Community Yoga
- Megan
- Mar 21, 2018
- 4 min read
I know yoga is supposed to be an internal practice. A focus on oneself. A union of the breath, body and movement. And I love it for all of those things. I love that an asana practice brings clarity to my mind. I love that opening my chakra system balances me and can change my whole mood. I love that a yin practice or just the experience of writing in my journal can give me strength, clarity, and a calming energy all at once.
I've heard "serious" yogis say that the West ruined yoga by making it a community event and a profitable business. And I see how much different we in the West practice than the way it was intended to when it was developed 5,000 years ago. But like most things that are 5,000 years old, I'd say it might have gotten better with age.
As a new teacher, I've been trying to get in with studios all over town and if somebody asks me to sub a class, there's not much I'll say "no" to. That means my schedule is ever changing and incredibly packed. Last week, I taught every single day for 6 days in a row. It was great and I'm so blessed to be that busy as a new teacher. While I'm grateful for all those opportunities to teach, my own practice suffers when I teach that much because not only is that time teaching, but preparing still takes me a while and I also have lots of other things competing for my time.
This week, my schedule is dramatically different and I only have 2 classes on the books. One was on Monday evening and no one showed (tornadoes were in the forecast so I'm blaming that!) Instead of losing that time and just going back home, I took that found time to take my own class. Just me in the studio. I cranked the music up loud and flowed my little heart out and it was just exactly what I needed. I connected with the 5,000 year old practice and it was perfect.
Then yesterday, I blocked off some time on my calendar to put a Groupon to good use and I took a super intense, super hot hip opener class at the most beautiful studio. That was the first time I'd been a real student in a real studio in a real long time. And let me tell you - it was nothing short of amazing. Almost spiritual. And it was modern and Western and I loved it.
I really focused on being present on my mat and I wasn't trying to memorize sequences or critique or learn from the teacher - who was amazing, by the way! I just succumbed to the practice. I let the heat loosen my muscles and the asanas completely take over. I followed her direction, pushed myself past my limits, and let myself enjoy the unity of the breath, mind and body. I left with that euphoric feeling one gets after a great class and was so much more focused on everything I had left to do yesterday.

I try to get on my mat every day - even if it's just in my basement. And if I can't make it to the mat, I try to go for a run or a walk or at least do some stretching. But there is just something about a studio class and getting really sweaty with a bunch of strangers. Appropriately timed (isn't it always?!), the teacher started class by talking about community and human connection. She talked about how a lack of personal communication is taking it's toll on our society. How people stand by each other in line, waiting, riding the subway - and they never speak or even make eye contact. Probably because they've got their heads down in their phones talking to others on social media. But when we're all in class together, we're supporting each other. We're holding each other accountable. We're pushing each other. We're encouraging each other. I didn't know anybody in that class yesterday but I could feel the support in the room. The energy was there and it felt so good.
In today's world, where there really is this lack of human interaction, I'm grateful for community yoga. For packed studios and the support that brings. Today's world is much different that it was 5,000 years ago and while focusing internally on oneself is SUPER important (stay tuned for that blog post), today, I'm in full support of community yoga. For the crowded classes, the amazing teachers leading them, and the brave souls who own the studios to provide the space for us. And today, I'd encourage anyone reading this the same intention our teacher gave us yesterday. This week, as you're waiting in line or checking out at a store or just passing someone on the street, make eye contact. Say hello. CONNECT with them on some level. You just might make their day.
Namaste.
P.S. Shoutout to the studio that gave me the amazing experience - Ember Yoga and a big thanks to Marie who led this most amazing class and inspired this post!
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