The Mastery of Love, Part I

I was hesitant at first to talk about this book here, seeing as I had previously talked about a book by the same author, The Four Agreements. But I think the fact that I was so compelled to share both of his works goes to show the type of true love and energy that the author has poured into these works. In this book the Mastery if Love, Don Miguel Ruiz gives us the gift of his wisdom yet again. As a follower of the Toltec tradition, Ruiz writes that, “The mastery of love is the result of the first two masteries [awareness and transformation].” And that, “Everything is made of love. Love is life itself.” Although this all sounds very dreamy and inspirational, I’m sure someone who is not quite as open may not see it that way. Because of this I don’t want to try and sum up the entire book but focus on one chapter that I thought was especially significant and I hope that what I got from that chapter will inspire you to take a peek at the book yourself!

“The Man Who Didn’t Believe in Love”, sounds like the beginning of a great fairytale right? In this, the third chapter of the mastery of love, Ruiz introduces us to a character, a man, who sounded so much like many people I have met in life. He didn’t believe in love. A devout scholar he had explained away all of the mysteries of love with logic. He didn’t believe it existed at all. He actually he claimed that love was “made up”, an invention of the poets and the writers, just an idea used as a tool to control and manipulate. As the chapter continues Ruiz explains that the man had searched for love and never found it and likened the relationship between lovers to that of a drug dealer to the addict. Now what was particularly interesting about the story was that the man happened to find someone, a woman, who thought just like him, love did not exist.

Does love not exist just because we can’t find it? Find out in Part II of my essay on “The Mastery of Love”!

 

Photo Credits: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51K28NKVF3L.jpg[/embed

Diary of a Yogi, Relaxed Flow with Kyra Part II

Visit Kyra’s Blog to learn more about her and yoga!

Here I continue the final installment of Diary of a Yogi. Just like her class, Kyra’s positive energy was a “relaxed flow”. I felt like I’d learned how to breathe just listening to the calmness of her speech.  Finally we will hear her take on self-love and yoga as that light filled path to it.

How can Yoga help one find or discover self-love?

Kyra – “When we practice yoga, one of the things that happens is we actually release trauma and stress that has been trapped, physically, in the muscles and in the tissue. When you practice you’re releasing that and it can be unconscious. You don’t realize that you’re letting go of something that may have happened to you as a child.  You might all of a sudden come into a pose and start crying and you’re not sure why. That’s a release. That’s a letting go. That’s a reason why I emphasize so much breathing, so much exhalation in the class because you are letting go of stagnant energy and things you don’t need.”

“As you peel away these layers and you get rid of the garbage that no longer serves you, like all the old stories or negative voices, or the, “I’m not the person I want to be”, then you can really come down to your true self and it’s not easy because you start to see things you don’t necessarily like. But the other spectrum of that is a really deep understanding and acceptance. When we really start to accept ourselves, the beautiful part of ourselves, and the not so beautiful part of ourselves, that’s when we can really feel self-love. I believe the only way to truly be able to love another human is if we cultivate self-love in ourselves and many of us haven’t, so yoga is a very powerful channel to do that.”

What is self-love?

Kyra – “A deep appreciation and acceptance of who you are. Radical acceptance of yourself.”

Am I a Yogi?

Me – A question I never really asked myself because the answer was undoubtedly no. I always felt as If a yogi could only be one who was fully dedicated to the practice, an instructor or a true student who practiced all day everyday. Kyra’s description left me wondering if the term ‘yogi’ was totally personal. I could say I am a yogi in the sense that I do actively practice yoga, although not the physical practice everyday, but in the ways I try and live my life in non-judgment and with love and respect for all living things on this earth. Many people ascribing the term to themselves aren’t the Buddhist monk types Kyra describes but I think deserve a little credit for actively practicing what they think is the yogi lifestyle and giving that credit and encouragement to do more is what yoga is all about.

Want to learn more about Kyra and yoga? Click here!

