Yoga Practice: Week 3

 is yoga framed as more than exercise? In what ways is it suggested at your practice space that yoga can "empower" you? Why not run, or do zumba?

     This week I had the very special opportunity to do Bikram Yoga and it was very challenging to say the least. I had a hard time keeping up with the teacher and trying to copy the poses. Once I got into the rhythm of the flow, I was loving it. The poses in Bikram yoga are a great stretch for your entire body and my body was feeling it at the end. I also was sweating immensely. The challenging nature of the poses gave me a tremendous workout too. 

    Personally, I treat yoga as a workout and a meditation practice, however, it is traditionally framed more as a lifestyle. Yoga is seen as a way to empower you to become a better person by doing hard practices and preforming austerities. In today's society, in the west, at least, yoga is framed as just an exercise. I can see how yoga can empower people though. After a hard practice, my body feels amazing and my thoughts are pure. For some, who are true believers in yoga, might think that these pure thoughts are thoughts of god and can give them a sense of empowerment. Running or doing zumba does not give you the same affect as doing yoga because you are not using every part of your body. 

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