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Peaceful, Present, and Prepared Birth

Are You a Yoganista?

1. When you first see a new, over-the-top trend in yoga clothing (think MC Hammer yoga pants) you:
     A. Shake your head in disappointment. These clothing companies are just looking to make a buck, it’s totally not yoga. This, too, shall pass.
     B. Immediately order a pair. You MUST be the first to wear those in your studio.
     C. It takes you a while, but after the trend catches on and all your favorite yoga teachers are sporting them you usually end up following the trend.

2. You wear yoga clothes:
     A. Only to yoga class (and occasionally to sleep in)! They’re way too ratty and worn out to wear them anywhere else.
     B. With everything! Your yoga tanks double as camisoles under work clothes, your warm up sweaters look ravishing with jewelry and jeans for a night out on the town, etc. The more you wear it, the more you feel justified buying!
    C. For class, walking the dog, and lazy weekend trips to the grocery store or coffee house.

3. When it’s time to buy a new yoga mat you:
     A. Don’t. People used to practice yoga in a cave! Why do you need to spend money on a fancy mat?
     B. Carefully consider your yoga wardrobe … You want a high-quality yoga mat that will keep you from slipping, but also look great with your clothes, and bring out the color of your eyes, too.
     C. Spend some time comparing the grips of a few different brands, but ultimately buy the same brand your yoga teacher or other students you know use.

4. When you decide what to wear to yoga class, your first consideration is:
     A. You don’t have to think about it. You wear the same thing every time.
     B. How can I mix and match my favorite yoga clothes in a new and creative way?
     C. You just throw something on that will be comfortable and cute.

5. When you think of yoga accessories, what comes to mind?
     A. The asanas and your breath.
     B. A trendy headband, cozy wrap, stylish mat bag, and a fresh pedicure.
     C. A water bottle, towel, and pony tail holder?

Mostly A’s — Yoga Minimalist
You don’t buy into the hype. You know that yoga is really about connecting body, mind, and soul—and that’s it!

Mostly B’s — Yoganista
You might be a spoiled yogi. You love wearing your yoga clothes in new and creative ways. It’s OK to love fashion and be a trendsetter, but don’t forget to keep it all grounded in the principles of yoga.

Mostly C’s — Comfy Chic
You want to look and feel great in your yoga wear. You are no slouch in the studio, but you don’t feel the need to buy something new every week either.

[Image: Sadhya Crop from Beebliss.com]

How to Look Like a Yogi

When I worked for Yoga Journal, there were several occasions when I’d step into the elevator at the office only to be greeted with the question: “Are you one of the yoga people?”

Now, it’s not like I was walking around the office in yoga clothes most of the time (thought, I admit I did choose not to change after a lunchtime class a time or two) so it’s strange that in my normal office attire people still pegged me as a yogi. I didn’t adorn myself with Om jewelry or greet people with “Namaste.” I didn’t even carry a yoga mat with me because I left mine at my desk. So I never really put my finger on what it was that made people look at me and think, “she does yoga.”

I guess I just fit into some of the most common stereotypes about yogis… Perhaps, the following:

I’m a young-ish white girl with a small frame and fairly toned arms (have I mentioned my love for arm balances?).

I wear minimal jewelry and natural-looking make up.

My style is laid back, sometimes a bit Bohemian, which I guess could be interpreted as a little hippie.

I like lavender essential oils and lotions, so maybe I smell like hippie, too. (But not the kind that doesn’t wear deodorant.)

I eat a lot of salad (so I often had a big one with me in the elevator).

I’m cheerful, happy, and friendly to strangers.

I hate being stereo-typed, but I suppose there are worse ways to be labeled. Do you think people who don’t know you identify you as a yogi? What do you think it is that makes them think that—or not?

Confessions of a Spoiled Yogi

It’s one of my main objectives in life to show people that you can be a yogi without being a perfect, happy, healthy, angelic being. I might look like a yoga student. I can touch my feet to the back of my head. I have all the great clothes. I know the Eight Limbs. I can talk to you about philosophy and history for hours. But, like everyone else, I have some major issues. Here are a few things about me that aren’t exactly in keeping with the whole “yoga persona” our media has created.

