The Work In vs the Work Out

I don’t know about you, but the pressure from society of always working out, working hard, getting hot and sweaty, this desire to be “fit” or “skinny”. What a tale that feels as old as time. And honestly, a narrative I myself, am sooooo OVER!

For years, the western culture has engrained in our brains, you gotta be fit, you gotta look good, you gotta be skinny to have worth. Ugh, even typing that I’m filled with so much disgust and also triggers from my past. I briefly touched on my own body issues in my last blog post and how social media impacted me personally. Filling me with thoughts of comparison and jealousy. Stuff that I have really worked hard on releasing over the years. 

But touching back on western culture, we are pumped with these egocentric ideals. And while yes, taking care of ourselves is one thing, but forcing and restricting ourselves to try to meet “goals” that maybe our bodies can’t or won’t obtain is such an old storyline. I see it now, more than ever, especially working in the “fitness” industry. And I had my own thoughts and feelings about yoga years ago, because I wasn’t ready to meet myself where I was, to do the work in or really didn’t even understand what any of that meant. 

So what does that even mean, the work in vs the work out. Yoga has become a popular way of movement in western society and constantly is growing and evolving. What used to be an ancient and sacred practice, has now become a multi-million dollar empire. With introductions of hot yoga, yoga sculpt, blending yoga with pilates, barre, and other movement modalities. Becoming more of a fitness regime and less of a spiritual practice.

This spiritual practice of yoga, is what makes it what it is. It was developed over 5,000 years ago and at that time, the flow and asana part of the practice wasn’t present yet. It was a mediation practice, for people seeking wisdom and spiritual guidance. Connecting ritual, mantra, meditation and contemplation. It then started to evolve into an inward practice, looking for guidance within yourself. It then adapted principles through text on how to live our lives, and how to do the right thing in society. And later, the asana and postures were introduced to the practice. 

So with that information, it brings me back to the work in. The inward journey that this practice brings to us. The ability to slow down, connect with the body and with the breath and come into embodiment, so we can be in the present. The postures and asana give us this idea of moving the mind, a cleaning out if you will. So as you move your body through your practice, you’re met with this self-discovery. 

In my classes this week, I talked about a quote, “Yoga is self-discovery in motion.” - Shayla Quinn. And it really got me thinking. At first, I think about motion as a physical component, but also motion can be the movement of our energy, the movement of our emotions and the movement through a spiritual experience. But just thinking about the physical part, there is self-discovery. And not just like, oh look I’m burning all these calories because I did a work out and sweated a ton. But noticing the left side of your body to the right side. The alignment of your postures. What you’re activating to come into the shape and how your breath supports that physical shape. Self-discovery in maybe watching how your shapes evolve over time even. 

So how and why did we steer away from the sacredness and transform this practice into a workout class. While yes, any movement you do, regardless if it’s yoga, you’re going to burn calories. Overtime, sure you’re going to see a change in your body. But why is that now the goal, instead of connection with your body, breath and your nervous system? Well western culture is self-obsessed. And that’s not entirely our faults, it’s constantly projected to us through social media, movies, tv shows, celebrities, etc. But what I also think and have noticed as a yoga teacher, is people are afraid to meet themselves. People are afraid to slow down. Were afraid of our own minds. 

When I first met the practice of yoga, I was obsessed with my image, and hitting my workouts hard. Yoga introduced to me, this idea of ease and I did not like that. I did not want to move slowly, connect with myself, or become aware of my body. And a lot of that was rooted in my worth. I did not like myself or my body so I wanted to change it. Instead of accepting it and working with it and noticing it. I disassociated from it and that’s why I wanted hard, hot and sweaty. So then I could feel accomplished. Just like how society has implanted in us that we have to always be busy or we are considered lazy. 

So I come to you with this, can you take the expectation off your practice. Can you let it be what it is and meet yourself where you are. Can you be curious to explore your body and breath to see what lies beneath. Think of it like this, how you respond to yourself and your practice on your mat, is most likely a reflection of you respond to yourself off your mat. Can you see how this practice is so much BIGGER than movement? 

All of this to say, as a yoga teacher, I want to stay in the integrity of this sacred practice. I want to honor the ritual. I am still evolving as a teacher and how I show up for my students, but I’d like to think I try to stay as humble as I can to this practice. 

So let yourself ponder this and chew on the idea of your practice and working in vs working out. Let yourself evolve, even if you’re someone who loves the workout. Can you open yourself up, maybe, to a new perspective. 

As always friends, let me know your thoughts. I love to connect. :)

With lots of love and light,

Alyssa :)