From my very first blog I discussed how my real and true grasp of yoga came from my suburban mom practicing it with workouts on old DVDs on an even older DVD player. Since that time I have had my own growth and experiences with yoga from that traditional view. This very same idea of masculine tradition lead me to my first evidence backed by a psychological article study stating, “Thus, a link between yoga and femininity was prominent in men’s minds, as they readily attributed other men’s hesitancy to practice yoga to this link” (Motzkus, Jarry 502). This attribution between men seeing yoga as inherently feminine was something I had certainly thought of but this article specifically notes research on this outdated idea.

So, this is the first checkpoint after having total freedom to new experiences. In total truth and transparency, it took me far too long to start on yoga but once I did with each time it became easier. The type of yoga I have been following is Vinyasa yoga Which I felt would be more focused on body movements and having some focus on breathing as well. It turned out to be quite a well-rounded experience and I really enjoyed it. Finding time for it became a challenge but once I did, I found myself doing it more. I came home from work one day and found myself with a desire to do yoga workout. It was calming and left me with a different train of thought. To put it into words is interesting but it was a way for me to have a more direct though as if there wasn’t much else to do other than do the movements on video and breathe when they say too. A way to sort of just wind down and relax while still being mindful of what I’m doing.

Yoga is something I grew up around with my mom in the suburbs often stopping daily tasks to get a good session in. I barely partook and initially perceived it as in all honesty "feminine". I guess as all little boys are I was afraid of how it would look. later I tried it a few times throughout my life. A little as a young boy with my mom and maybe once with my girlfriend. This however will be the ultimate test of sticking to it as this time there is more on the line...my grade for the class. To be sure I am actually quite excited to do this. I love the idea of yoga and its teachings/practices. Yoga is something that has been around for longer than people would care to give the credit. I dabbled in some holistic ideas from incense to crystals and music to go with. When I went to UWG for psychology I sort of put that away not entirely I still wear the necklaces and burn incense from time to time but it kind of sat on the back burner. This class is a culmination of high school me and what can be learned from new efforts. one quote from this article has stuck with me in my delving of articles it states, "In Western contemporary settings, yoga tends to be synonymous with yoga postures, breathing, and some meditation practices. Historically, however, the practice of yoga was understood to be much broader and more comprehensive, including a wider range of techniques to promote wellbeing and balance among mind–brain–body functions" (neuroscience self-regulation). This worldview and perspective changes from what I viewed in high school as a "good enough" understanding to in reality only dipping my toes in the ocean. I am excited to see how far I can go in this experience with yoga and the readings for class to go along with.