How can I correct "Yoga is slow and boring"?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#10

Dear Queen,

Your dilemma is not really presenting the essence of yoga to others, you need to deal with your own experience first. If you see yoga as a sport you can impress a newcomer only with your athletic prowess and the newcomer who is shopping around for some fun and quick results is obviously not going to be easily impressed.

Yoga does not have a spiritual side; yoga IS spiritual. Some people prefer to wear blinds and look at muscles and ignore prana that energizes them and mind that moves. Yoga is holistic and can be really understood only that way. It should make you curious to know what lies beyond asana; because there is a lot. So, in my view, you need to revisit your experiences to know yoga much deeper.

More than any one else (with misconceptions about yoga) you need to really understand why you have changed, why you are fitter and brighter. Fitness and brightness is not skin-deep. In seeking to know its subtle causes, you will turn inward - that’s where true yoga begins! Please pardon me if you are already there or if you belong to a majority that is content with the well-being of their muscles.

#11

Dear Suhas,

Thank you for the wonderful reply. I didn’t realize that I have to correct my own misconceptions first of all!! What a truth!! Without your help, I don’t know how long it would have taken to come to this answer.

Now that it’s clear that yoga is spiritual, I don’t neccessarily have to present what’s inside, but show how the true yoga begins. I might as well use your phrase “In seeking to know its subtle causes, you will turn inward - that’s where true yoga begins!” because it’s a masterpiece!

Any way, so the answer is within me, again… I am experiencing manythings inside, but each of them is a separate experience and I don’t know how to explain as a whole.

Let’s say, I want to explain that I realized I have a power. I would go…“I can do Chaturanga because we use breath and I’m aware of the alignment, and we use whole body. Also I listen to my body and I focus. After experiencing this, I came to realize I actually have a power, like they feel the strange energy inside of them in SF movies. I learned I am whole, not less or more, that I am one, even though there are many sides of me, because I learned to balance. And now I can see myself as a force and I can believe my self more than before. I can feel the power, and I know I can do more for the people. I know people feel the power in me. It might be because I became too beautiful but it’s more about the state of mind. I know I can use my power towards the right direction because we practice to direct the energy…”

I mean this is way too long and not clear for the people who are new to yoga. You can imagine how blank their expression is while they are listening to me.

I think there is a better way to explain what I experienced so far. But I don’t find the right words.

#12

Just tell your friend yoga will make her feel better and let her decide to do it or not do it.

If she is devoted to a religion, she doesn’t need all of yoga, and the asanas are enough, since she’s getting the spiritual aspects elsewhere. And she may very well find that to embrace all of yoga would cause a conflict in her Christian beliefs. That’s how I feel about it, and limit myself to asanas and pranayama, though I can respect the other parts I don’t do or need to do.

You can do a headstand, a warrior pose, or a runner’s lunge and enjoy the physical benefits without having to go beyond their intent to be an itegral part of another religion or belief system.

#13

[QUOTE=Queen Pigeon;42334]How do you present yoga to people who have negative idea on yoga?[/QUOTE]Unfortunately people are not aware that according Patanjali/father of yoga/:
Yoga is to silence modifications of the mind
1.2 Yoga is the (stilling, quieting, setting aside) of the modifications (gross and subtle thought patterns) of the mind field.
(yogash chitta vritti nirodhah)
Then the Connection/YOGA/ is established. This happening can be only Spontaneus-Sahaja.

#14

Dear Queen,
Your words suggest that you are quite close to where you want to be. Yoga is a process and like a blooming flower, understanding of the self, the inner Self and the world blossoms slowly but surely. There are many trials and errors, but the light is seen.

There is really no need to run into a so-called conflict between Yoga and spirituality and religion. On this forum, there have been clashes of ideas and wars of words, ad nauseam. For a practitioner it matters much less. Spirituality belongs to humanity. Yoga’s approach is different because, it offers its concepts only as hypotheses and leaves it to you entirely to validate them and accept only then.

Hence, you need to practice yoga, have experiences, analyze them keenly in the context of yoga (and not of any other ism or system of beliefs), learn and inch towards yoga?s ultimate goal, enlightenment. Happiness for no apparent cause is only to be experienced.

Hope these words will help you too.

