In Yoga, The Form Is the Substance

I’ve been thinking a lot about form over substance lately. Form over substance is the concept that the image or look of something matters more than the content or ideas behind it. We are working on a strategic plan at Hearing Health Foundation and while most of the strategic plan discussion centers on the organization’s mission and goals for the next five years, as it should, part of the conversation has been about the form of the plan.

For example, does it matter if the plan is a powerpoint document or a word document? Is it important to use images as part of the plan? Should we lead with the mission statement or the financial goals? In this situation, I think both the form and the substance are important, since the content is not helpful unless it is understood by others, but clearly the substance takes precedence.

This got me thinking about yoga (doesn’t everything?) and how in yoga, the form actually IS the substance. Doesn’t that make things simple?

Continue reading →

Is Taking Your Spouse To Bikram Yoga Good For Your Marriage?

April 21, 2015April 16, 2015 Hot Off The Mat Class Experiences, Yoga and Life Bikram, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Yoga

Is taking your spouse to Bikram yoga good for your marriage? I think so! I had been practicing for a little over 2 years when I first starting thinking about taking my husband to class. He was always complaining about his back hurting and his stress level and commenting on how I seemed much more relaxed and less achy since I started a regular Bikram yoga practice.

I had shown him some of the postures, especially when I first started, and he always laughed that he could never get his body to do any of them. I told him it didn’t matter, as long as he tried the right way, he would get 100% of the benefits. He chuckled at that, but I guess it got him thinking.

Continue reading →

Remember — It Is A Posture, Not A Shape

April 14, 2015April 8, 2015 Hot Off The Mat Class Experiences, Postures, Yoga and Life Bikram, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Meditation, Yoga

I got a very helpful adjustment in class today that made me think about my yoga practice and my life. “Keep moving your muscles throughout the entire posture,” the teacher said, “otherwise you are just putting your body into a shape.” My attention snapped back to class — I have to admit that my mind was wandering at that particular moment. But this got me thinking — had she simply caught me in a lazy moment or was my practice becoming routine? Was I just putting my body into shapes or was I practicing yoga? Continue reading →

Back After a Break – First Ouch, Next Ugh, Then A Happy Sigh

April 7, 2015April 5, 2015 Hot Off The Mat Class Experiences, Yoga and Life Bikram, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Yoga

I was lucky enough to take a long and lovely two week spring break vacation with my family. It was heaven — no school, no work, no writing (although I like writing), but also NO YOGA! For someone who practices 4-5 times a week, no yoga for two weeks is a big deal. I missed it, but I was so busy with other activities that the time passed quickly and I made no real effort to maintain my flexibility or practice at all. A full stop break. And by the way, there was a lot of great food on this trip.

So when I walked into my studio on Monday, I was a little bit nervous. How would my body react to the hiatus? Would I fall right back into it or would I be stiff? What about my stamina? Should I resume my normal practice schedule or build up to a daily practice? And what about all that extra food and drink I enjoyed on vacation? I had my work cut out for me.

Continue reading →

Interesting Reads – 10% Happier By Dan Harris

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015 Hot Off The Mat Great Books About Yoga, Interesting Reads, Self Improvement Bikram, Bikram Yoga, Hot Yoga, Meditation, Yoga

Today we are starting a new feature on Hot Off The Mat entitled Interesting Reads. In Interesting Reads, I will periodically share my thoughts on recent books in the yoga and meditation realms. If you have any suggested books, please let me know in the comments. I am looking forward to sharing this with all of you.

I just finished an interesting book on meditation entitled 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works. It was written by Dan Harris, an ABC newsman, who details his transformation from meditation skeptic to author of a book on the subject. It is a fun and quick read as he shared interesting anecdotes from his life and how they led to his inquiry into and eventual adoption of meditation as a daily practice. Thank you to Souzapalooza for suggesting the book to me! Continue reading →