What is the difference?? and what is not-exactly-yoga??

Well yoga is (here are a few takes):

- an ancient practice, practised by ascetics (monks) in the Himalayas, who have nothing else to do.

- co-opted practise developed to generate Indian Nationalism in the early 20th Century, drawing on some cultural traditions, perhaps some ayurveda, militray drills and 1920's gymnastics

- an aspirational 'practice" that floods places like instagram with impossibly pretty pictures, hypermobile bodies and the latest lycra fashions with a generous serve of spiritual aspiration.
In other words, a way to dwell on our faults while pretending you can be someone other than who-you-are....

so..... I dont teach 'yoga' these days...

We live in a busy
demanding
rapidly changing
world
( no caves in high mountains for us!)

our nervous systems are disregulated
our brains fried
our bodies depleted

we dont know who we are
we dont understand what is healthy
what our bodies can do ( beyond our beliefs/ideas about ourselves)
we dont even breathe properly

let alone give ourselves time for some
loving attention
permission to not even necessarily rest ( although we do that to)
more importantly permission to simply
be ourselves
to experience who we are

to enjoy the moment
the simple things
like
being alive

so, in our not-exactly-yoga classes

We take time. We move. We breathe. We pause
in ways that support rather than impose more demands on the body and nervous system.

we tend to ourselves a little more gently
in some small way more generously
than we usually take the time for

We do do things that are 'like' yoga poses

and things that most certainly are not
sometimes things for fun - we need play and laughter
sometimes things for deep impact

its yoga-like
but is WAY more than yoga

it really is delicious
and nourishing
for ALL-of-you

bring Yourself along
and get ready to enjoy
being you
for a while
( watch out - it is contagious!)

questions?? you can email or call me
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