For some time, I've been feeling the need for a new focus, a new challenge. I've played around with yoga for some years, most of the time feeling awkward, frustrated and wondering why I was trying to bend and stretch in all manner of strange positions when I could be out running or sweating through a killer step DVD.
Recently though, due to my barefoot running practice, I've begun to change my views on exercise, health and fitness and develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be healthy. I've been teaching this same philosophy for years, i.e. that your mind is as important as your body, yet time and again, I ignore it in my own lifestyle. Through connecting my bare feet with the earth, I'm becoming more in tune with myself, opening my eyes to a wider perspective and seeing new pathways opening up.
Going back to yoga, whilst I used to think of it as merely another form of physical exercise, I've now learnt more about its teachings and background and realize that the physical part of yoga is only one aspect of a complete system that becomes not just a series of exercises, but a way of life. It's not about pushing through restrictions and forcing your body; on the contrary, the idea is for the mind and body to flow together in the same direction rather than one retaliating against the other. It's a method of self-exploration - a path that keeps evolving, calmly and mindfully.
I think it's important to understand this before embarking on a yogic journey. Only then does one begin to reap the rewards.
Although I spend much of my time teaching movement, I'm not a yoga teacher. My reason for beginning this blog is to share my experience as a student and it's a role I'm looking forward to, even if it's a little daunting.
My inspiration and instruction will come from a man called Travis Eliot. I have a number of yoga DVDs and my most recent purchase was one developed by him called, "Yoga Short and Sweet". It included four thirty minute yoga classes, three of which were taught by him and one taught by one of his colleagues. I was dubious whether or not I would be able to feel the benefits of just a thirty minute session but the way that Travis teaches, coupled with the expert filming and unbelieveable music, left me feeling calm and serene!
I searched for more information on Travis and his other DVDs and came across his "Ultimate Yogi" box set. This set of twelve DVDs is designed to take you through one hundred and eight days of yoga, from "cross training" to "meditation". It also includes a nutrition guide, encouraging veganism, which suits me as I eat very little meat, fish or dairy. Those who know me will wonder how I'll cope without beer - we shall see!
It is something I plan to commit to daily. It's also something that I know will have quite a profound effect if I'm diligent and focused in my practice. I'm hoping to gain some physical benefits (a fabulous body!) but ultimately I'm interested to see how it will influence me mentally on a daily basis and how it will affect my approach to all aspects of my life. I'm not sure how it will fit in with my current exercise; I'm hoping to still do some running and swimming but will let go of the need to do those things if necessary. I like the idea that it's a set time period and I imagine that, after one hundred and eight days, yoga will naturally remain a part of my daily routine.
I expect the DVDs to arrive in two to three weeks so I guess I'll check in again then...