#15

Hence, you need to practice yoga, have experiences, analyze them keenly in the context of yoga (and not of any other ism or system of beliefs),

So you are saying one must abandon his faith first to really understand yoga, and not use the wisdom of his faith to judge it?

#16

I find it interesting that everybody’s aproach is quite reserved. My approach is if I knew anything that helps virtually anybody, I make sure everybody knows it. Whether they take it or not is up to them. I don’t leave them until they find it through somebody else.

#17

I cant correct my yoga style

#18

[QUOTE=Queen Pigeon;42334]My frustration is I?m not good enough to present the essence of yoga to those who misunderstand that yoga is slow, and decide it?s not for themselves, although they enjoy other sports. I don?t mind if they understand yoga and decide so, but most of them misunderstand. One of my missions is to provide the better understandings of yoga so I can help them to help themselves. How do you present yoga to people who have negative idea on yoga?[/QUOTE]

This mission is coming from your ego and is a desire to satisify yourself. Although you may justify it as being altruistic and that yoga practice will help these others, it is really a very selfish thought. You may ask yourself why you feel it necessary to convince others anything, especially those who do not see a benefit for themselves.

It is enough to know what yoga does for you. If someone approaches me and says 'hey, I can’t hit the golf ball as far as I used to, no matter how many hours I spend on the golf course." I may answer, “I hit the ball further now than I ever have because I have being practicing yoga, which increases my flexibility and shoulder range of motion”, in which case he/she may think, “hmm, maybe I should give that a try.” Or, if someone approaches me at a swinger’s party and asks, “my god, you’re a 52 year old man! How do you maintain the body and posture of an Adonis?” I may respond, “I practice Ashtanga yoga regularly”. This may inspire that person to give it a try.

#19

[QUOTE=bluelight2;42461]I find it interesting that everybody’s aproach is quite reserved. My approach is if I knew anything that helps virtually anybody, I make sure everybody knows it. Whether they take it or not is up to them. I don’t leave them until they find it through somebody else.[/QUOTE]

Not everyone wants or needs yoga. It’s not all things to all people.

My yoga teacher is very accomplished and experienced, yet her own husband doesn’t do yoga because to him it’s “boring.” So he does other things.

#20

You can’t teach every dog any old trick.

But you can teach some dogs some tricks with greater ease.

Living by example is a good teaching and a fantastic party trick of course.

#21

[QUOTE=thomas;42459]So you are saying one must abandon his faith first to really understand yoga, and not use the wisdom of his faith to judge it?[/QUOTE]

This OR that is a human need; true spirituality is inclusive, this AND that.

#22

You’ve made a dogmatic statement about an aspect of “true spirituality.” Is this your own belief or is this an accepted doctrine of a particular faith, and if so, which faith(s)?

If someone believes in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savoir, the Door through which he will attain salvation and eternal life, then naturally he will look at anything, especially another belief system, from that perspective, and will EXclude those elements that are contrary to it.

#23

No statement is dogmatic unless taken as one.

I follow Yogik way of taking a challenge of a hypothesis, then practicing, then experiencing and then embracing the new truth. I have experienced the limitations of human perception that demands to understand everything as this or that, here or there, “I” and everything-else and so on. We can’t relate with anything unless we put a label or define a context. Both labels and contexts are utterly subjective. And, also divisive.

I found spiritual pursuit uplifting. It deepens my understanding, extends my vision and sharpens my insight. Together they afford me a ‘big picture’ view of all phenomena. I see life pulsating in each object, big or small. It gives me courage to recognize other person as a human being and not as a Christian or a Hindu. Rather than the distinguishing details I tend to see the commonallity.

Profound knowledge always keeps hidden under simple words and mundane things. But they are symbols. “door”, “salvation”, “eternal life” etc are symbols that can be interpreted in many ways - verbatim or versatile. Taken at the face value their difference is magnified and can fuel endless debates. Taken in a profound sense, different symbols appear to flow different routes to ultimately merge in the same ocean. This is my experience.

#24

No statement is dogmatic unless taken as one.

Not true. I can make dogmatic statements all day and they are still dogmatic whether or not you accept them.

I have experienced the limitations of human perception that demands to understand everything as this or that, here or there, “I” and everything-else and so on. We can’t relate with anything unless we put a label or define a context. Both labels and contexts are utterly subjective. And, also divisive.

