Some thoughts and discussions from me.
My Yoga Struggles: Chanting
Hiya, friends!
I would probably have a WIAW post for you guys today, had I not gone through half the day yesterday thinking it were Monday. I taught a core class, took a yoga class, and ran some errands, and it wasn’t until I headed to the gym to train and teach another class that evening that I realized it was, in fact, Tuesday. I’d say I was relieved, but honestly, lately I’m kind of excited to live out every day – no matter what day it is.
Before you start to gag on my sunny side of life outlook, I still get tired (working, sporadically, from sun up to sun down is tiring,) and not everything’s perfect. However, for the past few months, I’ve been carrying around 3 heavy burdens. They’re my “big three” main life worries (you know, aside from the complain-y type every day worries.) However, I’ve recently gotten so tired of trying to control them and make them turn around myself, and I simply surrendered them to God. (heads up, it’s about to get religious up in here.)
I don’t talk too much about my faith on the blog, but right now, it’s one area in my life that’s truly excelling. I don’t know whether it’s the mountains, my shaken core with the new adventure of moving across the country, or our new church, but God and I are tight right now. Anyway, I gave up, and told Him to deal with them, and since then, not only have things started to look up, but I’ve felt such a weight lift off of my shoulders. It’s lovely 
So, yoga. I’m still obsessed. I’ve been going 4-5 times a week, and it just might also have something to do with my sunny demeanor. My body feels great, my aches and pains are gone, and the other day I actually went into side crow for about 5 seconds – a goal that was never ever even a goal because I never figured I’d have the desire to do it.
(insert irrelevant picture of my yoga mat drying from its bath)
However, there’s a big part of yoga I struggle with. I mentioned it once in this post, when I was still going to Main Street Yoga in Bloomington. It’s the spiritual part of it. The “religion” of yoga sometimes kinda conflicts with my beliefs, especially when the instructor comes in and talks about Karma, and then leads the class through a chant for the next 5-10 minutes.
That’s what happened in yesterday’s class. I can handle om’s. In fact, I like the blissed out feeling/vibration of chanting “om” with the class. But chanting Hindi words that I haven’t a clue what they mean over and over isn’t what I’m about. At first I substituted my own words in for the chant, but that got a little confusing, so I just shut my mouth.
And it’s not that I’m being judgmental. I just struggle with it. I struggle with how blissed out I can feel during and after a good yoga practice, but how uncomfortable I feel with the spiritual part of it. How can I feel two such opposing feelings for one practice?
Regardless, my solution, as I mentioned here, is to substitute words in my mind – without being judgmental or disrupting class – for the chants and sayings that don’t jive with me, and continuing to reap the benefits of the physical practice of it.
And now I’m going to take a complete 180 degree U-turn to food (which are totally legal, nay, encouraged, in Boulder, I’ve realized.) I guess I could transition by saying after yesterday’s yoga class, I was as hungry as a horse, so I ate a bunch of food; speaking of food:
Yeah. Another coconut sauce bowl. Delicious.
For this one I cooked a bag of mixed frozen veggies, then I chopped up like a pound of chicken thighs, cooked them in a skillet. Next I put them together in the skillet, along with a 1/2 cup of coconut milk, 1/2 tsp. ginger, splash of coconut aminos, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper, and lime juice – let them boil up, and then simmer together for about 10 minutes. Spoon into a baked acorn half and use it as a bowl.
YUM!!!
PS – I totally would have used stir fry veggies, but the “California-style” were on a major sale at sprouts. Meh, they still tasted delicious in it.
Namaste/Amen/bye/peace/see ya!
Haha love the namaste/amen closure of this post. And the post topic in general! I know exactly what you mean about the spirituality of yoga practice, and substituting your own words in your head sounds like a great plan. God knows the intentions of your heart, so as long as you are practicing with your true focus on Him, I’m sure He will be pleased!
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance recently posted…Strawberries & Ceviche
i just made that meal last night too! So good. Our yoga studio only does the chants for the 90 minute classes, so i am pretty lucky. But my yoga instructor is also a christian. It’s hard to separate those thoughts but i feel like we must use those grow stronger in faith, and I am so glad that YOU are!
cottercrunch recently posted…Sharing is Caring: Arbonne Sabrina
Really? Twins! Did you add the coconut milk, too? Ahhh makes it so creamy and delicious.
That’s great idea Paige, coconut oil will make the taste creamy and soften the chicken thighs and will produce great flavor. I ever try to make it and of course my family love it. And for make them really nice I put slice of red chili as garnish. That’s perfect.
Sieurce recently posted…Vimax Pills
I agree completely with you about chanting. I just can’t get into it. I have read books on it because it really intrigues me, but it still makes no sense. For those it does though, props to them!
Allison recently posted…Lovin’ on Laziness
That bowl looks amazing! I’ve actually never been to a yoga class with chanting but I would definitely be a bit uncomfortable too! That is so amazing that you are feeling such a sense of lightness lately thanks to God! I don’t talk about religion much on my blog either but that is actually something I am working on as well so it is so affirming to hear that you were able to connect to God like that and feel such a sense of relief. Thank you for sharing your story.
Danielle (@CleanFoodCreativeFitness) recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday
Of course 🙂 And I hear you, Danielle – talking about it really makes you vulnerable. I know I have some readers who are atheists or non-believers, so of course I don’t want to offend them.
I’m curious if your instructor explained what those words meant? I’ve always had yoga instructors explain the means of the word and often (at least from what I’ve found), the chants have been more about loving yourself or loving someone else. Obviously that’s not always the case, but it’s interesting, especially since I’m someone who tells people they don’t need to practice the “religion” of yoga if that’s not their thing but rather practice the movement and breath.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted…Snacks Lately
She did not, so who even knows what we were saying? haha That would have probably eased my mind a little bit.
