Question:

A So ask what is this "yoga" practice that you are proposing to yourself that doesn’t feel like it fits, and then try proposing a "different" yoga practice that you can resonate positively with. We get stuck in agendas and its great that you not only see some patterns (lots of us do not), but that you desire to change it. Sometimes that is exactly what we "need" i.e., to shake up our agenda and practice and suggest a new plate (menu). There exist many types of effective practices as there exist constitutional types. There are rajasic (fiery and active), tamasic (slow and cooling), and sattvic (balancing). Sometimes it takes a rajasic practice to create balance (if we are overly tamasic) and vice versa, so we may ask what will feel "right" (sattvic) right now? There are many other ways to analyze our constitution or energetics and achieve effective change with asana. I find going into the platform of asana open minded as a meditation and learning experience with no other agenda (other than to allow the asanas to come out from deep within) is best. So I suggest just to start the process (does it feel best to start in tadasana, sitting, downward dog, or what ask what is it of all the postures that grabs you now and allow yourself to climb into that loving warm embrace and see what comes up. Emotional components may come up, memories may come up, images may come up, that is all fine. Use the breath and move deeper into it and through it and see what asana wants to come up when that is finished. If you feel like sitting in deep silence and stillness and/or meditation that also may be what you need. Is this a "good" use of this time and space as an investigation of self, of the body/mind, of the energy, and as an re-alignment? This is how I try to approach my own daily practice (too often I have habitual agendas which feel safe and secure but only create stagnation). I enjoy challenging my self imposed stasis and old habits and  liberating myself from "it". A functional approach to asana practice can do this and have profound effects upon our energy and awareness. This is not some new touchy feely approach to yoga. Actually I was taught that this is ancient teaching taught by Lakulish (an incarnation of Shiva) and is associated with an ancient Pashupatti Tradition (o longer though to be extant). It was also similar to what Swami Muktananda taught as well. But regardless if this practice has an ancient name or history or not, this approach may serve to break up some of the old dysfunctional programming and conditioning. So when we say;" I know this is not normal, but it’s pretty routine for me. Sigh. So, it’s days like this that I really don’t want to do yoga", let me take the liberty to suggest that you change it by saying that it’s days like this that I really don’t want to do my old yoga routine, but instead these type of days require a new innovative and customized approach to yoga allowing the yoga process itself to disclose what this maybe (as a tool of self discovery). Space and Time = A structure/platform to explore the possibilities which we have hidden from ourselves through the veils of habit and conditioning. The Divine Lila is always available when we allow to move from the Heart Have fun!

Response:

Wow , it makes me Want to cry

Response:

Show me that man who can cry and I will sit at his feet. myee

Myee – don’t say things like this, I know a whole bunch of guys who can cry – including myself – cry because of grief, cry because of joy …  Last night I was a little bit crying because I was so lucky to be with my beloved one – it felt so good to hold her – like the luckiest man on the world. So, you want to sit at my feet? Get yourself an airlineticket to germany! (My new job – "Guru") ) <just making fun Sat Nam – Hari Har Singh

Response:

A, I agree with others that trying a new approach to yoga might help. (Could be a new approach to what you’ve been doing; could be a style of yoga you’ve never tried . . .) Sometimes finding it is hard, especially when one is feeling depressed. A simple step would be just attending a class you’ve never tried before. Are there a variety of classes available to you? If not, there are great books and tapes around. When your energy is low it’s nice though to be able to sort of tap into the energy of others in a (good) class, whether it’s the teacher or other students. But do be open to trying some mellow postures on your own and just see if that brings you out of your thoughts and inspires you. This is probably good advice for anyone who practices yoga! When I began practicing yoga a few years ago I was really depressed. Within a year after I moved to a new area, I was completely overwhelmed by the work to be done on my new place, and the lack of job or money. And these things do strain relationships, don’t they! I guess I lost the things that were grounding me–am I right in assuming that’s part of what you’re feeling? Anyway, I started attending a hatha yoga class, a pretty tough workout, actually! I think the structure of just getting out in the world and taking a class was something I needed, but I found something great in that yoga that really helped me. And just being in the moment in the postures helped me stop thinking the negative thoughts that were not of much use to me. I hope you’ll let us all know what you find, A. Sharon – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m… a little bummed out lately. That’s not true, actually, I’ve been on a crying jag for two days now. I do this, I always have, but it’s uncomfortable and tiring. I’m sad because my son started school again and my husband is gone on a business trip and won’t be back for another week and we’re low on money. If that’s not enough to gather rain, though, my mind will find something from the past to dig up and emote about. For hours. While tears leak out of my eyes. I know this is not normal, but it’s pretty routine for me. Sigh. So, it’s days like this that I really don’t want to do yoga. I feel wrung out. My eyes sting and my nose is hot. I have heard though, that one of the benefits of yoga is that it evens out the temperament  eventually and that sooner or later thinsgs like this — emotional defects — are corrected. What do you think? Should I do yoga when I get like this and ignore the sheer exhaustion and puffy eyes and headache, or — should I blow it off because I am so bummed out? is it true that eventually I won’t have crying jags like this someday if I stick with practice? Do you know any specific asanas that help with this kind of thing? Thanks in advance. A

Response:

I’m… a little bummed out lately. That’s not true, actually, I’ve been on a crying jag for two days now. I do this, I always have, but it’s uncomfortable and tiring. I’m sad because my son started school again and my husband is gone on a business trip and won’t be back for another week and we’re low on money. If that’s not enough to gather rain, though, my mind will find something from the past to dig up and emote about. For hours. While tears leak out of my eyes. I know this is not normal, but it’s pretty routine for me. Sigh. So, it’s days like this that I really don’t want to do yoga. I feel wrung out. My eyes sting and my nose is hot. I have heard though, that one of the benefits of yoga is that it evens out the temperament  eventually and that sooner or later thinsgs like this — emotional defects — are corrected. What do you think? Should I do yoga when I get like this and ignore the sheer exhaustion and puffy eyes and headache, or — should I blow it off because I am so bummed out? is it true that eventually I won’t have crying jags like this someday if I stick with practice? Do you know any specific asanas that help with this kind of thing? Thanks in advance. A

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