Everyone has an opinion, right?
Even if you feel super clear, and don’t ask for it, there are people that just can’t help but project their beliefs onto you.
I know i’ve been guilty of it too.
The problem is when the opinion is so strong that somehow you get thrown you into that place of uncertainty again.
What happened to that awesome feeling of free and clear?
Since I began this blog back in 2013, I started getting a lot of opinions on what to post about from friends and fellow bloggers to help build traffic.
I had one friend tell me to write about controversial yoga topics because those are more likely to get shared.
But, I don’t want to do that.
I don’t want to create controversy for the sake of shock value and shares. Plus, what would that do for my following? I’d just have people who want to click on this one post to see what all the fuss is, and then never return.
My goal is to build a community around helping people with simple practices to find inner peace in every moment.
Another thing I am always told to write about are things like, “yoga for back pain,” or “yoga for runners.”
Mostly, I was told to do this because it would be great for search engine optimization and shares. I appreciate that advice, but to be honest, the thought of those posts seem soooo boooooring to me
If you want to learn about yoga for back pain, or runners, or tight shoulders, then Google it.
There are a million posts out there on that. I’m sure you’ve seen images on Pinterest for these targeted areas as you scroll through.
I always considered it because I’m interested in building my following, but it wasn’t until recently that I finally said an authentic NO.
Mainly, I don’t believe in Yoga for “fill in the blank” pain.
Here’s why:
Yoga is not just stretching. I know those are popular topics, but my belief of yoga goes deeper. Yoga is not like a pill you take for awhile to cure an area, and then you’re done.
The whole aspect of yoga heals you. If you do yoga day after day consistently; your back pain or sciatica (or fill in the blank pain) will eventually heal itself. The yoga sutras say that any future known pain should be avoided, so by practicing mindfully, you can heal.
I’m not saying yoga should be done in place of a doctor. Sometimes we need to see a doctor and follow a doctors advice for certain types of pain.
In fact, I have a story about that….
I had a precancerous mole removed with stitches a few years ago. When I did this, I was told not do exercise or any stretching. I tried to resume my yoga practice, but I kept feeling a pull on the stitches, so I meditated for two weeks instead. You need to treat your body mindfully and find that balance.
I’m talking about general pain you might feel in your neck from staring at your computer screen for too long, or tightness in your lower back from living a sedentary life, or stress pain.
I’m NOT talking about excruciating pain that feels like an injury, or where you can’t move.
If you’re unsure of your pain, then go see a doctor. Use yoga alongside your doctors prescription to help with healing.
Ashtanga yoga is a set series of postures, and with daily practice, I have cured every pain that’s come to me.
If for some reason my yoga practice slacks off, then I tend to have a reoccurring neck and shoulder pain. This is because whatever stress I am feeling finds real-estate in my neck and shoulders.
We all know that practice mirrors our life, so if I’m not practicing, then you can imagine there’s something stressful going on that I’m not dealing with.
When I hop on the mat and practice daily and mindfully, I instantly change my habits, and the pain goes away. This is not just because of the physical practice, but because I let go of whatever is happening to cause this pain emotionally.
I personally don’t believe in teaching yoga for a specific area. I believe in teaching a consistent spiritual practice to heal your mind and body.
Here’s what I encourage in a yoga practice to take care of pain or discomfort:
1. Practice daily, even if it means just a few Sun Salutations or meditation.
2. Practice slowly: Take more breaths to get into the postures, and focus on what your feeling internally.
3. Be mindful: When you feel pain, or something just doesn’t feel right – modify.
4. Consult a yoga teacher on how to modify postures.
Sun Salutations start every yoga practice. They have a healing quality because they create flow and movement in the body, and steadiness of mind. You’re strengthening and finding flexibility with each muscle.
You’re also warming and waking up each cell in the body that are sometimes stagnant.
Lastly, you’re focusing on the breath and movement together, which creates a meditation to heal the mind.
This is the perfect start to create space in the body, calm the mind, and rid the body of tightness and discomfort.
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Namaste!
To open hearts & hips,
Monica