 

Photo Credits: Kyra Sudofsky, Inspiredyoga.com

Diary of a Yogi, Relaxed Flow with Kyra

The Diary of A Yogi Series ended on a relaxed note at The Yoga Garden in South Philadelphia. I was running late, of course, desperately peering out of the window of the bus that was moving snail speed down South St. I was so excited to meet the instructor, Kyra Sudofsky. We had exchanged numerous emails trying to coordinate this very interview. Not only was I excited to meet her but to take her class, “Relaxed Flow”. I have taken many yoga classes but have always shied away from slower paced, relaxation based classes. I think being fairly new to yoga I thought I had to challenge myself, so trying a slower pace was new. I walked into the dimly lit studio and was instantly relaxed. The space was nearly full so I found a small space in the front. Throughout that evening’s practice we let out our collective Ujjayi breaths out of our mouths, something fairly new to me again. This was to release our stagnant energy from the day. The sounds coming from the room were exactly as one might imagine energy releasing, a loud but steady hissing noise. By the end of the class I was more than relaxed. I was at peace. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, which was made even better after speaking with Kyra. Her positive energy was infectious!

Kyra Sudofsky

What is Yoga to you?

Kyra – “So much, it’s my life!  I’ve been practicing for 22 years and now it’s so much more than just a physical practice. It’s a daily practice. What we are doing right now is yoga. The way that I interact with other people and how I walk throughout my day. The way I eat my food, the way that I handle difficult situations, all the things that come up in the span of the day, all of that is yoga. It’s not just coming to a yoga studio and practicing for an hour and a half. It’s a type of life, a type of lifestyle. Once you start and you get hooked, its addictive!”

What does it mean to be a Yogi?

Kyra – “The Yogis are people that are so dedicated. The ancient yogis, they deprive themselves of sleep, speech, and food. They withhold themselves in Asana’s for long periods of time; they would put themselves in all these challenges to reach higher states of consciousness. We live in this world. We might come in and take a class but we’re not yogis. As much as I’d like to call myself a yogi, maybe I’m a western yogi.”

What do you want students to take away from your class?

Kyra – “I don’t really care is someone can do Trikonasana or a handstand with one arm. Do they walk out of the class and feel transformed? Do they walk out of class and feel like they can see themselves a little more clearly? The next time they have a difficult decision to make do they take three yoga breaths before they respond? That’s what I want them to cultivate, those life lessons. They cannot just be in yoga in the studio, on the mat. As they leave the yoga studio and as they are walking down the street they can be in yoga, in that moment.”

Be sure to look out for the second part of my interview with Kyra, so we can talk about LOVE!

Want to learn more about Kyra and yoga? Click here!

 

Photo Credits: Kyra Sudofsky, Inspiredyoga.com

Some Wounds Don’t Show, Part II

In connecting with Scott, I expressed my concern over youth suffering with depression. It seems today as if there are so many incidences of violence in schools across the nation, often stemming cases of mental illness. I wondered of youth in America seemed to be suffering increasingly more as we march forward in time. I also wanted to know where self-love fit into the equation for battling depression and any mental illness. Do psychologists even consider the aspect of self-love as clinical or a part of the battle against depression? After many years of my own suffering I found my complete lack of love to be the base of my own sadness and feelings of unworthiness.  Scott gave us the clinical point of view.

Have you found, during your professional practice, an increase in depression among young adults?

Scott – “Depression is one of the most common presenting issues in university counseling centers, along with anxiety, relationship concerns, stress management, and adjustment issues. We also see very severe pathology such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders. We have seen an overall increase in mental health concerns on campuses across the country, not just with depression, and also an increase in the need for services because of those changes. We also see a lot of students who have a previous history of psychological treatment, more so than we may have in the past.”

Is self-love a professional term? How would you define self-love?

Scott – “Self-love is not directly a clinical term, though it is often used as a replacement for the concept of self-esteem or self-confidence. It comes from the concept of “love of oneself” that was coined by a psychologist named Erich Fromm, who wrote a book called The Art of Loving in the 1950s. I think the concept of self-love involves knowing and appreciating aspects of you. This includes your strengths and weaknesses and learning to care about yourself at a deeper level.

I also believe there’s a significant difference between having strong self-esteem and being cocky or narcissistic. Someone who is narcissistic tends to ignore their complete selves; focusing only on things they consider positive or superior to others and negating any of their own weaknesses. In reality, those individuals are often more sensitive to criticism because it brings to light those aspects of themselves that they try to suppress. It’s self-love taken from a healthy adaptive view of oneself to a maladaptive one.”

How important is the concept of self-love in battling depression? Do you feel like the lack of self-love is a major contributor to depression?

Scott – “I think the concept of self-love/esteem/confidence can have a direct relationship with depression. Some of the symptoms of depression include a depreciation of ourselves, our contributions to society, and our ability to love and be loved by others. When we don’t respect ourselves it certainly can impact our mood, and in the treatment of depression a part of the process is learning an appreciation of our uniqueness and appropriately caring about who we are and how we behave in the world.”

