise a rest. The outside world does nothing but condone the criticism, so we create a space beyond. We use older principles and ideas to have conversations about yoga in our modern time and then come back to these discussions over and over again to evolve the person we ACTUALLY are.

Or, you can go get a tattoo.

~C

Weekly Letter: Adding Rings

 *Weekly Letter is the letter I include in my weekly yoga studio newsletter.*

I was recently recommended You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith (not the actress).

Smith brings up an idea that I will say, I’ve been sitting with. She offers, that instead of shedding former selves, we are adding. Like nesting dolls. Always carrying that former self with us. And when we transform, we add another layer. My mind immediately went to rings on a tree. The tree carries with it all the smaller versions of itself.

Smith doesn’t offer this in the under the guise of forgiveness or pain, but as a teacher. The memory of that version of yourself you remember and can see so vividly. They are always with you. It can take a song, a smell, jogging yourself right back and now looking back with wiser eyes, to appreciate those memories. You also bring these selves forward into today. This sounds like nostalgia, yes?

A quick Google search:

‘What is the true meaning of nostalgia?

The term ‘nostalgia’ derives from the Greek words nostos (return) and algos (pain). The literal meaning of nostalgia, then, is the suffering evoked by the desire to return to one’s place of origin.’

But we have transformed that meaning, haven’t we? Language has evolved to allow for nostalgia to become something special, to cultivate feelings from the past to bring us to a different space in our mind-more positive than negative.

Whether it’s nostalgia or something else, the idea of our experienced life as nesting dolls feels closer to real experience than ‘shedding’ past selves. It humanizes how we carry our experiences. It gives them relevance and layered context. Allowing still space for growth and continual transformation.

Welcome the rings of transformation,

~C

Weekly Letter: It’s OK not to like childs or savasana

*Weekly Letter is the letter I include in my weekly yoga studio newsletter.*

Savasana and child’s pose are two frequently requested postures. I’ve been in classes where the teacher says, ‘Now everyone get ready for your FAVORITE posture, child’s pose!’ Like they’re a game show host.

For some people, sure, these postures can be relaxing. Or at one time they were. But I want to address those who hate these postures.

You are not alone.

Just because other people like a posture, does NOT mean there is something wrong with you. MANY people are going into these postures and not saying a word because they feel ‘other’. Maybe you have sensitive acid reflux, are pregnant and not sharing, have joint pain, inner ear, or find the quiet and stillness challenging.

You are not alone.

If you are reading this and wanting to raise your hand because the long holds in these postures are more than you can bear. We can help. There are other options and every time I teach child’s pose in Yoga 101, I address the sneaky elephant in the room. Not everyone finds child’s pose enjoyable.

You are not alone.

We can find something that works better. Reply to this email and let me know! We will figure out a better way, so you can stay connected and engaged without dreading those positions.

If you are reading this and find both of those postures to be OK. That’s fine, but there are thousands of yoga postures, and you might find one that doesn’t land in your body. Guess what? We can help with that one too.

Don’t let shame change how you really feel in your body. No one, not even I can truly know what it feels like to be you.

~Carmen