Every-Body can benefit from yoga -As a yoga teacher one of the most common things I hear is I can't do yoga "because I am not flexible". In fact some of the more advanced yogis I've met could not touch their feet when they started. I have even had students that were obese, with accompanying physical issues including back and joint problems, that are now fit and back to their normal active lives. One of those people is a doctor who had a series of injuries leading to weight gain, balance and other issues; demonstrating that anyone can be vulnerable to these type issues.
Body Acceptance - I think people have always been more judgemental on themselves, sensitive to things most other people do not really care about. Therefore we have a multi-billion dollar plastic and cosmetic surgery industry largely playing on people's insecurities.
Big is Beautiful- Yes our bodies in all shapes and sizes are beautiful and a miracle that we exist and function. I once dated a doctor newly finishing her medical education and she found it frightening how many things could go wrong with our bodies, even the slightest imbalances could make us sick or kill us. What I find very disappointing is that our current generation may be the first not to outlive our parents due to lifestyle including drug abuse and obesity.
Lack of Exercise and Bad Diets- The shift to sedentary lifestyles in our society and acceptance of fast, engineered, foods has helped to cause health issues. Fortunately food-wise we are seeing trend towards better affordable healthier options at places like Aldi and real-food alternatives to McDonalds. I personally do not believe in diets since they are typically not sustainable long-term, rather making simple alternatives that can include smaller portions and ways to reduce fat and sugars with natural alternatives. I am personally using stevia in my coffee at home, using applesauce and bananas to reduce fat in baking, and gave up meat while continuing to eat seafood. You just have to find what works for you.
As for exercise..Yes any-body can benefit from yoga or just take a walk, use stairs at work or when shopping, and/or park your car a little further than usual. It all adds up.
By Allen Barkus. Allen has been practicing Ashtanga yoga since 1998 and teaching since 2004. His initial teacher training was with David Swenson and has been the student of Manju Jois since 2004. Manju, along with his father, introduced Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga to America in 1975. His studies focus on Healing Therapy. He is available in Philadelphia for private lessons and clinics and travels around the world teaching clinics. www.AshtangabyAllen.com
As for exercise..Yes any-body can benefit from yoga or just take a walk, use stairs at work or when shopping, and/or park your car a little further than usual. It all adds up.
By Allen Barkus. Allen has been practicing Ashtanga yoga since 1998 and teaching since 2004. His initial teacher training was with David Swenson and has been the student of Manju Jois since 2004. Manju, along with his father, introduced Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga to America in 1975. His studies focus on Healing Therapy. He is available in Philadelphia for private lessons and clinics and travels around the world teaching clinics. www.AshtangabyAllen.com
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