When is the time to seek professional help?

Scott – “Some of the symptoms above happen to us on a regular basis, but it is when those symptoms last for a while or many of them seem to be occurring all at once, that may be a sign that seeking support would be helpful. We also recommend that a person who is experiencing some of these symptoms should reflect on why they may be feeling what they are feeling. It can be a recent stressor or difficult situation, and identifying the cause may help you to understand your symptoms in a new way. Another consideration is whether or not that person has felt that way before, remembering that feeling down is sometimes an appropriate (and understandable) reaction to an event but over time a person should be able to recover. If it proves too difficult to do so, that may be a sign that a person could benefit from professional counseling and support. Along with those general guidelines, perhaps the most important factor for seeking professional help is if a person is having any thoughts of suicide or harming someone else. That person may not be aware of the seriousness of their thoughts, but if a friend or family member becomes aware they should also seek out professional consultation and encourage that person to get help immediately.”

Love is the foundation of all relationships including the on you have with yourself. All the therapy and medication in the world did not completely ease my depression. I had to make a choice to love myself for exactly who and what I was. I love that Scott’s definition of self-love included “an appreciation” of both our strengths and our weaknesses. Depression can seem like a dark cloud looming over you while all the sunlight shines only on what is “wrong”. You can change that when you begin to build a foundation of love within yourself. The first brick you lay for your new love-based foundation may be seeking out a professional to help you pave a way through your sadness or indifference toward things. I took that step. The therapist I met was beyond helpful. She opened a door for me that I had locked myself, the door to love, the door to a new way of seeing and thinking. This was the first brick to my foundation; perhaps it would a great brick for yours.

 

 

Photo Credits: http://www.bubblews.com/news/992982-depression-is-not-a-choice

Some Wounds Don’t Show, Part I

Approximately 20.9 million people over the age of 18 suffer from some type of mood disorder. Depression affects 14.8 million or 6.7% of Americans. I happen to be one of those 14.8 million people. Depression is very personal to me. I suffered internally for a very long time. I likened my feelings to a great war where my positive self almost always lost the battle. Depression affects you mentally, physically and spiritually. Sadness, at many times, literally is pain. The trouble with depression is the stigma of it all. I personally felt as if I was somehow defective as a human being.

Too many people ask others to simply “be happy” without taking the time to ask if there may be a deeper, more serious issue. I was strong enough to finally seek help and blessed enough to take a leap of faith. Getting to know people who showed me new ways of dealing with my emotions. Not everyone has found that strength or been so lucky to have people near to listen and understand. Because of this I wanted get more information on depression, what causes it and how you can help a loved one or more importantly yourself if you notice feelings of seemingly unending sadness. I got in contact with the Counseling Services office at Drexel University to get the facts about depression. Luckily Scott Sokoloski Ph.D., staff therapist, was more than happy to lend me his professional expertise on the subject.

Scott Sokolosky

What is depression? Are there different types or degrees of depression? Are there clinical terms to describe these varying conditions if so?

Scott – “The term Depression refers to a disturbance in mood that is characterized by varying degrees of sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, self-doubt, or guilt. While most people may experience one or more of these symptoms at some point in their lives, for some the feelings can last much longer or happen much more often than others. There are varying levels of Depression:

• Mild depression, symptoms are normally brief or may only minimally impact someone’s activities. Some people may call this “the blahs” or simply “feeling sad,” and it often goes away quickly.
• Moderate depression involves symptoms that are more intense and may last for a longer period of time. A person may find it more difficult to function on a daily basis, but generally can find ways to cope with their feelings with some help. In some cases, a person may begin to consider suicide as an option.
• Severe depression can result in a loss of pleasure in all activities, extreme fluctuations in mood, and intense feelings of hopelessness. A person may withdraw from most or all activities, and have almost no motivation to interact with others. Suicide risk increases with individuals who are severely depressed.

“When diagnosing Depression, we look at a few different factors. A person can have one Major Depressive Episode of varying severity that is a one-time event, but that same person may also have additional episodes throughout their lives that are separated by a period of time when they’re not clinically depressed. In this case we would diagnose Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Mild/Moderate/Severe. We also have to rule out whether or not their symptoms may be due to another mental health disorder such as Substance Use/Abuse, Schizophrenia, or Bipolar Disorder, or due to a medical condition.”

