I don't have the right body. I'm not slim enough or flexible enough. I don't even have enough clothes to go to a session. Dogmas and sects, no thanks... I'm a man, I come from all over the world and I work in a super-masculine sector where yoga is seen as superficial and as a bobo fad. The whole package.
So, bye bye Yoga?
All the labels imposed by society that give us the impression and the sensation of truth that Yoga isn't for us. Are they obstacles, limits to our self-fulfilment?
Yoga, or more generally: self-observation, interiority, health approached in a connected way (without isolating the body from the emotional, energetic and existential sphere), has a potential that is difficult to quantify, yet enormous, for transforming our daily lives, our relationship with life and with ourselves.
It's a shame to wait for a catastrophic point in our lives before starting to consider its relevance. Even more so, knowing that yoga is not just a driver of health, but offers tools for prevention and easier passage through life's challenging moments.
So it may be true that some yoga classes implicitly demand a certain way of dressing, adherence to sectarian beliefs, a certain standard of living, a quest for performance... but is this all that exists, is this the majority of yoga classes?
No.
It may take some luck or a few tests. But you'll find it. That one or two slots in your week where you can decompress deeply and recharge your batteries.
No body shape is required. Because well-being is accessible to everyone. What a pity to think that it is reserved for a certain appearance. Because even if you have a different body shape/appearance, with a competent teacher and your own research you'll find plenty of scope for adaptation and variation during the session. If in doubt, don't hesitate to contact the teacher directly. He or she will be able to advise you and tell you what he or she knows about the subject. This may also concern pathologies or fears.
With no prerequisite for flexibility. Once again, it's sad to think that well-being can only be achieved with a certain amount of physical flexibility. Yoga focuses on inner well-being, which in turn has repercussions on the body and vice versa. It's about becoming aware of the impact of the mind on our daily lives and of our limiting beliefs about ourselves and life. As an anecdote, I always tell my students that I've never been flexible, and it's true. In fact, as a child I was to stuck to one level of a dance class because I wasn't flexible enough. Having experienced the deep well-being offered by Yoga, I find it absurd to make people believe that flexibility is part of it and a prerequisite. It's an illusion and a waste of energy and time if you base all your efforts and beliefs about well-being on it (the same goes for performance in a yoga session, which has no place in this discipline, which focuses on awareness and presence).
No clothing requirements. I started practising asanas wearing leegings with holes in them. Even though the studio managers made big eyes at me, I felt good in them and had no intention of buying new one. Some students at the beginning come with what they have, jeans, work clothes, pyjamas... Whatever. That shouldn't limit you to coming to a session. Then you'll see for yourself what's most comfortable for you and what you have in your wardrobe. I refer you to the blog where I wrote an article on tips for feeling comfortable when choosing clothes.
Without being pressured into adhering to dogma. Yoga is an inner exploration, not a new religion or culture to be adopted. In fact, new concepts can be introduced but not imposed, nor to judge or diminish a person.
No gender requirements. Once again, it's all about inner exploration, reconnecting with the moment. What does sex have to do with it?
Without the prerequisite of belonging to a social or historical box. It's also about reconnecting with the universality of our conscious existence. Rates vary according to location and social status (association, studio, etc.) for everyone to have access to these precious sessions.
Finally, Yoga, existential questions and the search for answers in our inner experience are not new. It's not a superficial fad, but an inherent human quality. Who am I? What is my potential? Who are the others? What is reality?
These are basic, universal and timeless questions without boundaries of thought, culture, lifestyle, gender, appearance or experience.
It's with great pleasure that I welcome you to a session, as you are.
See you soon.
Marie Mazeau, Lifexploratrice, certified full-time Yoga teacher in Paris, specialising in gentle, joyful, educational and meditative sessions online, for individuals, associations, companies and studios.