I wonder what you think about the topic of music in yoga classes? I go to a lot of Vinyasa and flow classes – and have a dance background – so sometimes the right music really moves me, or alternatively, complete silence inspires me. What doesn’t work is the new age drecky stuff that so many teachers seem to think is necessary to be “spiritual” in class. I won’t name names to be bitchy, but oh, okay, since you’re twisting my arm, I’ll name one. Does Enya for the hundredth time really take you to God faster?
Just sign me,Yoga Rocker
Dear Yoga Rocker, Meeeooow. You are a yenta after my own heart. I agree that diversity is important and that the ambient soundtrack of yoga (silent, musical or otherwise) can have a major impact on the practice, either inspiring...or not so much.
Enya aside, we all have different moods and tastes. Appreciating your instructor’s music selections or lack thereof is part of the process of finding the classes that work best for you. Although it would be great if yoga teacher trainings included DJ school, this is clearly not the case. You can try making your own mixes for home practice and sharing them with some of your musically-challenged instructors (but, don’t be insulted if they don’t play them in class).
Just as we experience poses differently in our bodies every time we do them, we can try to do the same thing when we hear the same songs over and over again. The point is to get out of our heads and have an internal experience, including tuning out the music, noise or distractions that don’t work for you.
Om Shanti & Infinite gratitude,YY
Dear Yoga Yenta, I started taking a Power Yoga Basics class a few months ago. There are certain sweeping movements – and forgive me for not knowing the names of the poses yet – during which my leg is way up in the air and my hips are open when I can literally feel my vaginal wall opening and the air rushing in and then being expelled as I move down into the Pigeon Pose, sometimes with an extremely embarrassing burping noise. Today as I breathed, it kept happening to the point that I almost started laughing, hoping no one heard (I’m sure they did) or at the very least, just didn’t know which person it was coming from!
Is it my physiology or does this happen to most women? Are some of these poses meant to open and/or exercise the vagina? My instructor has stated from the beginning that yoga is a personal practice, requiring no judgments, leaving our ego at the door, so I’m taking this in stride, but I suppose it would help a little to know that I am not alone in what I am experiencing at times.
Namaste,Anonymous
Dear Anonymous (I would be too),If ever there was a reason to go to yoga classes in which they play loud music, you’ve nailed it. Oh my! For those of you who thought farting in yoga was your biggest fear, think again. Of course, I can only imagine this experience since it’s clearly impossible for such a horrifying sound effect to come from a dainty yogini like me. Okay, maybe just once. Ummm...twice? But I’ve completely avoided inversions in yoga ever since – especially if there’s a cute boy in the room.
What you are experiencing is totally normal. Practicing yoga helps the energy flow more freely in our bodies and often moves bad toxins out, whether we like it or not. Lord knows we all have some extra hot air that needs releasing. Yoga also helps us to challenge our judgments, egos and needs for control. We learn to gracefully accept ourselves, a particularly confronting task on those occasions when our bodies will just not listen to our minds. So if you’re unable to mask those embarrassing noises with a diversionary sneeze, cough or dramatic lion’s breath, look on the bright side, at least there’s no odor involved!
Om Shanti & Infinite gratitude,
Have a question/comment for Yoga Yenta? E-mail yogayenta@yahoo.com and if yours is printed, you’ll receive a Yoga Yenta tank top! (Don’t forget to include your address.) © 2005 Yoga Yenta
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