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Why I don’t teach yoga for this pain or that pain

Why I don't teach yoga for this pain or that pain

July 29, 2015 By Monica Stone 2 Comments

Everyone has an opinion, right?
 
Even if you feel super clear, and don’t ask for it, there are people that just can’t help but project their beliefs onto you. 
 
I know i’ve been guilty of it too.
 
The problem is when the opinion is so strong that somehow you get thrown you into that place of uncertainty again.
 
What happened to that awesome feeling of free and clear?
 
Since I began this blog back in 2013, I started getting a lot of opinions on what to post about from friends and fellow bloggers to help build traffic.
 
I had one friend tell me to write about controversial yoga topics because those are more likely to get shared. 
 
But, I don’t want to do that.
 
I don’t want to create controversy for the sake of shock value and shares. Plus, what would that do for my following? I’d just have people who want to click on this one post to see what all the fuss is, and then never return.
 
My goal is to build a community around helping people with simple practices to find inner peace in every moment. 
 
Another thing I am always told to write about are things like, “yoga for back pain,” or “yoga for runners.” 
 
Mostly, I was told to do this because it would be great for search engine optimization and shares. I appreciate that advice, but to be honest, the thought of those posts seem soooo boooooring to me 
 
If you want to learn about yoga for back pain, or runners, or tight shoulders, then Google it.
 
There are a million posts out there on that. I’m sure you’ve seen images on Pinterest for these targeted areas as you scroll through. 
 
I always considered it because I’m interested in building my following, but it wasn’t until recently that I finally said an authentic NO.

Mainly, I don’t believe in Yoga for “fill in the blank” pain. 

Here’s why:

Yoga is not just stretching. I know those are popular topics, but my belief of yoga goes deeper. Yoga is not like a pill you take for awhile to cure an area, and then you’re done. 
 
The whole aspect of yoga heals you. If you do yoga day after day consistently; your back pain or sciatica (or fill in the blank pain) will eventually heal itself. The yoga sutras say that any future known pain should be avoided, so by practicing mindfully, you can heal.
 
I’m not saying yoga should be done in place of a doctor. Sometimes we need to see a doctor and follow a doctors advice for certain types of pain.
 
In fact, I have a story about that…. 
 
I had a precancerous mole removed with stitches a few years ago. When I did this, I was told not do exercise or any stretching. I tried to resume my yoga practice, but I kept feeling a pull on the stitches, so I meditated for two weeks instead. You need to treat your body mindfully and find that balance. 
 
I’m talking about general pain you might feel in your neck from staring at your computer screen for too long, or tightness in your lower back from living a sedentary life, or stress pain.
 
I’m NOT talking about excruciating pain that feels like an injury, or where you can’t move.
 
If you’re unsure of your pain, then go see a doctor. Use yoga alongside your doctors prescription to help with healing.
 
Ashtanga yoga is a set series of postures, and with daily practice, I have cured every pain that’s come to me. 
 
If for some reason my yoga practice slacks off, then I tend to have a reoccurring neck and shoulder pain. This is because whatever stress I am feeling finds real-estate in my neck and shoulders.
 
We all know that practice mirrors our life, so if I’m not practicing, then you can imagine there’s something stressful going on that I’m not dealing with.
 
When I hop on the mat and practice daily and mindfully, I instantly change my habits, and the pain goes away. This is not just because of the physical practice, but because I let go of whatever is happening to cause this pain emotionally.
 
I personally don’t believe in teaching yoga for a specific area. I believe in teaching a consistent spiritual practice to heal your mind and body. 
 
Here’s what I encourage in a yoga practice to take care of pain or discomfort:
 
1. Practice daily, even if it means just a few Sun Salutations or meditation.
2. Practice slowly: Take more breaths to get into the postures, and focus on what your feeling internally.
3. Be mindful: When you feel pain, or something just doesn’t feel right – modify.  
4. Consult a yoga teacher on how to modify postures. 
 
When in doubt, Practice Sun Salutations:
Sun Salutations start every yoga practice. They have a healing quality because they create flow and movement in the body, and steadiness of mind. You’re strengthening and finding flexibility with each muscle.
 
You’re also warming and waking up each cell in the body that are sometimes stagnant.
 
