Essays & General Comments
I am a little stiff and sore this morning. I think it’s probably my system still getting over the stress of the past couple of weeks, plus I probably over did it at yoga yesterday.
One of the odd things about fibro is how it affects each body so differently. Some people can’t take any exercise at all, just getting up and having a shower will result in them having to rest, while others find, as long as they build in adequate recovery time, they can take a fairly vigorous workout. I can’t do much physical exercise because the pains in my legs kick in and I get uncomfortably breathless quite quickly. Oddly enough I can walk for about an hour (roughly 2 miles), if the going is reasonably flat – and I can do fairly extreme posture yoga.
I have been working with my current teacher for 2 years now, and she has learnt how my system functions – yoga teachers are really very highly trained, it’s not just a case of starting up a class. I have no body strength and find that I can’t always do the lifts and balances, and she usually gives me a shortcut in the routines so I can maintain a bit of energy and make it through to the end. However, my joints are really loose and I can twist my body and reach my legs into some quite advanced positions (yes I can put my leg behind my head) so I can get a really good stretch into place that don’t get much use.
Now, hang on there, this doesn’t sound right – I am a practising Christian and I am going to yoga class? Aren’t I practising 2 religions at once? Aren’t I worried that I am offending my God and that the slow slippery slope to Purgatory is on the horizon?
I did listen to the arguments of the vicar who had banned the kiddies from using his church hall for yoga. He was saying that yoga is an ancient religion that believes you can come to a spiritual centre or god; without the need to use Jesus as an intermediately on your behalf. He was convinced the yoga contributed to the cult of ‘The Self’; spending time focusing on your own centre of being, when you should be looking outwards; to live the scriptures.
I am sure there will be groups out there meeting in the name of yoga, chanting and calling to all sorts of sprits or whatever; but that is the cult blanket being hung on the yoga coat peg. The people who behave in that way are going to infiltrate all sorts of gatherings and are just as likely to be found in pagan/druid/wicker groups, or one of the several new religious/spiritual cults that regularly hit the headlines. I am not knocking those guys – just making the point that the few extremes sully their collective name.
In our class we are learning to ‘leave the world outside’ and ‘live in the now’ and it’s really relaxing. Being able to respect the time being taken just for our yoga, and, with practice, you get the most wonderful, uplifting feeling – yes, this is what I am doing NOW and I am r e s t f u l. We are not practising a religion, we don’t chant or pray or offer up any dedication that is not personally relevant. You can put aside all the jobs ‘to do’ all the ‘must get round to’ and general hustle and bustle of our chaotic minds and just STOP. We work with our bodies to restore and heal ourselves. In this fast (fast and getting faster) world it’s something we all could do with.
I always dedicate my practice to Jesus; to say thank you for the past week, and for still being here this week. I say a thank you to him at the end of the session as well, for a good stretch and for looking after me now, and during the coming week. This is in my head; it’s a private moment between me and my God to acknowledge his care over me and my world.
I believe that my God is a kind loving God, who cares for me as an individual; he wants me the best I can be. It was by sheer chance that I have discovered this discipline, which I can do and helps the pain. I spend my yoga time really connected to my God and I feel his presence. I don’t for one moment think he would want me to stop doing something that actually helps me a little. I know he would miss my company.
