by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat Matthew Remski is currently researching asana-related injuries in an attempt to understand what we are actually doing with yoga, and how we can know the value or safety of the postures we practice. After taking the time to read his first article on the subject - What Are We Actually Doing in Asana - I found myself asking questions about my practice and the pain I sometimes experience in yoga. In particular, Matthew says: I would like to explore … [Read more...]
Yoga as it is portrayed by the media is not always the same as the yoga we practice. These articles explore what happens when the tradition of yoga meets the age of global media.
All the Curvy Ladies do Practice Yoga
By guest author Anna Guest-Jelley, Curvy Yoga When I first started practicing yoga, I never, ever, ever saw another bigger-bodied person like me. Never. Most days, I thought I was the only one. But I secretly dreamed of finding others -- people who also longed for a yoga practice where no one said Lay your belly on your thighs Because, hello, if I move a centimeter, I'm already there. Wave your hands in the air Now, I know I'm mixing song references here, but I hope you'll forgive me. Because … [Read more...]
Where Are All the Fat Chicks in Yoga Media?
by Kara-Leah Grant Polarizing headline, no? Am I allowed to use the word fat? How about the word chick? Or would you prefer I lead with something along the lines of: Why are most yoga images of young, slender white women? Also appropriate. But I like the first headline. I like the way it sounds and the way I say it. How you read it and what judgement you place on it is up to you. I pass no judgement on fat. Or on chicks. This is a valid query - as one of my readers pointed out … [Read more...]
Five reasons why stock yoga photos suck, and what you can do about it
by Kara-Leah Grant Yep, stock yoga photos suck. Here's why: 1. It ain't Yoga Oh sure, the model in the photo will be approximating her body into the shape of a yoga posture, but she's not actually practicing yoga itself. Yoga isn't a posture, it's an internal state of being. It's the quality of mindfulness and presence we bring to the yoga posture. Ditto with many meditation photos. The model has got their body in the 'right' position, but they are just sitting there... there's no … [Read more...]
Yoga morning glories – what’s your practice look like?
by guest author Jenifer Parker, Healium Yoga Studio, Wellington If you are reading this in an email or on a mobile device and can't see any of the videos, please click here to read the article on the website. Recently, this video from Equinox has been floating around the web. Love it or hate it, it made me laugh. At myself. You see, this is not what I look like in the AM practicing yoga. And, I like practicing in the morning, but i'm all kinds of. . . well, you'll see. I just … [Read more...]
Exposing oneself to the news – what’s the real story?
by guest author Alys Titchener My reflections from one of the Yoga Off The Mat sessions. It’s the toughest homework assignment so far, as far as I’m concerned. All sorts of defenses and red lights are flaring as the instructions settle; I have to tune in to what’s going on in our world; listen to the news, read the papers or news sites online, and then watch my reaction to these stories. I pull a face, obviously not happy with this prescribed task. And for so many reasons! I … [Read more...]