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Final Journal Write-Up

As I reflect on my semester-long experiences of yoga, I find that it has caused me to make new impressions, observations, and feelings about the practice. Although I was unable to be present in an authentic physical yoga environment or meet the people who frequent the classes and make up the yoga community in my area, I was able to be a part of the yogic environment created by my professor and the various yoga instructors who mediated the practices through technology. This modality of instruction was sufficient for someone like me, as a beginner, to learn yoga. Almost every instructor had their own way of producing an environment that was conducive to a restorative yoga practice. For instance, Amita and David held their sessions inside of their yoga studios, while Jenn taught from inside of her home but in a space filled with natural light and plants spread around the room. Each of them also demonstrated the practice while they were teaching. As a viewer and student on the opposite sid
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Journal 11

     For today’s practice I decided to incorporate meditation since we have studied the yoga sutras over the past week. The online session I chose in dedication to this weeks topic is a Youtube video titled “Restorative Yoga + Meditation | No Props 35-min Relaxing Practice”. The session was instructed by a young woman whose channel goes by her name, Jessica Richburg. To begin, she informs me that we will be holding each pose for 1-2 minutes and that there will be a gentle warm up and cool down sequence, plus a short meditation at the end. She explained that this particular practice is intended to be slow paced to reset your nervous system and help with any pent up stress or anxiety.        I was relieved to hear that we would be working slowly. I’m realizing, that I am more able to immerse myself into the practice when I have time to take in each posture comfortably and with the proper breath. I found that Jessica’s voice was perfect for this kind of video. Her relaxing tone set the am
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Journal 10

     In my practice space, yoga is used as a form of meditation. Since practicing yoga is how I escape, tuning to the meditative aspect of it is what makes me feel centered and rejuvenated. Although I meditate through yoga and do not meditate alone, I eventually wish to develop this ability. For now, I would like to focus on gaining more yoga experience. Once my yogic abilities are adequate, I can further my education of meditation to add a meditative portion to the end of each yoga session.      However, I currently practice meditation by way of yoga. This consists of obtaining a sense of mindfulness. I try my best to keep my mind from wandering and solely focus on my body and the task it is performing. I keep particular things in mind, like my proprioception and my senses, such as the carpet under my feet while standing in my practice space (bedroom). Additionally, the patterns of breathing that take place during my yoga practices play a role in upkeeping mindfulness and adds to the
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Journal 9

     This week we did not practice yoga as a class. Instead I decided to get my session in before our class time. I turned to YouTube for a thorough, yet beginner friendly online session. The video I chose came from the channel Yoga with Adriene and is titled "Yoga to get the juices flowing- Morning Yoga". I have done yoga before bed on multiple occasions. I wanted to try yoga first thing in the morning to judge the potential difference in the quality of my day.      To begin, Adriene guides us through a stretch sequence. The sequence was so much more satisfying than the typical big stretch that I experienced when I first hop out of bed.  From this point, I felt mentally grounded and bodily prepared. My body felt as though it was now awake and ready "to get the juices flowing". Her constant big breaths were followed by ones of my own, as hers were a reminder to me. Although I tend to be forgetful of my breaths, it is the most transformative part of the practice for
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Journal 8

     Today's yoga session was instructed by Jen Kretzer, who held a shivananda practice. I was relieved that she practiced along with us while simultaneously facilitating the class since I am a visual learner and perfectionist. Because of this, I was assured of my pose executions. This has been my first time practicing shivananda. I was introduced to new aspects of yoga such as pranayama techniques I had not known existed like the open/close nostril breathing. Now that I have experienced shivananda, I can confidently say that it is my favorite so far. I'm not sure if it was this form of yoga itself or the instruction of Jen or both, but I was totally engaged in the session. I am interested in taking another shivananda class to further explore my new found preference.        I enjoyed how the sequence in which we practiced was cohesive. Jen began pranayama techniques, followed by a warm up. The feeling of easing into the practice made for a better quality of experience this time
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Journal 7

The origin of yoga can no longer be identified in the West because of the non-traditional form of yoga that is now performed. Yoga began with the primary purpose of connecting to a higher power. Channeling that higher power through particular actions or lack thereof (austerities) were combined with mantras and rituals for yogis to serve as a vessel for the deity worshipped. Over time there has been a transition from this traditional culture, to counter culture, and now to pop culture.      Living in America,  I do not have to be apart of a yoga session to make observations on it. Yoga is present on various platforms. Entertainment through movies, commercials and television showcase yoga. When yoga is referenced in the media or used for advertisements, there is no sense of being informed. At this point Americans are expected to know about yoga. The way in which its popularity is displayed as a well known lifestyle, is responsible for this lack of information.      Yoga has been effected
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Journal 6

    Yoga is viewed by many as a healing ritual. Whether psychological or physiological or both, practicing yoga speaks to us in a way that relieves disparities in the body. Personally, my practice space contributes to the healing aspect of yoga starting with the sacredness of my bedroom. My room is my sanctuary where I feel safe to do and feel as I please, at any point in time, as long as I am there. To feel calm and comfortable is a good way to begin the process of healing. Here, I can be as quiet or noisy I'd like. While practicing yoga, my space has minimal sound, maybe nothing but a fan and the sound of the instructors voice. This way I am able to concentrate on my body and the instructions being given. Simply having the ability to concentrate is what kickstarts the process of my yogic healing.      During practice, the instructor reminds us of our breath and the way in which particular postures are aiding in the healing process. They refer to this process in different aspects
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