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Yogi Archives
Previous month's answers to Frequently Asked Questions about yoga
from an modern American yoga teacher's perspective are made
available on this page.
Question
Hello, first of
all I'd like to say I very much enjoy your website. I am
a beginner and have only taken a few classes. I noticed that during
the
classes I start feeling very sad almost to the point where I want to
cry. This emotion continues until a few hours after the class. Is
this a
common occurrence for beginners and will this stop, or will this go
away
after a while ? Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks and have a
great day.
Answer
Namaste Fellow
Yoga Practioner,
Yoga in time,
trains the body and mind to be more sensitive. With repetition during
mountain pose, Tadasana, students begin to stretch their toes
and balls of their feet forward as their heels stretch back,
maintaining a clear connection with earth joining heaven. Or going
deeper with steady practice, sometimes students hear God’s whisper
during a meditation.
This awareness and
refinement as a yoga practioner enables us to continue to grow and
stay awake. And when we are awake, our senses also mature on and off
the mat.
Our sense of taste
is more poignant, our smell is more expressive, our listening and
hearing becomes an art, our words more mindful and our touch is more
loving. It is from this place where we experience a deeper
understanding of life and loss cultivating great compassion. We are
open, our hearts are soft and receptive. We become more vulnerable,
and love follows.
Sadness and love
rest in the heart. It's ok to cry in yoga class (it helps soften the
eye muscles and internal gaze). Practice acceptance and seek out
support (teacher, friends, family, and professionals if needed). As
time and practice passes, sadness turns to pain, often pain of past
experiences of present loss. With awareness and mindful breath, we can
return back to the present moment, this precious moment of being and
breathing (the gift of life). The emotional cycle continues like the
seasons of the year or the tides of the ocean.
I encourage you to
continue practicing, and seek support if the emotions are becoming
obstacles for daily activities. I admire Jack Kornfield, a great
master who speaks of emotions and meditation. Check him out. So I hope
I was able to share some insights to you. Keeping questioning and
exploring answers.
With love,
Megan McCarver
Question
Hello!
I\'d like to make some enquiries…
I've started to practice Yoga. I'm 26 years old and I want to grow
taller. I'm clear that I won't grow taller as a result of Yoga, but
I wonder if I can gain some extra inches by adjusting my posture (I
don't have any problem in my spine.) If it is possible, how soon will
it take for an average person to gain one inch if he practices
everyday.
Thank you!
Answer
Namaste Fellow Yoga Practioner,
I am so glad to read that you are practicing yoga. Yoga will not
actually make you grow taller, but will simply make you feel taller.
Practicing yoga regularly (two to three times a week) will retrain
students to stand taller, improving posture and cultivate more
confidence and acceptance with in oneself and their surrounding
environment.
I believe the two foundations of yoga are first, to connect with
your breath and second, to sense your prana (energy) flowing both
inside you and around you. Once you connect with your breath, you
will discover it is easier to breathe when your spine is as straight
as possible for your physical structure.
In general, most people have a tendency to slouch. They are over
worked, over stressed and plain old tired. Most people spend long
hours in a curved back position working on a computer, or driving a
car or even pleasurable activities like holding babies or reading a
book.
Yoga practioners look taller without having to gain a single inch.
Their presence can be projected as having a bigger appearance. The
self confidence /acceptance students receive from regular yoga
practice often reflects students with greater stature (stat•ure (stăch'ər).
From Old French, from Latin statūra. 1. The natural height of a
human or animal in an upright position. 2. An achieved level;
status.
So I hope I was able to share some insights to you. Keeping
questioning and exploring answers.
With love,
Megan McCarver
Question
Hi! When I do yoga, I don’t know why thoughts come
and go in my mind. I am trying feel and hear the breath. But not much success. I
want to tell you I got thinking habit from my childhood period. I am from India.
Now I am in UK. But thinking habit in UK more then India. I got 2 daughters,
older 5 years old and younger 3 years old. Every body knows I am thinking too
much. In India was less thinking. I don’t know may be life different I am trying
to stop my thinking. Can you tell me is thinking is stress or not? With thinking
I got acid and body pain. I know that when your thinking or worrying your body
not getting enough oxygen than problem start. Can you tell me solution or
breathing exercise for my thinking problem? Thank you very much please reply.
Answer
I wish I
had the perfect answer for your question. Please know that most
practioners, even the most advanced meditators are sometimes
challenged with a busy mind. Yoga is a practice which means you are
not going to get it all at once. Some times it takes years, for
others, life times. The key is to practice regularly.
It is ok if your mind is busy. We are not monks meditating all day.
We are modern day practioners exploring order in chaos. Life is
busy, some cultures busier than others. Stay open to one clear
breath at a time, slivers of bliss. Lower your expectations and keep
practicing.
As you continue to practice you will find that you are modeling a
mindful path for your kids and beloved. Perhaps find a local teacher
in your area who is compassionate.
With appreciation and love,
Megan
Question
Hello, I have been
wanting to learn Yoga basics for along time. So I'm not even a
beginner. I was wondering if I would do alright at trying this, due
a physical condition.
I had my right leg
amputated about 5 inches below my knee. Surgery was done in Feb.2003.
So I'm familiar was my movement and where I my loose balance. I would
love to have Yoga as a very important part of my life. Any suggestions
or advice, is greatly appreciated. Thanks so very much. I am truly
enjoying and learning here.
- Yoga practioner
Answer
Namaste,
Thank you for your eMail. The yoga tradition has been passed down
from teacher to student for many generations so that we could
embrace Yoga as a very important part of our lives during all times
of our lives. The practice of yoga is different for each student and
when taught properly, helps us to accept our limitations. For me
this is the core of a lifelong yoga practice. A person in his or her
90’s cannot expect to do the same postures they mastered in their
20’s … at least not without some adaptations. My dear friend
Catherine used to tell the students of a bald monk with no arms and
no legs that lived alone in a cave high in the mountains. His daily
practice included a headstand in the snow every morning.
