Articles
Monday, 1 September 2003
Yoga: Keeping Balanced
Dorothy Segovia
[Published in San Luis Obispo County Magazine]
The first thing I discovered balance is that being centered will feel unusual at the beginning. It’s like that suit story: The one about the man who adjusts himself to a suit that has the left arm longer than the right. The pants, of course, have the right leg longer than the left. Because this is the man’s only suit of clothes, he forces his body to align with the suit: We can picture what happens to the poor fellow when he finally finds the suit that fits.
Finding a yoga class can be uncomfortable too. With the variety of classes offered here in San Luis Obispo, choosing a teacher can be intimidating. However, as a beginning student who values traditional yoga, I have discovered three powerful beginning yoga classes that keep me balanced on the Central Coast.
Teresa Clevenger led the first introductory class I joined. A yoga teacher since 1993, Teresa gives clear instruction on the yoga poses as well as the “attitudes” of traditional yogic practice. Her style of teaching was so graceful, joyful and concise that an intermediate or advanced student would also benefit from this basics class.
“I introduce the attitudes, postures, the conscious breathing as well as the meditation of yoga,” Teresa sits up in her chair, warming up to her favorite topic. “The main point that I teach is self trust. This includes finding the right yoga teacher.”
Her style is to demonstrate and explain a pose and then demonstrate the beginning and intermediate modifications. Because of her background as a nurse, Teresa has the knowledge to explain exactly what benefit the pose is giving to our body. Teresa allows plenty of time for her students to learn each posture. Beware! If you decide to force your body into any of the advanced poses, then this energetic lady will quickly, yet gently remind you to stop struggling and be at peace with where you are.
My next yoga class was with Richard Manuputy. A teacher since 1975, Richard’s flowing postures embrace traditional yogic thought. His gentle instruction is clear yet poetic. Observing the breath is the base from which he teaches us to practice each pose.
“Yoga needs to become part of one’s life in order to draw the full measure, it should not be practiced casually,” Richard explains. “Yoga has become very trendy and turned into another form of exercise to be added to the junk pile of so many fitness fads when it goes out of fashion.”
As we practice, Richard reminds us that if our breath turns ragged, then to lower our intensity until our breath is steady. Staying focused on the breath keeps us aware of our ‘edges’.
“To get the full understanding of yoga it is necessary to go back to the old texts and read those who follow the ancient lineage of Yoga Masters. Over all the paths I have investigated, yoga is the quickest way to realize God.”
Richard’s gentle guidance, manner and expertise made me feel good about choosing this class. His introductory, beginning and advanced classes are an excellent choice for anyone who wishes to embrace yoga as a spiritual practice.
Bikram Yoga is the 90-minute, 26-posture series class that I tried next. Also called Hot Yoga because the room is heated, this style is designed to facilitate deeper stretching, prevent injury and to release stress, tension and toxins.
“I was attracted to the systematic flow of the Bikram series because of the very precise and detailed breathing exercises and postures,” Amy Pittelkau laughs. “ Besides, I’m a Capricorn and I thrive on this style!”
I thrived on this style also, even though I was apprehensive at first. Amy, a certified Bikram instructor for over three years, goes over the class format with me in detail before my first session.
“When one starts a yoga practice, it’s helpful to have specific goals in mind such as stress reduction or healing a bad back,” she advises.
I am here because of pain in my shoulder from an old injury. Amy herself came to study Bikram Yoga in order to heal physical disability due to repetitive stress injuries, back injuries and Fibromyalgia.
The precise exercises and consistent instruction by Amy combined, kept me more focused than I had been in the other classes. The heat had a lot to do with it: In order to keep up, my mind had to give up.
Yogiraj Bikram Choudhury is the founder of the worldwide Yoga College of India. When Bikram injured his knee and was unable to walk, he created the 26 posture series under the guidance of his guru, Bishnu Ghosh. The postures are practiced as a series and will heal an injury only with consistent practice. Certified teachers of this style must undergo a training program under his guidance in order to teach his method.
Whatever yoga path you chose, all of the teachers have one piece of advice in common: Self-trust is the key to finding a yoga suit that fits.
End