Yoga Purists-Change-Always A Student-Bob Davis Podcast 746

Lobby time at the Yoga studio. Lots of discussion about yoga and life. One of my teachers suggested I talk about Yoga Purists in my next Yoga Podcast. Sometimes change is the challenge in Yoga Purists-Change-Always A Student-Bob Davis Podcast 746.

Good Habits Can Be Limiting

Especially relevant is the pace of our busy life. My solution to a busy pace is to create habits. Same classes. Same times. Yoga Every Damn Day. The same yoga.

These days some yogis feel strongly about spirituality in yoga. Moreover some yogis feel one type of practice is THE practice and that’s all they do.

Is yoga a religion?

I used to think it was not. Two veteran teachers have told me Yoga IS a religion. The spiritual component is there if you want it. We’ll talk about it in Yoga Purists-Change-Always A Student-Bob Davis Podcast 746.

Do I Have To Be Spiritual?

Does a yogi have to be ‘spiritual’. Moreover does a yogi have to be observant? My young teacher training friends tell me new people these days come in because of the spiritual component. What if you’re not so interested in that part of the practice.

This Practice Is The Only Practice

Finally I started with one ‘kind’ of yoga. I thought that one kind of yoga was the be all and end all. Like many ‘hotties’ I thought we were the strongest and the best practitioners of yoga. I was a purist.

One night the sculpt teacher across the hall didn’t show up and the sculpt students joined our ‘Bikram style’ hot class. ‘Bikram’ purists have often remarked, “Sculpt Is Not Yoga”. This would be the proof.

It’s Not A Competition, then again…

Moreover, I am here to tell you those sculpt students kicked our asses and convinced me I had to try sculpt.

Consequently branching out turned out to be a path to growth. Furthermore, sculpt made me stronger and improved my other practices. imagine learning a practice I thought ‘wasn’t’ yoga could make me stronger and a better yogi.

Go With It!

In conclusion creating habits to accomplish goals is a good thing. In contrast habits can also make us reluctant to accept change. Classes change. Teacher’s schedules shift. Studios offer more of one type of class than another. The one constant is change.

Sometimes if we go with the flow, we are shocked to find we like it more!

(Editor’s Note: In this podcast I refer to a purist as an iconoclast, which is of course the exact opposite of a purist. Sometimes I crack myself up.)

Sponsored by Water Butler Purification Systems and Hydrus Performance

Yoga Purists-Change-Always A Student-Bob Davis Podcast 746

 

Ego-Narcissism-Meditation-Yoga-Always-A-Student-Podcast 732

A new study says egos get bigger after meditation and yoga. Wait! What? I thought yoga quiets the ego? Get my reaction to this study in Ego-Narcissism-Meditation-Yoga-Always-A-Student-Podcast 732.

Study Could Shake Up Yoga Community

The study, from Southhampton University makes some claims that might shake up the Yoga community. In the west these days our ‘persona’ is a product and a real thing. Furthermore social media emphasizing the ego.

Yoga Stereotype

Especially relevant is the emphasis placed on youth and beauty. Yoga in the US certainly has a stereotype. So it’s especially relevant given these factors, people may do yoga to feel better about themselves. Is that so bad?

Hitting The Mat To Lose Weight

We come to the mat for many different reasons. For beginners, spirituality usually isn’t one of those reasons. People want to lose weight. Some want to look good for an upcoming event. Others are stressed out. In addition some yogis use the practice to cross-train for a better finish for the marathon or to make their golf game better.

Judgements Aren’t All Bad

We’re not supposed to make judgements. We do, though. One thing I understood years after I started practicing is that yoga amplifies what is inside you. If you’re a jerk, yoga will make you a bigger jerk. I explain how that might work in Ego-Narcissism-Meditation-Yoga-Always-A-Student-Podcast 732.

Yoga Journey

The study didn’t examine how yogis change after practicing for a few years or decades. What if comparisons and judgements are part of the yoga journey? Therefore, if we stay on the path we learn lessons that put the ego in perspective.

Talking About Myself

I spend a lot of time talking about myself in a podcast taking the position that yoga is in fact ego calming. I find that most noteworthy and ironic.

What Is A Healthy Ego?

In conclusion, what is a heathy ego? When does a healthy sense of self become narcissism? For many students of yoga this is a huge part of the journey. Maybe its starts with wanting to lose weight or look good, but ends with profound insights.

Sponsored by Water Butler Water Purification Systems and Hydrus Performance

Ego-Narcissism-Meditation-Yoga-Always-A-Student-Podcast 732

Black Seed Oil-Double Dip Yoga Challenge-Mind Over Matter-Mandela Effect-Podcast 725

It’s over one hundred degrees on Memorial Day weekend in Minnesota. These days, when it’s this hot what does a yogi do? We’ll talk about it in Black Seed Oil-Double Dip Yoga Challenge-Mind Over Matter-Mandela Effect-Podcast 725.

Life Lessons On The Yoga Mat

Especially relevant is the idea of learning life lessons on the yoga mat. Every now and then at the studio where I practice we have something called the Yoga Challenge. Students can do 10, 20 or 30 lessons in a month. Type A’s love a challenge. Even better, why not do thirty classes in less than thirty days? I share my experiences as a student in these podcasts.

Double Dip Challenge

To meet the challenge we have to ‘double dip’, or even ‘Triple Dip’. That means more than once class a day, usually back to back.  Some people think those of us who do this are crazy. However I have learned some important lessons pushing myself to ‘win’ the challenge.

Consciousness or Brain Power?

Most noteworthy is an increase in consciousness. If you feel giddy after one power yoga, hot yoga or yoga sculpt class, imagine how you will feel after two? We get into it in Black Seed Oil-Double Dip Yoga Challenge-Mind Over Matter-Mandela Effect-Podcast 725.

Mind Over Matter

Moreover after a few days of double dipping it’s really a challenge to keep going. I never understood the often heard phrase “mind over matter“. Thought it was some kind of voodoo. But something happened this week during my double dips that taught me once and for all what ‘mind over matter’ really means. What’s more, it’s a lesson that carries into life off the mat as well.

The Wonders Of Black Seed Oil

This month I have also added Black Seed Oil to my regimen. I discovered Black Seed Oil on You Tube. I’m telling all my friends about this stuff and they aren’t even paying me!

Not The Mandela Effect!

Finally, the overall effect of all this yoga is an elevated consciousness. I’ve been here before. You don’t sleep very much. Hearing and sense of smell is elevated. Ringing in the ears. You feel great all the time. Sometimes though, thoughts appear in your head that make you question reality. (Thankfully the challenge will be over soon and I will come back down to earth!) I’ll tell you about something called the Mandela Effect in Black Seed Oil-Double Dip Yoga Challenge-Mind Over Matter-Mandela Effect-Podcast 725.

Sponsored by Water Butler Water Purification Systems and Hydrus Performance

Black Seed Oil-Double Dip Yoga Challenge-Mind Over Matter-Mandela Effect-Podcast 725