Values ​​and Yoga: Otherness #6

Every person has certain values ​​that are important to them and by which they live. In our new series we want to introduce you to the values ​​of our society and our coexistence through yoga teachers. Today with Dana from Hamburg, with the value:

Otherness

Different sounds somehow exotic, like above or below average, it literally smells like “deviation from the norm” and somehow just the sound of this word makes you feel like you are entering unknown territory. The social meaning of this term is as multifaceted as the endless possibilities for practicing and living yoga.

Herbert, for example, is different, different from all the others, he is the person I love. If you ask Herbert or, for that matter, the Duden, otherness is a quality of being different in some way or fundamentally from someone else or something else. It's actually not rocket science, but it is precisely this difference that seems to be so controversial and sought after at the same time.

Otherness versus sameness

Diversity is what the majority stands for in society today. For a world in which we stand up for one another and live together regardless of origin, religion, gender, skin color or worldview. This is the really big cinema. Perhaps the intention of all humanity if we had to agree. Too powerful and fragile for this small article.

Let's limit ourselves to our mini-cosmos. Hamburg-Eppendorf. Admittedly the prototype for the pursuit of individuality (otherness) in accordance with social conventions, but with a lot of confetti from above. What comes of it?

Herbert could swear that every morning when he leaves the house, the same fur jackets with white sneakers are standing in front of our house drinking coffee. Neither Herbert nor I have anything against white sneakers. But why don't we notice that we are distorting our self and moving further and further away from what really defines us?

Here in the West, we often define our self by our body or our appearance. Not wrong, but tangible. Nevertheless, this exaggerated identification also leads to us paying more attention to the form than to the feeling in our asana practice. It is absurd because yoga does not aim at uniformity, but rather at the uniqueness of each person. That's what's special, the core of yoga.

Of self-love and distorted perception

Far away from social norms, scientific laws and questionable moral concepts, what makes us who we are is deep within us - our self - and that is as different and different as there are people on earth. No one is more different than the other, even if this is suggested to us every day - we are all unique by nature! Let us recognize, admire and love this difference within us.

Knowledge or not, we all have expectations, experiences and values. People with the same moral compass are often emotionally closer or more familiar to us. Vice versa, deviations from this sometimes seem strange and unknown to us, make us curious or scare us away. This affects our perception and ultimately our actions. It is as if we look at our world, environment and fellow human beings through a dirty window because we lack the necessary ability to differentiate to see them as they really are. We see what we want to see as a reflection of our expectations, experiences, associations, wishes. A vicious cycle.

That too. So being different doesn't just have to do with self-love, but also with the ability to see the things around us as they really are.

And again the really big cinema. The easiest way to self-love and clarity is to get to the root of the problem. Fascinating. It is actually about cleaning windows, clearing the mind of its impurities, developing clear vision. This process is called yoga. And the beautiful thing is, because each of us is unique, our path to get there is also different.

Act for more self-love and reflection

(Picture by Mirjam Kilter, www.freesendeern.de )

It can be so easy. Tracing is essential for our yoga practice. It brings you closer to yourself, you feel your inner connection and thus detach yourself from the external form.

• After each sequence, close your eyes for a moment in Samasthiti (basic pose) or Balasana (child pose)
• Take a few breaths here and feel whether anything has changed as a result of the previous practice, how your body feels and how your mind behaves
• Observe, feel and simply perceive, non-judgmentally, without judgment. Maybe you feel the heaviness in your legs after a long day, just notice and accept this feeling with affection and love
• Maybe your thoughts jump back and forth and you feel agitated - just notice that and try to lovingly draw your attention to your breathing again and again

A mini act for more self-love and reflection. At some point you will automatically be able to carry this approach to yourself from the yoga mat into your everyday life. Don't be frantic about it, but make not only your yoga practice, but also your tracking into a daily ritual.

Yoga reminds Dana (34) of her intuition every day and for her it is a process that is not limited to her yoga mat. As a Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher, her classes are dynamic and powerful, but she makes sure to give enough space to explore. The most important thing for them is to develop and protect their students at the same time. Herbert is a pseudonym for her partner. They practice yoga together and don't take themselves too seriously. Curious? Then contact Dana via her FB profile , by email to D.Pukowski@web.de or simply via Find Your Yoga .

Would you like to share your thoughts on a value in our society related to yoga? Then please send us an email to mail[at]findedeinyoga.org . We are happy!

You can find all previously published articles in the “Values ​​and Yoga” series here .