Begin with your breath. Practice mindful breathing five minutes a
day. As it becomes easier and stress free, two weeks later increase
your time to ten minutes daily … eventually working up to twenty
minutes a day or even twice a day if time allows you.
Yogaeverywhere.com/breathing/index.html
I encourage you to study asana practice with a seasoned Iyengar
teacher. Iyengar style yoga often instructs with props and
adaptations of the postures and works well with special needs of the
students. Don’t give up if the first teacher feels unable to tailor
their class to your needs … it takes a mature and clever teacher to
teach a group class with students possessing different abilities and
limitations. Your goal is a good one … keep asking questions until
you find a teacher to give you a supportive launch in to the
practice of yoga. Contact your local Iyengar studio. You may want to
experience several one-on-one lessons before you can join a group
class.
I am honored to be answering your question and wish you well in
locating a local teacher and yoga studio.
Please keep me posted on your practice!
With love,
Megan McCarver
Question
I learned few types of pranayams about an year ago from my
father...like kapalbhati, anulom vilom, brahmri, bhastrika and
udgeet.
I see enormous positive effect on me...in best possible sense of
word. But i also like to enjoy a glass or 2 of red wine in a
day...and sometimes i feel guilty...plz advise thanks.
- Yoga practioner
Answer
Namaste,
Your request for advise is not easy for me to answer and is a very
important topic for the modern yoga practioner. I was compelled to
meditate, ponder, discuss and explore this topic area with my
respected peers to gain a deeper understanding about myself and
various life styles. Thank you. I admire your courage and honesty
and I admire you have a father who has taught you the Pranayams. How
fortunate in your life.
The modern man/woman must practice moderation in a world of chaos.
Does sipping red wine cause you to forget your self? It might be
worth it to you to explore and meditate (journal, investigate,
ponder) on the following questions.
How does
red wine effect your physical body?
Your energetic body?
Your intellectual body?
Your emotional body?
Your spiritual body?
Is “enjoying” a glass of red wine causing conflict with your family
and or culture?
Does it deter you from your yoga practice?
Although modern societies condone drinking, many other ageless
practices emphasize the non-drinking of alcohol. So most important
is to be true to yourself and your constitution.
With love,
Megan McCarver
Question
I want to start practicing yoga outside of the group classes. How do
I begin a morning yoga practice in my home?
Yoga practioner
Answer
Great question. A good start in building your personal practice is
in rising on the “right side” of the bed. If at all possible … try
to awaken gradually with the natural light of dawn (we open our
blinds before we go to sleep to prepare for the morning light.)
You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face
And show the world all the love in your heart
Then people gonna treat you better
You're gonna find, yes you will
That you're beautiful as you feel.
- excerpted from "Beautiful" by Carole King
As you awaken … allow two to three minutes to stretch a little bit in
bed. You might even integrate a thought or prayer of gratitude into
your morning routine.
Waking up this morning, I smile.
Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.
I vow to live fully in each moment
And to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.
- Thich Nhat Hanh
It is suggested to shower before you practice. At the end of your
shower, turn on the cold water and let it shower your armpits. Yes, it
is cold and invigorating. After brushing teeth, have you tried a
tongue scraper yet? Cleanses your tongue, reduces plaque and aids in
fresher breath.
Are you in the mood for asana or meditation? So many choices in your
personal practice. You could take a moment to observe your breath. You
could read dharma or silently recite a morning prayer. Or you could
begin your day with a morning sequence.
Here a summary of my ever changing morning practice … please add your
own creative influence to tailor your morning asana practice to
your needs.
Begin with “Downward facing dog” and then follow with five or so “Sun
Salutations”.
Or simply begin by laying face up, arms resting at your sides, palms
face down.
Inhale; raise your parallel arms over your head, reaching the backs of
your hands to the floor.
Exhale lowering your parallel arms by your side. Do this five times.
Now bring your knees to your chest and lift head to knees. Then draw
your stomach inward.
Bend your right knee placing a foot on floor, straighten your left leg
extended your foot to ceiling. Now rotate your foot 10 times clockwise
keeping your leg still, now rotate it 10 times counter clock wise.
Then repeat on your other side with your other foot.
Almost done … now gently do a spinal twist dropping both knees to the
right. Repeat on your left side. Roll over on right side and pause.
Get dressed …smile and begin your day. Namaste ... Megan.
Please send you questions to
editor@Yogaeverywhere.com
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Yogaeverywhere.com's
efforts by purchasing your next yoga mat, strap, mat or more at YogaEverywhere.com's
Yoga Store. When in the California Area ... attend one
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YogaWorks Studios. Thank you
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Megan's Credentials
 Megan
Lurie McCarver, MA, C.M.T., is a certified Yoga instructor in both
Hatha and Kundalini styles of yoga and has been teaching yoga since
1994. In 1993 she co-founded Santa Monica Yoga & Bodyworks, founded
YogaEverywhere.com in 1999, and is the author of Keyboard Yoga and
Print and Go Yoga at iVillage.com. Megan has always made it her goal
to educate and enrich lives in a loving and kind way. In keeping with
her philosophy, she is proud to turn the online world on to
YogaEverywhere.com. Currently Megan is teaching private and corporate
classes in Southern California Beach Cities area with classes and
special workshops in the Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach YogaWorks
Studios.
Megan believes that yoga, when regularly practiced even for five short
minutes a day, can create more love, peace and happiness in this
world!
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