My Yoga Philosophy

Since it's the nature of Buddhism not to judge other people, suggesting that I'm judgmental about yoga in the US right now feels ripe for bad things to start happening.

So I won't judge.  But I will define clearly what I mean by yoga.

Because, you see, many, many blogs exist to document fat girls doing asanas.  And they are killing at doing asanas.  They're in full inversions, full splits, doing crazy-bendy things with their backs and shoulders, binding...you name it: fat girls are doing some serious asana practices.

I have to admit, this is probably less important to me than it should be.  I've struggled in the physical side of my practice because in addition to being fat, I'm extremely tight in the flexibility arena.  Holy cow.  And part of the reason for this blog is to work through that tightness which, any yogi (or yogini, which I am) could tell you is a binding of it's own kind.

I'm carrying a lot of all sorts of shit around in these muscles and joints: tension, stress, anxiety, you name it, it's there.

So, while I hope to progress through my asanas, pranayama (breathing), and the control that comes from really practicing all of yoga...not just sweating through a vinyasa practice or proudly conquering chattarunga, which was a proud moment I once had about ten years ago.

This for me is a perspective overhaul that I'm trying to design by fusing the breath and intentionality into everything I do, especially that which is focused on my physical health and well-being.  I love vinyasa yoga so much.  But it's been a tremendous revelation to me to practice it not as a source of exercise but with the actual intention of orienting myself to breath....real breath and not that shallow crap we do everyday because we're not thinking about it.

I am in no way on regimented yogic journey into Buddhism.  I might feel a little conflicted about that but I'm a died-in-the-wool Catholic and I'm already deeply invested in that.  No, instead the yoga this fat girl does is yoga that inspires intentionality, presence in the here and now, and an attempt to find greatness and sync with the world around me, social and natural.

And I'll do asanas too.  Of course.