Listen to Your Body (i (zoe) would say more 'listen to your mind' - see below for reasoning)
If I listened to my body I would smoke four packs of cigarettes a day, drink a fifth of vodka, and eat nothing but chocolate ice cream as I lay on my couch.Our bodies are creatures of comfort and routine. While it is true that our body is one of the very few things in this world we have some control over, the reality is we have all been betrayed by our body (think sneezes and gas).
Our body can only be mastered through discipline. No one ever spontaneously thinks: “Gee! I think I’ll sit absolutely still for an hour and contemplate the universe!” That’s why yoga, regardless of whether it is asana, jappa, or meditation, is called a practice.
now, i do believe in 'honoring' your body - you will hear yoga teachers say this a lot. i've also heard this from running coaches. for instance, when i hurt my knee during the austin marathon two years ago and had to have surgery (that sucked balls, by the way) i 'honored' my body by resting as hard as that was. when i'm feeling tired or sluggish during a yoga class or a run, i 'honor' my body by taking it easy instead of trying to be all competitive and fold deeper than the girl to my right or hold my chaturanga longer than the dude to my left. i skip a sun salutation or two because i simply don't need them. i'll take a day or two off from running when i'm not feeling well. i 'honor' my body.
but as the author says, listening to your body is different - i would extend this into listening to your head as well. for instance, training for and running distance is hard work and takes a ton of time. it's easy to talk yourself into skipping a run, or cutting a long one short by a couple miles. i may talk myself into going out drinking (and maybe having a few cigarettes) with friends the night before an early morning run, and then either a) drag major ass during my run, or b) skip that mo fo altogether. i can even talk myself into skipping yoga (gasp). i love yoga, but sometimes i just wanna be lazy. but when i don't go to yoga, or i don't practice at home, i feel the effects inside - and i don't like it. it makes me feel uneasy and on edge almost. so, i know that i will feel awesome after a practice or meditation, as much as i may not want to do it at the time.
Listen to the Guru Within
In many lineages, the mind is compared to a monkey, a species that is known for throwing feces. If you happen to have a guru living within you, what makes you think it is possible to converse with it through the shit-storm of thoughts you are constantly having?I know many have a knee-jerk reaction to the concept of a guru—and for good reason. Many a douchebag has hung a shingle to fleece the masses and sleep with a lot of women.
here's my take on this. i have met and come across quite a bit of hypocrisy throughout my yogic journey. i have met some vegans that are huge advocates for this lifestyle (which is great) but judge and look down on meat eaters such as myself. some of them think that a yogi can't possible be enlightened and a sympathetic, caring, human being if they are eating animals who have been killed for our nutrition. if you are a vegan and choose to live that lifestyle, that is awesome - anyone who dedicates themselves to something, has genuine intention for that, and believes and lives a certain way - well, i have respect for you. but i expect you to have respect for me and others just as i do you.
and there was recently a huge scandal of a very well-respected, well-known (some may say famous) yoga 'guru' - he was fucking many female students and some other stuff. really?!? makes you question his intentions altogether. he got greedy, power hungry, cocky, and just started to become this kinda rockstar person who was fucking all these female students.
there are 'yoga snobs' out there, as i like to call them. they think yoga is the only way to live, look down on others who don't practice, look down on other yogis who don't follow the same lineage or practice differently than they do. everyone follows a different path, whether it be another spiritual outlet or whatever. don't judge others and think you're all high and mighty because others are different than you.
Just Breathe
Have you ever told someone in a rage to “just breathe”? Have you seen their response? If facing someone in a rage, you can just as easily say: “It’s not my fault that your life sucks.” It will get the same reaction.Breathing is autonomic—we don’t have to remember to breathe because we are always breathing. It is appropriate to remind someone to breathe in an asana class if they look like they are about to blow a gasket, but only under those circumstances.
I understand the point of this cliché under other circumstances as well. It is meant to bring our awareness to our breath, to allow us to slow it down, and with the breath, to slow the mind. But when facing a challenge, a real connection can help bring someone back to a point of equilibrium. I know that when I’m frustrated and upset I need sincerity, not another cliché.
our breath is the only thing that is both voluntary and involuntary. you can't live without breathing - you can only hold your breath for so long before you gasp for air and your breath cycle starts again. however, you can control your breath through pranayama. yoga is physically challenging, but there is a difference between telling one to connect to their breath and to 'just breathe'. it's like, 'bitch, i am breathing! and my breath is find! i'm connected to my breath! but you just threw us through multiple sun sals and it's fucking 105 degrees in here' (i could go on a rant about heated fast-flow yoga here, but i won't at this time). you can still be connected to your breath and not straining for your breath, but this is not the queue to tell someone to 'just breathe' - just stay connected. the word 'just' is so condescending to me. not sure if this made any sense.
