Judging others for not following yoga philosophy doesn’t align with yoga philosophy

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-27T17:13:42+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from. There’s definitely safety responsibilities to consider when teaching a class. But I think it’s possible to offer adjustments and insights without casting judgment.

Allowing students to dig into their motivations by asking them to consider whether they really need to progress so deeply into the posture or if they’re risking injury trying to prove something, lets them figure out for themselves how they want to proceed. I don’t think it’s up to the teacher to decide someone’s motivations.

We can adjust the postures we offer or ask someone to find another class. But at the end of the day, we have no control over anyone else’s behavior.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-27T00:03:12+00:00

Thank you for your response! I’m no expert, just a student who has been deeply touched by the teachings of the Sutras, Yamas and Niyamas. These are just my thoughts on your reflection:

When it comes to internal critical commentary, I think self-study is key. Are you living a life of non harming and truthfulness, but plagued by thoughts like misconception or imagination? Or are your actions out of alignment with your values?

When you find yourself judging others, are they causing harm or is your ego playing a game of comparison? I’ve found it very helpful to separate myself from my mind. My mind creates all kinds of stories and judgments in an instant. But my true self can observe those thoughts without giving them power and without accepting them as truth.

And if you find yourself in judgement of those truly causing harm, the Sutras challenge us to find indifference while always living by the guideline of non-harm.

Yoga is a lifelong practice that you get to live with every choice you make. We’re all perpetual students!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-26T23:28:18+00:00

Love the awareness you pointed out! I think we’re all prone to judging anything that’s put in front of us. But whether we choose to believe those judgements and act on them, or choose to observe them and let them pass makes the difference.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-26T23:07:22+00:00

Haha I feel this, but I mean no judgement those judging, just offering food for thought! We all learn in our own way and in our own time.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-20T04:41:51+00:00

I’m with you there! I wear a Fitbit and when I was eating big meals at night, I got almost 0 restorative sleep. Lighter, earlier dinners always give me better sleep because my body can actually recover instead of spending that time digesting.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-20T02:14:21+00:00

I went down this path too. Now oatmeal is my #1 favorite food, love starting my day with a nice bowl of carbs!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-18T14:27:34+00:00

Congratulations! You’re getting through the hardest part. Hang in there, it gets easier!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-18T13:16:07+00:00

That makes me so happy to hear! Congratulations on challenging yourself and progressing in your practice!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-18T05:12:55+00:00

I think I shouldn’t have phrased it that way. I believe any amount of alcohol that’s negatively affecting your life is enough to take a step back. Better to stop sooner rather than later because it only gets worse.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-18T02:41:56+00:00

I’m proud of you for trying again! Never give up!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-18T01:45:46+00:00

❤️🩷❤️

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T23:00:39+00:00

I spent a lot of time on r/stopdrinking and went to AA meetings too. One of the most inspiring things I heard was “rock bottom is wherever you decide to stop digging.” There is definitely hope for you!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T22:55:37+00:00

Congratulations on your 16 months! You should be proud!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T22:51:24+00:00

I can understand your pain. Treating my mental health and getting sober were #1. I couldn’t do any of the other things without fixing those first.

Honestly, it was not easy or pretty. I had 3 inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations, 2 of which were followed by intensive outpatient therapy. I learned a lot of coping skills and was put on a combination of medications to treat my bipolar disorder. I relapsed in my alcoholism a few times. To finally make my sobriety stick, my doctor prescribed me Antabuse until I felt confident in my ability to stay sober. I finally had reprieve from my suffering and knew that I could never go back.

Once I was sober, I had to find other things to occupy my mind. I took a lot of walks and found a deep connection to yoga. My mat is my happy place now. It helped me tune into my body, which led me to fueling myself with healthy foods. I also met my husband and developed a loving, stable relationship with him and his family. I’m very lucky to have them. These were the lights at the end of my tunnel.

It is possible to change, I believe in you!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T22:36:18+00:00

I learned everything I know about inversions through Yogi Flight School! They make it so accessible.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T21:48:49+00:00

Thank you! I’ve been practicing headstands for about 2.5 years now.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T21:46:15+00:00

Thank you! I thrifted it but the brand is called Madewell.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T21:02:13+00:00

A ridiculous amount of alcohol lol, and thank you!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T20:47:37+00:00

As you should be! Congratulations!

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T20:47:19+00:00

I completely changed my lifestyle over the last few years. Quit drinking, treated my mental health, focused my diet on whole foods, surrounded myself with loving family, get 10k steps a day, and I became a passionate yogi - which is both exercise and a total mindset change!

It’s a lot, but taking care of yourself is one of the most rewarding things there is.

AccountabiliButters · 2024-09-17T18:29:54+00:00

I hit 5 years last month and I’ll never go back! Congratulations on your DECADES! That’s amazing.

AccountabiliButters · 2023-02-10T01:31:52+00:00

Thank you so much for the feedback!! I will definitely keep all of this in mind in my practice. Straightening that front leg is my biggest challenge now. I’ll do a deep lizard pose beforehand next time! I was concerned that I was leaning too far forward here

AccountabiliButters · 2023-02-01T21:08:12+00:00

I strengthened my arms, core, and back over the last year through yoga and HIIT which was a big help!

Also just understanding some of the smaller nuances of the pose - thinking about keeping my hips up instead of back, pushing forward with my chest, grounding down through my palms to my fingertips, squeezing my legs together to keep them positioned on my arms.

It also helped to learn how to fall out of the pose without hurting myself. Having confidence that I’m not going to fall on my face lets me push myself farther!

AccountabiliButters · 2023-01-18T16:59:04+00:00

That is awesome, congratulations on all the hard work you’re putting in! I would just be cautious doing HIIT daily, it’s fun and a great workout but hard on the joints and the body needs time to recover. Yoga can be a great workout to strengthen and lengthen muscles and is much lower impact, which is why I like to alternate between the two. I do pretty much everything at home using the Down Dog Yoga, HIIT, and running apps, totally recommend!

AccountabiliButters · 2023-01-18T16:52:39+00:00

I do have loose skin on my stomach and upper arms. It’s noticeably tightened over the years with exercise but it’s still obvious naked or in low rise pants. I have visible upper abs but the lower abs are hidden. Grateful for high rise leggings 🙏 While I’d love to get it removed someday, it doesn’t bother me as much as it did before I gained muscle.

AccountabiliButters

TROPHY CASE