I have small collection of yoga books at home that I refer to from time to time to review certain poses or to remind myself of the myriad benefits of yoga. One of the most comprehensive and useful yoga tomes on my yoga bookshelf is Yoga as Medicine: The Yogic Presciption for Health and Healing by Dr. Timothy McCall.
The other day I thumbed through this book again for food for thought for this blog and came across the following statements in Chapter 7 which include guidelines for "establishing a personal practice." Dr. McCall asserts the following and I agree wholeheartedly (I am generally very cautious about the "wisdom" doled out by conventional authorities and the mainstream media - my motto is to "question conventional wisdom):
"...I believe that a home yoga practice is generally the most efficient way to build your yoga groove...As useful and healing as a reslationship with a great yoga teacher can be, ultimately what you do in your own practice is the most important determinant of success in yoga therapy."
McCall goes on to explain that yoga classes are beneficial but if you fail to also practice at home, you won't reap the maximum therapeutic benefits that yoga can bring. McCall acknowledges that some people can't find the discipline to practice without a class and many enjoy the community that a class provides. However, he also makes the same point that I have uttered so often, that it can be much easier to carve out the time for a daily 20 minute practice at home attending an hour or longer class a few times a week which involves packing up your yoga mat and other gear, driving to the yoga class, changing clothes at the gym or studio, and then schlepping back home. My schedule simply won't permit all these steps and all the time involved to take a class. It's SO much easier waking up in the morning and taking the 15 second commute down to my recreation room.
No, you will never convince me, unless a yoga studio is literally next door, that attending a yoga class is superior to a home practice. The ideal scenario would be to both attend classes and do home practice. For now, though, I will keep on doing yoga in my home yoga "studio" space that you see above!
Yours for gaining tremendous benefits from a home yoga practice!
Laura Venecia Rodriguez, the Beginners Yoga at Home Coach
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