Sorry Adriene, Yoga is Relational

I already knew when I read the Yoga Journal article that approximately one out of six people in the US practice yoga. What I didn't know is that "a vast majority practice at home."

What? Isn't COVID over? Seriously?

Don't attempt this Yoga with Adriene pose if you have shoulder, hip, knee or spine issues!

The Reality of Home Practice

After worrying and wondering how large a "vast majority" is, I have to say, as a yoga teacher of 20+ years, it tracks. I can't tell you how many times new students have pitched up confidently saying they've done "a lot of yoga." With new students, I'm carefully observing, trying to figure out how much guidance may be required. I don't want to overdo it such that there's a feeling of being "singled out," or underdo it such that I seem remiss.

The Challenge of Self-Taught Yoga

After hearing the statistic, I am gleaning that people in this self-defined category of having done "a lot of yoga" may have never received proper coaching on an individual level. They're trying to do poses the way poses are typically depicted by online instructors ( i.e., Yoga with Adriene), social media, or instructors who never leave their perches at the front of the room.

These students seem to lack the information on how to "scale" poses for their individual body types. They experience yoga as "visual": they see something, and they try to replicate it. They don't grasp the sensual side of yoga: that it's more about how something feels than what it looks like.

The Impact of Online Yoga

Now, if everyone did online yoga with teachers who shared their same body types in terms of proportion, strength, stamina, and flexibility, there might be better outcomes. Instead, we have a majority of people using the wrong "patterns" and trying to contort their bodies into shapes that are neither safe nor productive—certainly not flattering or affirming.

So who's to thank for this mess? Adrian, COVID, Instagram, Big Yoga with big classes taught by teachers who rarely leave their "perches" at the front—the list goes on. I think I'll just refer to the aforementioned as "The Yoga Matrix."

The Importance of Relationships in Yoga

I think what the "vast majority" is missing in taking the blue pill cuts to the heart of yoga: it's relational. You have a relationship with the teacher as well as the other members of your class. You are also working on your relationship with your own body. Yoga is more than just a workout.

Yoga without relationship is just another workout, and not a very good one at that. Think about it: of all the sports, I'd predict trying to teach yourself something bordering on gymnastics at home has a pretty slim chance of success.

The Need for Personalized Instruction

As a six-footer, I can't imagine learning a tricky pose like upward-facing dog in my living room by trying to imitate a person on a screen who likely has a dance or gymnastics background. That person can't give me feedback, can't do hands-on assists, and has no idea as to my age, fitness level, or past injuries.

I've got to hand it to those Matrix folks on their ability to sell the idea that you can learn a highly physical and potentially dangerous activity at home. I can't imagine watching tennis or golf videos, then showing up to the court once a month and saying, "I do a lot of ...yoga/golf."

The Essence of Parampara

The irony here is yoga is the origin of the concept of parampara, or transmission. Parampara refers to the passing of knowledge, wisdom, and a kind of spiritual energy that can only transpire in-person, in the presence of the teacher. For instance, living in Minnesota, it's nice that I can hop on a Zoom class with my favorite teacher in California. However, it's not the same, not even close; and I know this because I have taken many classes from him in person.

Embracing the Full Yoga Experience

If you're serious about yoga, then do whole yoga. Learn the subtleties of the various breathing techniques and when to apply them. Learn when you need to use blocks, straps, or a chair to go deeper or be safer. Experience a full-length savasana meditation at the end of class (12 minutes-- not two!).

Take the red pill, choose reality, get out of the Yoga Matrix, and into a real weekly class with a small group of cohorts. As the old saying goes, "You can't see Paris from your living room" ...or do yoga!

Conclusion

The journey of yoga is not just about the poses. It's about connection, understanding, and growth. There's a reason why communications theorists often refer to online relationships as "parasocial"; they're not the equivalent to 2-way, in-person interaction. For myself and my fellow Swifties, this means that, no matter how much we know about Taylor and Travis, we're NOT invited to the wedding. It's good to pause remind ourselves: they know absolutely NOTHING about us ;).

So, let's step off the mat at home, out of The Matrix, and into a safe community space where we can truly learn and evolve. After all, yoga is a beautiful dance between the self and the universe, and it's best experienced together. Yoga with Adriene won't even miss you, promise!