For the frugal poet or
any person in pursuit of a simple, yet elegant, intelligent and active
lifestyle, yoga is one of the frugal choices. Yoga can be performed
virtually anywhere, at most anytime, indoors or out, with little to no
equipment. It’s also easier on your joints and other body parts than running,
for example. Yoga is therapeutic not only to the body, but also, ultimately, to
the mind and emotions.
I consider yoga the “superfood” of physical practices. My
definition of a “superfood” in the edible world is a food that offers the most
nutrition for the least amount of calories.
I consider yoga a “superfood” or “super-practice” because even small
amounts can bear much reward for so many of our human aspects. Yoga can for
many become a lifelong learning experience.
It certainly has for me. As a poet with a background in
dance, yoga attracted me about 15 years ago. It attracted me not only for its
nature of being physically outer-directed and ballet-like in its attention to
alignment and form, but also because yoga is inner-directed with its focus on breathing
and meditation. And being a poet who’s already inner-directed, I felt
practicing yoga bears a “sympatico” similarity to the process of writing poetry,
as each assists in the unfolding of inner authenticity and self-knowing, if you
let them.
As time went on and the more hours I spent at my desk writing,
the more I felt the need to balance my life with yoga, walking and hiking, and
occasional drop-ins to Zumba and weight-training classes. Today, “sitting is
the new smoking.” Our contemporary lives spent sitting behind a computer or at
our tablet/cellphone is now considered even more dangerous to our health than
smoking. I didn’t want to envision a future life ensnared by doctors’ bills,
pharmaceutical medications or my time shortened by being sedentary. As the years
progressed and I found myself in career transition, I actually took the plunge
and spent 10 months training to be a yoga instructor.
Since my graduation and certification last year, I now about
spend a third of my time writing in my home office, a third of my time teaching
yoga at various Chicago-area studios, and a third of my time (not counting
sleeping, which is important to me!) living my life involved in other
activities and among family and friends. I know I am quite fortunate and even
blessed to be at a time in my life to able to experience this great balance.
And yoga itself offers even more inner balance, as does my spiritual faith. I
look forward to uncovering more secrets about yoga as my practice deepens. I
yearn to connect more dots between human anatomy and how yoga can enhance every
part of the body. The more I learn, the more I understand how much I don’t yet
know and have yet to explore.
Teaching yoga and getting paid for it is a great way for me
to keep in shape, contribute to my cash flow and avoid the cost of a pricey
yoga studio membership at the same time. Also, I am invited to use some of the
larger facilities’ weight rooms at no extra charge, and can take additional
classes either for free or based on my hours of participation as a teacher or
substitute teacher.
There is a quote on the wall of one of the local yoga
studios: “When one teaches, two learn.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein. It’s so true.
When I teach yoga, my students each teach me something, whether it’s about
another way of getting into a pose, a question about yoga I may have never
questioned before, a new way of using a yoga prop, or simply teaching me more
patience and compassion.
We all don’t want to become yoga instructors, or need to. So
how can anyone simply interested in yoga or looking for a new place to practice
do so frugally? Most yoga studios offer a drop-in rate to try out their
facility for one class so you don’t have to be caught up in a membership you
may not want. Groupons are often available for one-month or two-month memberships
on a seasonal basis, as they are at McFetridge Sports Center, where I regularly
teach. Many studios promote other deals such as bring-a-friend-for-free, one
free week, three-class packages and the like. And if you don’t own a mat or any
props, most studios provide them.
As much as I appreciate yoga, I don’t believe it should
stand alone as your solitary physical practice. A good walk (which can also be
mindful as well as inspirational for your writing!) and some regular, and not
necessarily strenuous, weight training can round out what your body needs to
maintain strength, flexibility and endurance.
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