Love Your Body Week 2009 is in full swing. The Towson University Counseling Center has partnered with other organizations on campus to host a series of programs and events designed to help TU students, faculty, and staff members celebrate their bodies in all of their diversities.
On Tuesday, the Counseling Center and Campus Recreation Services sponsored a free yoga program with Dr. Edith Brotman in Burdick Hall. Edith is an instructor at Charm City Yoga and sociology professor at TU.
I had a conversation with Edith to learn more about the role that yoga plays in her life and some of the holistic health benefits of yoga.
First of all, how long have you been practicing yoga?
EB: I took my first yoga class in 1994 and dabbled with it until 2000 when I got pretty committed. But it took three more years of practice before yoga began to change my life.
When did you become an instructor and what motivated you to start teaching classes?
ED: I’ve been teaching for almost four years. I resisted the idea of teaching for several years because I felt that I had too much to learn about my own practice before I would truly teach others.
What were the goals of yesterday’s Love Your Body yoga program on TU’s campus?
EB: Loving your body is really about loving your whole self. The body is just a temporary vessel, so-to-speak, for your real self–your mind and your soul. Yoga, especially yoga that remains true to yogic principles emphasizes that idea that a strong body is the path to our physical, mental and spiritual health–not about the ego. Yoga is ultimately about the inner self–are you kind to yourself and others, do you practice self-restraint, are you calm in the face of chaos, etc. That inner beauty which emerges through the practice of yoga gets reflected outward. You appear kind, confident and calm, but our external appearance is not the focus. We love ourselves even and especially when we do not conform to the external ideals of beauty.
From your own perspective and experiences, what are some of the physiological, emotional and psychological benefits of practicing yoga?
EB: Some people seem to believe that yoga cures everything. I am more cautious about the claims. What we do know is that yoga improves physical strength and flexibility. You can lose weight through mindful eating and lower your blood pressure. Emotionally, studies, have found that yoga helps people manage depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. I know people who use their yoga practice to help with anger, impulsivity, drug and alcohol abuse and eating disorders.
Why do you think some people are intimidated to try yoga? What would you say to encourage them?
EB: A lot of folks think that they can’t do yoga because they’re not flexible. Well, I’ve got news for them. They are never going to be flexible if they only do the things that they are good at doing. Flexibility is both a mental and a physical state. By not trying yoga you are giving in to inflexibility in both senses. People should also keep in mind that there are different styles of yoga and they should keep trying to find the one that suits them.
If you missed the LYBW yoga program on campus, Edith teaches Hot Vinyasa – my favorite kind of yoga – at Charm City Yoga in Towson on Sundays from 10-11:30 a.m. Charm City Yoga Towson is located on 7 Allegheny Avenue.
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