1. I wear make up to yoga class. Not a lot, mind you. It’s important to look natural. But you better believe if I have big zit I’m going to cover that sucker up! I also wear mascara because it makes me feel pretty. You never know who you might meet at a yoga studio.

2. I yell when I’m mad—a lot! I might be seeking inner-calm, but I haven’t exactly found it yet. And sometimes that results in outer, um, projection. I know all the rules of alignment, but sometimes I’m still a bitch. (But, at least I know it.)

3. I eat junk food every time I go to a long yoga training—a conference, an immersion, a teacher training. Pizza, cupcakes, candy bars, potato chips … there’s just something about being surrounded by healthy, svelte, yoga people who only eat fresh, organic produce (or at least that’s what they want you to think) that makes me want to be rebelliouis. I walk, even run, to the closest convenience store at the first break, and then I look both ways to make sure nobody else from my class watches as I buy and/or eat something bad. (Then, for some reason, I usually tweet about it. I guess I’m not shy on the Internet, only in person.)

4. When I was teaching yoga regularly, there were a few student I just didn’t like. I tried to like them. I was nice to them. But they got on my nerves. Now, I always wonder if I’m that student that gets under my teachers’ skin.

5. I say I’m a vegetarian because I don’t want to explain to people that fish is the only meat I eat. I would probably be vegan, except for the fact that I kind of like fish and I LOVE cheese. (I seriously consider cheese one of my favorite things on this earth!) Oh, and sometimes I order the Broccoli Cheese soup even though I know it’s made with chicken stock, because, well, you know how I feel about cheese.

Single Yogis (Put a Ring on It)

One time I tried a new yoga class with a new (to me) teacher. When I got there (10 minutes early, like a good yogi) I sat on my mat and the teacher immediately came by to quiz me. “Do you have any injuries? Are you new to yoga? What activities you do? Are you are ballerina? a circus performer? a hula hooper?” (I’m not making this up.)

I was (and still am) confused by her line of questioning. “I’m a yogi,” I said.

“Oh, well, what kind of yoga do you practice, then?”

“Eh. I dabble. A little of this, a little of that.”

“Oh…” her voice trailed off. “Well, one day you’re going to want to commit to one style of yoga and one teacher, OK?”

I politely agreed. But deep inside (or maybe not so deep)the bratty child in me protested, “You’re not the boss of me!” I didn’t agree at all. I just don’t understand why I’d want to limit myself to one perspective on such a vast practice. But maybe I’m missing something.

Commitment is a concept I’ve been pondering a lot lately. What does it mean to be committed to your yoga practice? a meditation practice? Should you commit to a teacher? a style of yoga? a studio? What does that mean anyway?

If I commit to Ashtanga, but attend an Anusara class does that make me a cheater? I joke about dating new yoga teachers until I find the one that I have chemistry with, but when I find my new yogifriend should I stop learning from others? A commitment to yoga is obviously not the same as a commitment in a relationship, but I still think it’s important to show your commitment through your actions.

In our culture, we equate commitment with buying things. (I don’t make the rules. If you don’t like it, take it up with Beyonce.) The first thing we do when we decide to commit to our practice is buy a yoga mat. Perhaps the next step is to purchase a series of classes at a yoga studio (the more we buy the more committed we are!). Then, we might buy a book or subscribe to a yoga magazine. The holy grail of yoga commitment is enrolling in a teacher training. For me, writing that check felt like getting down on one knee and proposing.

Of course none of these things really has anything to do with commitment either. They’re just gestures of good intentions. When it’s all said and done we might know our practice and ourselves better, but that’s really all we can hope for.

The whole point of the practice is to be happier, healthier, and more balanced. Sometimes I find more of those things by doing an asana practice, and sometimes I’d be better off to read a book. My commitment is to my own happiness and well-being, not a specific teacher or style of yoga. I’d put a ring on that.