I’ve never been to a yoga class per se, but regardless of my religious beliefs, I think the chanting would feel weird and awkward. I’m quiet about my spirituality and I don’t like group stuff like that. I’m glad you’re finding some inner peace. It’s so hard to let go and realize that you really are not in control. I get so mad when I read things about taking control and you are the maker of your own destiny. Sure, we have free will and we have the ability to do things, but we aren’t always in control of every situation…if that makes any sense. I’m just glad you’re feeling better about everything or at least too busy to think about it. 😉
Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) recently posted…Treat Yo Self! Without The Side Of Guilt!
The rest of the class really seemed to enjoy it! I think that instructor always chants (it was my first time taking one of her classes) but the class was packed!
Thanks, Sarena. How are you doing this week??
I think it would be difficult if the yoga practice was seriously conflicting with your own personal beliefs. Most of the yoga I’ve done has been limited to at home DVD’s so I’ve never experienced it. However, from what I’ve read about yoga, the general idea is to connect with yourself and with God no matter your religious beliefs. Spirituality is universal, and it sounds like you’re doing a good job at making it work for you!
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted…Toenails Are For Sissies
I also feel weirdly self-conscious or something actually vocalizing the “om” in yoga. But, I also am not one of those people in church to shout out “Amen” or “Praise the Lord”, even if I might be thinking it. I think it’s just a symptom of my personality, everyone’s different, and if I want to keep saying my “oms” on the inside then I think that’s ok 🙂
Meghan @ After the Ivy League recently posted…WIAW #22: More Peanut Butter
It’s amazing how freeing it feels when we give our anxieties to God, eh?! Even though I know this, I still struggle with it at times though. Lately I’ve been feeling anxious about some stuff, and I finally realized the other day that it’s out of my control, so I just have to give it to God. I’ve felt so much better since then!
As for the yoga chanting, you’re not alone, I’d feel strange doing it too. 😉
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted…WIAW #74: On A Roll!
i feeeeeel like i need to email/gchat with you on the side! i’ve been really thinking about counterbalancing crossfit with yoga – i think it would be so amazing for my stress levels which are OUT THE ROOF right now – i know because i physically am experiencing stress signs – its just the motivation to actually GO which is super hard with my work schedule! bahhh i think i need to bite the bullet and start going at least once a week – i know it would work wonders sanity wise!
julie recently posted…diet-to-go review
Yes! It helps me SO much. Email away! (or gchat – I’ll be online for a bit 🙂 )
I completely relate to your schedule- Mondays are my longest days when I start teaching classes at 5:30 am, then have clients throughout the day until 6:30pm. There are a lot of breaks, but not enough time to really go do anything productive. I kind of miss the 7:00-3:00 schedule that I had teaching…. but I DON’T miss teaching. 🙂
I think it’s SO great that you’ve felt more connected to God since you moved- and I totally get it. Living out there would make me more spiritual too- because everything is so much more calm and relaxed and beautiful.
I definitely have a very strong spiritual connection and relationship with God, and don’t talk about it much on my blog. My beliefs are probably a lot different than yours (i.e. my wedding vows were modified traditional Buddhist), but to me religion is really private and I get uncomfortable when people try to change my beliefs. I wasn’t raised in the Christian church and some people seem to have a big problem with that. I think my life is pretty balanced and I respect different beliefs and opinions, as long as they don’t harm anyone else. And now I’m craving yoga.
Lauren @ Oatmeal after Spinning recently posted…WIAW 29: On A Friday
Love you solution to the chanting portion of yoga. I struggle with it as well. I truly believe any yoga/fitness/activity is everyone’s to make their “own”. You get out of it what you put into it & your own words & mantras can be just as effective!
Katie @ KatieEnPursuit recently posted…A Big One!
Coconut is one of my main squeezes right now. I’ve been eating it multiple times per day. I’m starting to wonder what I did without it?
I’ve been incredibly anxious lately, not sure what it is all about but I’ll figure it out. I’m not a huge lover yoga, but I’m really into pilates lately! While they’re not the same at all, I totally feel less stressed out when I practice yoga, compared to weights and HIIT.
That’s great you’ve felt more connected to God since moving, I’m not very religious so don’t know what that’s be like, but I can imagine it’s calming.
Haha, I think I too would feel a little strange yoga chanting, in high school we did laugh yoga and I always felt odd doing it, but it was fun.
Lisa recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday
I’m glad to hear your faith is so strong lately. I’ve been struggling with mine for awhile now, but I continue to work on it. I feel the same way about yoga though. It seems like a lot of my instructors don’t push the religion part of it though, which I appreciate.
Kacy recently posted…Comment on Home is always worth it by Abby
I have to say as a yoga instructor, I’m not a huge fan of the chanting and “om”s. I feel like people take yoga for so many different reasons and never want to influence why they are there for the class.
Ashley @ Life and Fitness recently posted…Almost Like Starbucks Chocolate
Love this: “I’m kind of excited to live out every day – no matter what day it is.” I think that’s how we should all recognize and live our days.
Lindsay recently posted…realizing big dreams: triathlons.
I noticed you like and promote the pure protein products…I’m curious though…I know its “low sugar, high protein” which seems GREAT, but what about the ingredients? Not the cleanest no? And I always thought whey concentrate should be avoided (tummy irritater) whereas pure whey is best.
Just curious cause I like the idea of higher protein, lower sugar also but fail to buy into things like those bars etc anymore (I WANT to, but kind of hung up now on actual ingredients list versus just the “x” calories” and “x” protein grams).