Lastly, you’re focusing on the breath and movement together, which creates a meditation to heal the mind.
 
This is the perfect start to create space in the body, calm the mind, and rid the body of tightness and discomfort.

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Why I Don't

 
Namaste!
 
To open hearts & hips,
Monica
 

Filed Under: Instruction

Monica Stone

About Monica Stone

Monica is a lover of all things yoga, a vegetarian, an avid tea drinker, and never gets sick of soup and noodle dishes. She teaches yoga, practices daily, and runs a Spiritual Book Club in Orlando, FL. She likes to challenge the strict rules of yoga, and makes it accessible for everyone - especially people who suffer from daily life and work stress.

« I lost myself. Here’s how I found my way back…
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Hi! I’m Monica

Monica StoneWell hello there! I'm Monica. I'm a yoga & meditation teacher (and junkie). I teach yoga practices that are quick and effective for the busy person who just needs a few minutes of quiet time in their day. Click around and you'll find quick meditation tips for calming the mind to simple stretches to relieve stress and tension. If you are sick of being intimidated by yoga or just confused by all of the different styles out there - then this page is for you. Yoga helps me daily & I know it will help you too! I'll show you how! Welcome to The Yogi Movement :)

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Testimonials

  • Jaime ShearerJaime ShearerYoga Student Since 2012

    Monica is dedicated to her own practice and the true path of yoga - the one of personal experience - which makes her an outstanding teacher. She is warm and easy to talk with, and she allows the student to have their own experience on the mat. She explains postures and breath in ways that are understandable so that the student "gets it." She makes yoga real and tangible in ways that truly serve the student. Work with Monica. You'll be glad you did.

  • Jacob AbercrombieJacob AbercrombieYoga Student Since 2011

    have always wanted to try yoga, but was always nervous. Monica took that fear away and made me feel like i was the only one in class with a room full of strangers. She is able to work with multiple students during the same move and still make it a personalized class for one.

  • Serena JonesSerena JonesYoga Student Since 2010

    Monica has been a highly influential teacher to me. She creates a safe environment for learning and practice. I have always felt grounded in her classes, and she pushes me beyond my own expectations. She inspires and motivates! I can't imagine my life without sharing a path with her!

  • Angela OrofinoAngela OrofinoYoga Student Since 2011

    Monica is a caring, wise, thoughtful, and talented yoga instructor. She has an in-depth knowledge of the philosophy and spirituality of Ashtanga yoga. My previous yoga experience had mostly just been at my local gym. Luckily, last year I found Monica. She has been guiding my practice at least once a week since then. As a newcomer to Ashtanga yoga, Monica made me feel comfortable and had the patience to teach me the basics. She also encouraged me to start an at home practice so that I was able to obtain a deeper understanding of Ashtanga. Monica is always encouraging and lets me know in subtle ways when she feels that I am ready to move deeper into my practice. I feel that the growth in my practice over the last year has been tremendous. Not only do I notice the change in me but others around me do as well. I am so grateful to have found Monica!

  • Sasha TamarSasha TamarYoga Student Since 2012

    I’ve come across many a yoga instructor over the years, but Monica stands out as genuinely amiable, as she glows with an infectious inner light, and highly devoted to and passionate about her practice. Her dedication to Ashtanga as a lifestyle is very clear, and creates for a contagious motivating force. Every time I’ve practiced with her, she eagerly transmits her devotion and passion of Ashtanga and meditation to everyone in class; she makes the most fledgling beginner feel at home, and simultaneously challenges the more advanced students. While I only practice Ashtanga with her, I know she provides therapeutic yoga sessions as well as meditation. And, if her methods of guiding students out of the Ashtanga vigor into the more meditative savasana are indicative of her meditational techniques, I’d recommend her to anyone

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Have you ever heard of the 4 seals of dharma? They are the 4 things that make you a buddhist, and all emotions are painful is the first one. That sounds crazy! What about love and happiness? How is that painful? Well haven't you ever had love and lost it? What if you got a brand new car & then got into a car accident right after? Or simply, what if you won an award, and then a few hours go by? The high goes away, right? All emotions lead to pain... but here's why it's actually a good thing... keep reading...
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