Yoga as exercise vs. yoga as philosophy

carpe_diem

Lots of breast cancer organizations recommend yoga for cancer survivors for the reasons that most people get into yoga: improved flexibility, strength, and balance and reduced stress.  I'm currently pretty much a beginner in a yin yoga class and a gentle yoga for cancer survivors, with some modifications for lymphedema risk. While I think it's helpful and enjoy the community aspects of both the cancer and neighborhood classes, my bogosity meter keeps going off. I'm willing to let it slide when the teacher tells us that the solar plexus is the source of all emotion, but a recent e-mail from him really increased my stress levels: "Keeping us from experiencing ourselves as truth, bliss and consciousness are obstructions, both obvious and subtle. These obstructions create disharmony within us and is considered the root cause of our dis-eases. In response to this alienation from Self, the practice of Yoga assists us in holding these unconscious patterns of obstruction and disturbance up to the light of our awareness. This is the healing journey; the path to wholeness." While I'd be glad to accept this as just another metaphor, it appears that he really believes that this is the source of his type 1 diabetes, dx at age 14, and that yoga is his path to health.  I may have made some poor choices in earlier years that increased my chances of getting bc, and I'm willing to make lifestyle changes that will improve my health,but  I find it offensive to suggest that I caused my bc and irrational to think that yoga will cure it. 

Has anyone dealt with this yoga (and buddhist) philosophy) and is it useful to tell the teacher how hurtful these comments are, or should I just intone, "Ommm..." and keep going for the exercise benefits?

sarahjane7374

I'd go the "Ommmm" route, delete future preachy emails and continue for the exercise benefits.  Just my opinion 

moni731

Hi, I also have found yoga several years ago (vinyasa boot-camp) for the work out benefits, and Yin yoga for the stretching.  Not so sure that I buy into all the rest of it, but am keeping an open mind. As far as beating cancer or other diseases through yoga, I don't buy it. The way I see it is by being very much in touch with my body and listening, maybe I'll 'hear' when something is wrong. I do enjoy the histories of yoga, and the cultural aspect of the practice though. I also enjoy the meditation, breathing and gratitude aspects of it. A lot of the practice aligns with my Pagan practice. 

Take what you want and can use, leave the rest. Yin yoga is so gentle and beneficial maybe you can find a class that is not so "preachy". I have found that some are more so than others.

ruthbru

I think there are lots of kinds of yoga classes. I take one at the local YMCA, and there is no preaching at all; just 'let the negative thoughts out' and the 'positive thoughts in' at the end. You could look for a class like that which teaches it more as exercise.

nihahi

I don't think that is a "yoga" philosophy as much as it is the personal belief of that instructor. I have had many different yoga instructors over the years...some wonderful, some more concerned about how their butts look in spandex. You have a choice as to how you react to his comments. Either "let them go" or talk to him about how offensive those comments are to some people.

There are many yoga classes/teachers out there......Personally, I would find somewhere that feels more supportive, emotionally, while still helping you practice the physical benefits.

mz_mes

Wow!   That is heavy stuff and I wouldn't be into receiving that message either.  Can't buy into yoga preventing disease -- silly really... I personally wouldn't confront the instructor though but that is me -- non-confrontational.     I do like Yoga for exercise and for gentle stretching / recovery for sore muscles.   I used to go to the yoga studio for hot yoga classes but I've backed off a from the studio classes since dealing with the BC stuff.  If you like the class I'd still go and enjoy it.  I'd block the emails sending them directly to the spam folder.   I've been enjoying recorded yoga classes from my cable provider.  I modify them though -- no downward dogs or other hard to manage arm stuff.   I always feel a bit more energy and less stress after some yoga.

rengeko

i'm a buddhist and that's nothing i believe.  sounds like a crystal bunny or something.