Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Natural medicine, yoga, acupuncture, etc.

fdr · 11-13-2006, 04:25 PM

Holden,

Yoga is, according to Answers.com, a Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity. The word also refers to the system of exercises practiced as part of this discipline to promote control of the body and mind.

Discipline. Control. Very masculine words, yes? Also very much the language of PD... hmm!

In American culture, more women do yoga than men because (a) American culture says women have to stay in shape and be beautiful, and also (b) the insight/spirituality aspect is more socially acceptable for women to access than for men. Are there other aspects that enter into your "social conditioning" beliefs? Do these dynamics limit you in other ways besides exploring some non-Western practices?

You might want see if you can dig down closer to the source of your resistance. You didn't say you were afraid of trying a yoga class, per se, but my sense from your post is there's maybe some fear of rejection or ridicule from your family and peers. So you might ask yourself, "why am I scared to just go to a yoga class and find out what it's all about?" "Because it's not socially acceptable." "Why do I care if it's socially acceptable?" "Because I don't want people to laugh at me." "Why do I care if they laugh?" "If they laugh at me, it means they think I'm stupid." "Why does that matter?" etc. etc. [This may not be at all how your inner dialogue actually runs; I've no idea -- just offering it as an example.]

You might see if there's a yoga class just for guys in your area -- they do exist; you are not the only man who's ever experienced this apprehension! Or you might just choose "trying a yoga class" as the risk you choose to tackle for yourself on a particular day. Keep us posted!

11-13-2006, 04:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
fdr Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USVI Posts: 45	Shifting cultural perspective Holden, Yoga is, according to Answers.com, a Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity. The word also refers to the system of exercises practiced as part of this discipline to promote control of the body and mind. Discipline. Control. Very masculine words, yes? Also very much the language of PD... hmm! In American culture, more women do yoga than men because (a) American culture says women have to stay in shape and be beautiful, and also (b) the insight/spirituality aspect is more socially acceptable for women to access than for men. Are there other aspects that enter into your "social conditioning" beliefs? Do these dynamics limit you in other ways besides exploring some non-Western practices? You might want see if you can dig down closer to the source of your resistance. You didn't say you were afraid of trying a yoga class, per se, but my sense from your post is there's maybe some fear of rejection or ridicule from your family and peers. So you might ask yourself, "why am I scared to just go to a yoga class and find out what it's all about?" "Because it's not socially acceptable." "Why do I care if it's socially acceptable?" "Because I don't want people to laugh at me." "Why do I care if they laugh?" "If they laugh at me, it means they think I'm stupid." "Why does that matter?" etc. etc. [This may not be at all how your inner dialogue actually runs; I've no idea -- just offering it as an example.] You might see if there's a yoga class just for guys in your area -- they do exist; you are not the only man who's ever experienced this apprehension! Or you might just choose "trying a yoga class" as the risk you choose to tackle for yourself on a particular day. Keep us posted!