Comments on: What yoga is

By: jamie

jamie — Sat, 21 May 2011 02:32:19 +0000

Mariellen, awesome! I am thinking about creating an online “sangha,” maybe on Facebook, where people who are into this yogic approach (along the lines of what Mark is saying and as you have discussed above) can hang out, share their stories and inspire each other. Would you be interested in something like this? Namaste.

By: Mariellen

Mariellen — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:44:29 +0000

Oh, nicely said, Jamie: “my intimacy with the divine.” That’s what yoga is for me too.

By: jamie

jamie — Thu, 19 May 2011 05:07:10 +0000

@Mariellen, Love your article! I’ve been doing yoga since 1976 when I was 13 and can relate to what you are saying. I recently discovered Mark Whitwell and I find his teaching so refreshing and affirming, exactly what I needed to hear. Re: Yoga Journal, to which I subscribe and enjoy, I have to chuckle because I can definitely see where one could call the cover “soft core porn” from a tantric perspective (and I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing). My problem with the Journal is that it’s full of yoga vacations, retreats, clothing and gear that I cannot afford, and some poses that despite 35 years of practice I still cannot do and cause me to momentarily feel insecure as a yogini and a teacher, until I remember what yoga really is, which is my intimacy with the Divine.

By: Mariellen

Mariellen — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 04:02:11 +0000

Hi Colleen, Hi Jay, thanks for your comments. It’s wonderful to see that many people are looking beyond the limited western version of yoga, with its emphasis on asana practice — such a small, small part of what yoga is.

Colleen, I consider Joseph Campbell to be my first real teacher, and still one of the most important.

By: Jay Manick

Jay Manick — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:16:55 +0000

Hi,

Great Outlook ! Im an Indian, migrated to Canada, and now in Dubai trying to emulate what they call an “Urban Yogi”. But your fascination for Yoga, India, its culture and its philosophy humbles me completely.

” A kind of prayer…experiencing an intimate relationship with the marvel that is you” Intense & profound at the same time!

Someday I hope to get there with my attempts at ” Silence & Stillness” and your blogs keep nudging me closer.

Keep writing !

By: Colleen Friesen

Colleen Friesen — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:22:18 +0000

Mariellen,
Thank you for such a thoughtful post. I loved especially,
“It’s an interior process. A kind of prayer. You spend time every day consciously breathing into your body and experiencing an intimate relationship with the marvel that is you.”

Beautiful. I couldn’t agree with you more…though I do love my Lululemon pants(anything that passes the aesthetic/comfort/functionality/long-wearing test is something I like to wear).

Michele Peterson sent me over and I’m so glad she did. Anyone who quotes Joseph Campbell has got my attention. Looking forward to visiting here often.

Thanks.

By: Mariellen

Mariellen — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:43:10 +0000

Wow, thanks Babita, I can’t think of a better compliment.

I also think you hit on the essence of yoga when you say, “it’s easier to get the true connection when you cut out the middleman.” My understanding is, that’s the whole point of yoga.

By: babita

babita — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:54:11 +0000

i just ran across your blog while on my own search of becoming a photographer & writer. and i have never read the words a westerner who “gets” india as much as you. the fact you understand & talk about the differences of indian yoga vs western yoga says it all!

after taking way too many westernized yoga classes with tons of different teachers, ergo philosophies, i’ve discovered my own yoga. stretching & meditating every morning as soon as i wake up. as in on my bed before my feet even touch the ground.

it’s easier to get the true connection when you cut out the middleman.

By: Mariellen

Mariellen — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:09:35 +0000

Hi @Christa, thanks for your comment. I don’t think I actually disparaged Yoga Journal — if you read what I wrote: “But attempting to achieve some kind of yoga ideal — as seen on the cover of Yoga Journal! — is not yoga.” You should have heard Mark. He said, “The cover of Yoga Journal is soft-core porn.”

I am sure there are many people who are inspired by Yoga Journal. And I was not intending in this post to judge Yoga Journal.

I was simply trying to capture Mark’s teachings and express what I think is the essence of yoga — which is often lost in the western, commercialized, competitive version.

Personally, my entire understanding and outlook on yoga was completely transformed by studying in India. I don’t look at western yoga the same way anymore.

By: Christa

Christa — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 20:52:52 +0000

I like your comments, but I’m a bit confused about your disparagement of Yoga Journal. What would you have them put on their cover? More old gurus? Well, ask them to and they might! They do need to market the magazine, too, and I have not been offended by any of their pictures. There is nothing wrong with striving to ideals, or even acknowledging ideals, in a healthy way.

I have found Yoga Journal online to be a very great and extensive source of the exact same kind of wisdom you share here.

You probably do, too, and it was just a stray comment. I have learned through my own yoga teaching journey that not all people who look good are bad people. We need to remember that too. The shallow ones exist, but some who look great are also very deep and worthy teachers.