How can we differentiate between clinical depression and shorter periods of sadness?

Scott – “People undergo periods of time when they experience stressors, significant change, the death of a loved one, or other day-to-day concerns. Their natural response to such situations may include feeling sad, lethargic, less motivated, or indifferent, along with physical symptoms such as brief changes in appetite or sleep. In most cases, people are able to adapt to these situations while continuing to function in their daily lives. Clinical depression affects all aspects of a person’s life. It impairs our ability to sleep, eat, work, and get along with others. It damages our self-esteem, self-confidence, and our ability to accomplish everyday tasks. People who are depressed find daily tasks to be a significant struggle. They tire easily, yet cannot get a good night’s sleep. They have no motivation and lose interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Depression puts a dark, gloomy cloud over how we see the world, our future, and ourselves. This cloud cannot be willed away, nor can we ignore it and have it magically disappear.”

What are some of the classic signs of depression?

Scott – Symptoms of depression may include:

·         Becoming over-emotional (crying uncontrollably, lashing out on others), or possibly becoming emotionally blunted and unresponsive)

·         A lack of interest and/or inability to find pleasure in activities

·         Feelings of hopelessness and/or worthlessness

·         Complaints about lack of energy or fatigue

·         An exaggerated sense of guilt or self-blame

·         Loss of sexual interest and desire

·         Change in sleep habits, such as insomnia or increased need for sleep

·         Poor concentration, impaired memory, indecisiveness

·         Neglecting one’s appearance

·         Increased irritability

·         Dissatisfaction with life in general

·         Reduction in the ability to cope with stress

·         Change in appetite, either increased or significantly decreased

·         Physical complaints such as headaches, muscle pain, stomach pain, or nausea

·         Suicidal ideation

Intrigued? I surely was! Some of these symptoms were classic of myself, and others I know who struggle with depression. Keep an eye out for the remainder of this very informative interview with Scott, in Some Wounds Don’t Show, Part II.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.recovery.org/topics/depression/

What’s Holding You Back?

One of the greatest troubles I have faced on my journey to self-love is staying motivated. As a person who has greatly struggled with depression and insecurity I found it increasingly difficult to stay motivated when I came to college. In high school I had a lot of structure. I played a sport every season. I was in a myriad of clubs and choirs, student council etc. All of these things I stayed involved in allowed me to stay on top of my workload. I had coaches, teachers, advisors and directors at every step of the way. One of the main reasons I stayed so involved in high school was that very attention which I felt I lacked elsewhere.  For college I moved eight hours from home. In a new city with a vastly different culture than the modest mid-western one I was so comforted by, I lost focus quickly. As time went on, I found it increasingly difficult to keep up in class and maintain some type of social life. I had almost zero motivation to get things done. I made excuse after excuse. I would tell myself how I would do this or that but I’m not smart enough or I will finish this later, I don’t have time or even at the height of my being lost, tell myself that my romantic relationship was more important than anything. I dodged internship opportunities, homework, friendships you name it! I was not motivated to stick to anything that wasn’t hurting me. I had become addicted to failure and irrational thinking. Here I want to point out what I find to be the top 3 killers of motivation.

1. FEAR (This is MAJOR!)

The greatest killer of motivation is FEAR! Most things never get done because you’re afraid you can’t do it, don’t have the time or resources to do it or the fear of judgment if you actually did.

How many times have you been defeated before even taking on a task or challenge because of the overwhelming unknown of whether or not it’s going to be executed to your (or someone else’s) high expectations? You will NEVER know the outcome if you don’t start. Procrastination does not pay. In addition, other people’s opinions or expectations have absolutely nothing to do with you. Every task you want to accomplish is totally on your terms. Don’t try and get it perfect, try and get it done.

2. A Lack of Clear Goals

If you don’t know where you’re going, then that’s exactly where you will never be. You have to decide what your ultimate goal is and how you plan to make it a reality. With no goals, there is no direction.

3. Poor Health

A healthy mind and body is essential in getting anything done. After starting my journey to a completely plant-based diet I discovered how eating better nearly transformed my entire mindset. My mind was clear and I had more energy than ever. A plant-based diet may not be a part of your journey but just eating healthier in general and adding some physical activity into each day can make a huge difference in both your overall disposition and your motivation to accomplish goals.