Surrender
See “Just Breathe” above.surrender to what?? like, let it take over as if i'm being saved and speaking in tongue?!? i'm here, aren't i? i'm myself, i'm zoe, and i'm here connecting to my mind and breath. i don't get it when people say 'just surrender' - makes yoga sound like some cult or something.
Align/Awaken/Energize Your Chakras!
Don’t say this. Ever. These words make you sound like a dirty hippie.haha - i just think this is kinda funny. but, just like my daddy used to say - it's not what you say, it's how you say it. reminds me of this youtube skit below for 'shit yogis say':
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMC1_RH_b3k
It’s Just Fear.
This cliché can be translated into “I don’t care what you think or how you feel.” This is the ultimate dismissal in a yoga class. Often, it is accompanied by cliché #3.(Next time you hear this, kick the person in the shin and say: “It’s just pain.”)Fear is the most common emotion, and the final attachment. Even roaches scurry under the fridge when you approach, because they fear death. Fear stems from the memory of pain. And when someone is remembering pain, they are actively reliving it.
Offer comfort. Be aware of the suffering, and help that person cross the abyss. Abandoning them to face it alone is cruel.
fear is a part of life and is a true human emotion, and sometimes reaction. there is nothing wrong with feeling it either. saying it's 'just' fear is implying that it's not significant, not a big deal - 'it's just fear, get over it'. surrender. and it's like those that say this think they're all holier than thou - it's kinda condescendingi'm scared of doing a headstand without a wall behind me - and when i'm ready and confident, i'll lose the wall. i have seen people go through a self-transformation because of yoga - deep meditation can bring you to tears, and make you confront emotions you have been suppressing. some asana poses release stress and strain in parts of your body that actually house emotions, and releasing that tension can result in a strong reaction. it can be scary - but it's not just fear. it's a valid feeling - and one should be able to face this feeling when they are damn good and ready and not made to feel like this fear is somehow insignifant.
You Should…
You should be vegetarian. You should do more yoga. You should practice non-attachment. You should breathe. You should do what I tell you because I’m yogier than thou.It’s hubristic to tell people how to live their lives. How about suggesting, mentioning, or simply stating your opinion as that: an opinion!
you shouldn't do anything that is not true to you. everyone has their different path - no path is right, none is wrong, and no path is is better than another. same goes for religous folk trying to tell others what to do, and currently trying to legislate it. there 'shouldn't' be gay marriage - it's immoral (don't get me started on those fucks). you should follow this belief. you should do this, you should do that. everyone believes and lives their own way. let them be. you can believe whatever you want to, but i expect you to respect my beliefs just as i respect yours.
Set Your Intention.
There’s another cliché about intentions: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”There’s another cliché about the other side of this coin: “Actions speak louder than words.”
It’s always good to have a clear plan of what you would like to have manifest in your life. But all the vision boards, journal exercises, visualizations, and affirmations in the world will not get you what you want if you do nothing about it. If all took to manifest the life I want was day dreaming, I’d now be a rock star. And a super model.
Intention without action is common. And it is self-delusion. I have often heard from people about their intentions after they did something horrible and hurtful. The intention excused them of personal responsibility or guilt.
Setting an intention is where our dreams begin. Thereafter, it is hard work. Let’s stay focused on the bigger picture. Not just the easy part. Because telling people what they want to hear is easy, but it isn’t helpful.
How about we ask people to set their intention, and then follow through?
These phrases only come up often, but mostly when someone is uncertain, looking for answers, or suffering. To be in need and receive any such statement is an automatic blow off. I’ve seen people open up to others, hear a quick cliché, and then immediately shut down. It is cold and alienating. Alienation seems to be the burden of this age. If we are to work on our spiritual development we must foster connections and community, and ameliorate the burden of alienation.
Yoga is more than just asana, or a personal practice; it is also about community. We need to listen to one another, to hear what is really being communicated. We don’t need to have all the answers, but the absolute minimum we can offer is the time to listen with compassion.
When people come to us with questions, facing uncertainty, and operating from a place of pain, they really need comfort. Giving comfort means giving more of ourselves, more of our time and our attention.
i'll just kinda add something here. i do set an 'intention', but let me clarify what i mean by that. i think of something or someone i want to send energy to. i sent a lot of energy, love, and light to judy's family when she was really sick and died - i still do this. i would send messages to judy asking her to come see me and watch over those that love her. i have prayed for those who have wronged me - it is hard to do this, but it does make me feel good. i pray for confidence. i visualize myself crossing the finish line strong and proud at my next race. i pray for the universe to surround my sister and nephew with strenght and protection. i thank the universe for all it has provided me in the past, that which i am receiving now, and all i have yet to receive. these are my intentions - i choose something or someone to send energy to.
here's the link to the article by maya georg:
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2013/03/yoga-cliches-that-must-die-maya-georg/
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