What about adultery or monogomy? Abortion is good or it kills a baby? Jesus is God or he is not God? Joe is alive or Joe is dead? I should steal the money or I should not steal the money?

There are some things that are both/and and some that are either/or, and it is not divisive to discern the either/ors.

I see life pulsating in each object, big or small. It gives me courage to recognize other person as a human being and not as a Christian or a Hindu. Rather than the distinguishing details I tend to see the commonallity.

Now you’re being either/or yourself, and unnecessarily so. You can see a person as a Christian or a Hindu, and still see them as human beings.

Profound knowledge always keeps hidden under simple words and mundane things. But they are symbols. “door”, “salvation”, “eternal life” etc are symbols that can be interpreted in many ways - verbatim or versatile. Taken at the face value their difference is magnified and can fuel endless debates. Taken in a profound sense, different symbols appear to flow different routes to ultimately merge in the same ocean. This is my experience.

You see yoga as the be-all and end-all. The Christian cannot and does not see that since Jesus is the be-all and end-all.

If you knew Jesus, or believed as Christians do, you would understand why yoga must be judged in the light of Chrisitanity and not vise-versa.

#25

Thank you all,

Yoga conversation is like ZEN questions and answers. Everybody taught me not the answer but where I am and why I have this question and how I can find answer within me. This is so new to me and I appreciate every one to show me the Yogi Way.

I think I’m struggling and worrying unnecessarily, and I definately need more practice as well as some study on spirituality.

Dear Suhas and Seeker33,

Thank you for your kind guide. You really showed me the way.

#26

Any time, Queen.

Thomas,
In all sincerity, I consider this conversation running beyond exchange of useful ideas. I have nothing more to say. You win. Thanks.

#27

[QUOTE=Suhas Tambe;42519]Any time, Queen.

Thomas,
In all sincerity, I consider this conversation running beyond exchange of useful ideas. I have nothing more to say. You win. Thanks.[/QUOTE]

“Winning” wasn’t my objective, but I’ll take it, if there’s some kind of prize.

#28

I would like to share the answer I found within myself, to show the gratitude to you all.

I think the source of my frustration was that I tried to go beyond my limitation. Like I have limit in yoga, I have limit in explaining yoga. I have to know my limitation and accept it.

If I tried to go beyond it and try to be a wise man who can tell the truth of yoga in one word, that’s where my frustration begins. So long as I did what I can do within my limitation, I don’t need to blame myself or feel frustrated even if I couldn’t help someone who might have needed help. And like somebody said, I should let it flow.

I can’t do bridge posture but I’m not frustrated because I know my limitation and I know I’m trying to overcome it.

What is important is knowing limitation while I try to overcome it by practicing yoga, listening to the body, asking for advice, and reading books.

Now I can do little better. “Yoga’s ultimate goal is enlightment. It’s about to silence the modifications of the mind. What many of us experience at the initial stage is that you feel the strength and joy of life, then gradually find out about the spirituality to follow. But if your interest was strictly physical improvement, yoga is open for those who want to use it that way. The benefit I expericenced are…”

Cheers!

#29

[QUOTE=Suhas Tambe;42500]No statement is dogmatic unless taken as one.

I follow Yogik way of taking a challenge of a hypothesis, then practicing, then experiencing and then embracing the new truth. I have experienced the limitations of human perception that demands to understand everything as this or that, here or there, “I” and everything-else and so on. We can’t relate with anything unless we put a label or define a context. Both labels and contexts are utterly subjective. And, also divisive.

I found spiritual pursuit uplifting. It deepens my understanding, extends my vision and sharpens my insight. Together they afford me a ‘big picture’ view of all phenomena. I see life pulsating in each object, big or small. It gives me courage to recognize other person as a human being and not as a Christian or a Hindu. Rather than the distinguishing details I tend to see the commonallity.

Profound knowledge always keeps hidden under simple words and mundane things. But they are symbols. “door”, “salvation”, “eternal life” etc are symbols that can be interpreted in many ways - verbatim or versatile. Taken at the face value their difference is magnified and can fuel endless debates. Taken in a profound sense, different symbols appear to flow different routes to ultimately merge in the same ocean. This is my experience.[/QUOTE]

Thankyou Suhas for sharing this