Do you feel like you lack the motivation to move forward in life? Comment below with your thoughts and suggestions for building and maintaining motivation.

Article Inspired by; Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The Mastery of Love, Don Miguel Ruiz, and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

 

Photo Credits: https://24.media.tumblr.com/e1e89fd78534d2479674448d15cbd93c/tumblr_n3gnf2zcLH1rk0xngo1_500.jpg

The Four Agreements, A Book Review

I think we can all get lost in the sea of self-help books out there. There seems to be one to tackle every emotional issue you could encounter. I have personally read many, self-help books. Surprisingly or not I think they all spread a very similar message, positivity is power. We can radically change our circumstances with a both grateful and positive attitude towards life. Recently I found a book which I had heard rave reviews about called, “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom”, by Don Miguel Ruiz. The book impressed me, firstly, because it stayed on the New York Times Bestsellers list for over 7 years and was featured as one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things”. Endorsers of the book also include Ellen DeGeneres and countless individuals across the world who have read, enjoyed, and implemented Ruiz’s unique wisdom in their lives.

I, personally, loved this book! It was insightful and very simplistic in its approach. What I found most refreshing was its emphasis on loving yourself with zero regard to the outside world. Other peoples’ opinions of you are theirs, and none of your business! Ruiz leads us to a wisdom that asks us as individuals to manifest the power of the self and the power of love. Loving ourselves first is a basis for making all of these new agreements in life. Ruiz suggests, and rightly so, that we have all been indoctrinated as children with a set of beliefs that are grounded mostly in lies and others opinions of us and we reflect these ‘truths’ onto ourselves creating a very unhealthy and harmful cycle of judgment and punishment. When we don’t live up to the ideals set up for ourselves by others we suffer.  Below are Ruiz’s four simple agreements. Take a moment to review and believe me, as someone who works diligently on improving their character for themselves by themselves, just by adopting one of these four agreements your life will be transformed!

1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of the word in the direction of truth and love.

2. DON’T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement you can completely transform your life.

4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Want to learn more about Don Miguel Ruiz or The Four Agreement? Click here!

Photo Credits: http://www.ourgeorgiaroots.com

Diary of a Yogi, Power Yoga with Marisa Part II

Here is the continuation of my interview with Marisa DeFrancesco, yoga instructor at Power Yoga Works in Philadelphia! Let’s see what yoga has to do with self-love in her expert yogi opinion…

How does practicing yoga contribute to a loving lifestyle?

Marisa – “Well, learning to love yourself on the mat, giving gratitude to your body, accepting it. When you start loving yourself you can begin to start loving others because of the same reasons you started to love yourself. You’re not judging, you don’t expect anything from it. You just accept it for what it is. Loving others for who they are and not judging or punishing anybody for being one way or another.”

In respect to your teaching style, what do you want students to take away from your class?

Marisa – “Really to not judge your body. The body changes everyday and If you can’t do something you did the day before and you’re upset about it, that’s the ego. To really accept what your body is doing at that moment is just such peace and gratitude. So, not punishing your body but saying “thank you body” for letting me get in this full split. Really appreciating it for what it’s doing and not punishing it for what it’s not doing.”

If we can’t get to your class, what can we do outside the yoga studio?

Marisa – “So there are 8 limbs of yoga. You can practice yoga in many ways besides the physical practice. You can do breathing exercises or meditation, just channeling peace and balance. The Ujjayi breath we practice in power yoga, just sitting in silence and breathing, just concentrating on the breath. If they want to do physical practice, there are a ton of online resources. Yoga GLO, they have every type of yoga on there. My favorite teacher is Katherine Budding. She is a phenomenal yoga teacher. I really admire her. She’d definitely my yogi idol!”

How would you define self-love?

Marisa – “Non-judgment, non-punishment. In yoga there are these codes you’re supposed to live by as yogis. One of them is Ahimsa which means non-violence. It’s not just, not hurting your self physically, but really, not putting yourself down mentally or emotionally. Ahimsa really sums it up for me. It’s all about accepting the self.”

Marisa DeFrancesco

Learn more about Marisa and Yoga by clicking here!

Photo Credits: http://yoganonymous.com/community-question-whats-your-yoga-story/

Diary of a Yogi, Power Yoga with Marisa!

