the snarky yogi on my mat with me
Sometimes I take the Snarky Yogi to yoga class with me. Big mistake, she is such a pain. She is so judgy. She sits on my mat and elbows me every time the instructor does something that she thinks is a little “off.” She keeps me in my head and makes me notice all of the things I would do differently as a yoga instructor. She is also a grammar nut so if the instructor dares to say “each and every one of you” more than once, she just rolls her eyes nearly out of her head. She’s not wrong, she is just a jerk.
These are the things she pokes me in the ribs about: if you are going to call it Sivasana then be quiet, if you are going to talk the entire “Sivasana” then call it constructive rest. Never, ever, ever tell someone to “lock out their knee.” Explain poses. Give people a chance for modification or variation. And never, I mean never, yell like a track coach in a yoga class. Oh and if your are going to play music, don’t have it so loud and don’t instruct in a sing-songy way so that no one can hear a dang thing you say.
On days like these I think about how much yoga has to show me about myself and how many life lessons can play out on the mat. 1) leave your critical self outside the room, their isn’t room on the mat for pure practice and judgement 2) my way is not the only way 3) I can take the good that someone else is offering and combine it with what good I possess in my practice and make it extraordinary 4) if something is dangerous or not for me, just don’t do it, without judgement 5) showing grace and being generous in spirit are always good things.
TIPS:
Just a few things the Snarky Yogi is right about: please don’t ever lock your limbs, always have at least a micro-bend in them. Locking can cause injury and makes balance more difficult.
Also, if you are doing any pose that is new to you and you can’t hear or understand the instructions, skip it. Also be very careful with any pose that works your neck. (shoulder stand and plow, for instance) If these are done without proper time and instruction, you could do permanent damage. Also, take just as much time to get out of a pose that you are holding, as you take to get into it.
And have fun. Enjoy the connecting of your breath to your movements, the muscle tension release and the balance practice. Enjoy your new found strength of mind, body, and spirit.
Leaving the Snarky Yogi at home next time…maybe.