This is for all you single yogis out there!

What are you committed to?

Parivrtta Trikonasana: My Arch Nemesis

Dear Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose),

I hate your guts.

You make my hips burn, my ankles ache, and my jaw clench. You compromise my balance. You make me feel weak, agitated, and just plain mad. I find you so irritating, in fact, that if I never had to practice you again, that would be fine with me.

I know this must be hard for you to hear, so please know that it’s not personal. It’s not you at all really—it’s me. I would break up with you, but I know there are still lessons for me to learn from you. So I will endure your unpleasant company, but I will NOT like it.

Love,
Erica

P.S. Tell your brother, Parivrtta Ardha Chandrasana (Revolved Half Moon Pose) I hate him, too.

Unlock the Power of Yoga: 5 Reasons to Make It a Part of Your Daily Life

1. It’s raining outside. Now is your chance to get your yoga on without feeling guilty for not taking the dog to the park or beach. She’d rather be inside anyway.

2. If you’re going to procrastinate anyway, you might as well do it with yoga. It’s Sunday afternoon and yoga is WAY more fun than ironing your work pants, cleaning up the kitchen, and other Sunday afternoon chores. It’s WAY healthier than Facebook.

3. No one knows what the week will bring, but whatever it is, you’ll be a lot more capable of dealing with it if you start the week out with something that leaves you calm and refreshed. Think about how much better your life would be if you did just ONE thing everyday that made you feel that way.

4. No one else is going to do it for you. If you want to improve your outlook on life, the length of your hamstrings, the quality of your breath, or the tone of your gluteus maximus (and who doesn’t?) you have to do the work (and play) for yourself. This is a good time to start!

5. I’ve heard David Swenson say, “I’ve never finished my practice and thought, ‘Man, I wish I hadn’t done that!'” Have you? No matter what’s keeping you from unrolling you mat—laziness, allergies, or something else you want to accomplish in your spare time—you know you’ll feel better after you’ve practiced. Just do it.

Happy Sunday!

Goodbye Coffee Ritual! We’ll Miss You.

The last two days I decided to give up my morning coffee ritual and roll my yoga mat instead. Besides, I can get to work a few minutes earlier and have my coffee there. I’ll be happier, calmer, and look like a dedicated employee who gets to work early! Everybody wins!

But here’s the problem. My morning coffee/email/Today Show ritual isn’t just my “me time.” It’s also my bonding-with-Penny-the-Puppy-Time. While I sip my coffee and check my email and write blogs, Penny brings me toys to throw for her. Then, eventually, she curls up in my lap for a few minutes of petting and baby talk before I have to get up and get ready for work.

My morning practice time isn’t “me time” either. I unroll my mat, Penny gets on. I do my first Downward Dog, Penny runs from across the room, between my legs and licks my face. I stand tall in Tadasana, a stuffed duck plops at my feet. Penny looks up at me, her tail wagging. “Please, oh, PLEASE will you throw this for me?,” say her big, brown eyes.

I feel incredibly, horribly guilty. It’s not exactly the inner peace I was looking for. But I think we can start a new morning ritual that we’ll both be happy about, right?

SWY Seeks Yoga Teacher

I’m having a difficult time finding a yoga teacher who I really click with in my new ‘hood. It’s really hard to describe what makes a yoga teacher your match. It’s like there’s a chemistry there that just works. In fact, it’s a lot like dating. Which is why I’m considering taking out a personal ad. It would go something like this:

Single white yogi seeks skilled yoga teacher. Loves arm balances, backbends, and philosophical walks on the beach. Teacher must be authentic, knowledgeable, a little funny, a little serious, down to earth, easy to understand, and willing to admit when she/he doesn’t know something. Those who speak with phony, soothing yoga teacher voice need not apply.

I guess I just need to go on more “dates”.

About Spoiled Yogi

Erica Rodefer Winters is a yoga teacher who loves helping pregnant and new moms find more balance in life through yoga, meditation, self-care, and humor.

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