Marisa DeFrancesco

 

“Power Yoga Works” is an understatement! I caught up with Marisa DeFrancesco, instructor at Power Yoga Works in West Philadelphia, for her Saturday evening power yoga class. I felt instantly comfortable and welcome in the small, comfy studio space and packed all my things into the cubbyholes provided near the entrance. I walked into the practice room and was immediately struck by the heat! The room was not only soaked in sunlight but heated to what felt like nearly 100 degrees! This was going to be an experience to say the least. The mix of heat and quickly paced movements set me in the zone. By the end of the class I looked like I had jumped in a pool and felt just as refreshed and liberated as if I had. After my fellow yogis in training left the studio I sat down with Marisa to talk about what really makes yoga, work.

What brought you to the practice of yoga?

Marisa – “When I was in college a friend recommended it to me. I found this place that did spinning and yoga and I just loved that balance. I have Lymphedema in my right leg, which also drew me more into yoga. The stretching and opening helps the fluids to move around in the leg. It’s gotten a lot better…it really helps.”

What type of training did you receive?

Marisa – “I have Power Yoga training. I am a 200 hour registered yoga teacher through Hot Warrior Yoga, developed by a woman in upstate NY which is where I lived before I came to Philly. It was a 4-month intensive program. We would meet at least 2 weekends a month, all day 9-9. We learned anatomy, philosophy, sequencing, alignment, and assisting. I’ve only had my certification since May.”

How would you define yoga?

Marisa – “I always feel like yoga is a self study. You can go as hard as you want into the pose. You can challenge yourself. You can go as deep as you want; nobody is going to make you do it. It’s all about how you’re feeling that day, in that moment. I really feel like you learn a lot about yourself on the mat. Just take a step back to breath and think about a solution to whatever is going on.”

What does it mean to be a yogi?

Marisa – “I think just finding balance. You don’t have to practice what we as westerners think of yoga, the physical practice, every single day to be a yogi. As a teacher I, personally, only practice 4 times a week. But on those other 3 days I feel like I’m practicing yoga in other ways. Either it’s meditation, breathing exercises or even just living in the moment, just being  present and conscious of everything I’m doing. So not something that’s by definition yoga, but really just finding a balance in your life between what you want to be doing and what you think you should be doing.”

What are some common misconceptions about yoga?

Marisa – “A big one is that you have to be flexible. You do not have to be flexible. Go to yoga even if you’re not, that’s why you go, to develop those things. Not everyone comes in doing a full split. That’s something I’ve been working on for years and I don’t judge my body for not being able to do it.”

Okay, I think we’ve got the basics, but there is still a bit more to learn about yoga! Check back for Part II of my interview with Marisa and see how this all relates back to developing self-love!

Want to learn more about Marisa or Power Yoga Works in Philadelphia? Click the links!

Photo Credits: Marisa DeFrancesco, yogabymarisa.wordpress.com

Diary of a Yogi, What is Yoga, Really?

 

yo·ga

ˈyōgə/

noun

A Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation.

Yoga has been essential in my personal journey to self-love. It brings me a spiritual awareness and sense of presence that I have known in no other activity. But what is yoga, really? The above definition, although very straight to the point, is still very vague for most.  Many people have misconceptions and even fears about the practice of yoga or what it means to be a yogi. I asked some of my girlfriends to give me their ideas:

What is Yoga to you?

“Yoga, to me, is relaxing, being one with oneself, bending, stretching…Yoga is hard!” -Shayna, Drexel University Undergraduate

“Balance, breathing…did I say balance??” –Isma, Drexel University Grad and IT Professional

Not exactly the answers I was looking for, so I dug a little deeper to uncover the mystery that is yoga. Yoga, as defined above is a practice that combines breathing techniques, meditation and physical movement with an emphasis on correct form and posture. But is that it? My answer is no. Yoga is a spiritual practice, a way of becoming “one”, as Shayna put it so simply. Yoga is the practice of cultivating the present and reminding us of our true, kind, compassionate and nonjudgmental nature.

But all this talk of enlightened being can be too off putting for many. So in my quest for truth I met up with a few of Philadelphia’s local Yogi’s to get a better idea about what yoga really is and what it means to be a yogi. Stay tuned for the next post of, Diary of a Yogi, to meet Marisa DeFrancesco of Power Yoga Works in West Philly to see what she has to say about what yoga really is and where love fits into it all.

 

Photo Credits: https://24.media.tumblr.com/e1e89fd78534d2479674448d15cbd93c/tumblr_n3gnf2zcLH1rk0xngo1_500.jpg