yoga

[lilamp]

finding a yoga class that's right for me seems much harder than i expected it to be. i'm beginning to think that i might as well not be doing any at all unless i can find something that really feels right. classes at big studios/gyms are difficult because my body seems to have very specialized needs, and of course at the gym they are more focused on the exercise aspect of the practice than on a holistic mind/body approach. what i really want out of a yoga practice is not just a more well-rounded physicality, but also a way to feel more connected and in tune with my body. i've never really been able to feel myself in my body and connected to it, except when i'm able to dance with full abandon (something which i usually need schedule I chemical assistance to achieve, although sometimes if i'm in the right frame of mind, a little alcohol will do it), but even then i'm not really _aware_ of myself in my body, it's more like i've transcended it... i really feel the need to understand myself more holistically and to learn how to feel comfortable in my body. if only i could afford a private teacher...

Comments

[censorydep.livejournal.com]

Wow, those are some mighty joint issues! And I could see some of those making yoga pretty difficult. I don't know a whole lot about it, but perhaps Tai-Chi might be a better match for you? I understand it has some of the same mind-body connection aspects, but it definitely has less emphasis on the thing that sound like they would hurt you.

I could actually do most of my yoga without a mat, there are just a few poses where bone presses directly against the floor, in which case I would want a mat. But, in general, I am pretty "well padded". *grin*