July 17, 2023

Are you the Scientist, the Mystic, or the Athlete?

Joke time: The scientist, the mystic, and the athlete all walk into a yoga class. Who walks out?

Jokes aside, this is a fun way to explore your primary inspiration for practice and at the same time contemplate what it is that you crave more of...

Are you more the Scientist?

You have a strong interest in anatomy and understanding intellectual concepts. You are curious about things like: what’s happening with your femur in a Warrior 1 pose, or your arm bones in a full backbend. You notice yourself perk up when the teacher shares some scientific or medical fact about the positive benefits of the breath or the nervous system during a class. Does this sound like you?

Are you more the Mystic?

You are hungry for more deep existential quotes from sacred texts. The kind of quotes that resonate with life off the mat. Any reference to the subtle or energetic body (chakras, nadis, energetic channels) has you inspired and craving more! Does this align with you?

Are you more the Athlete?

You love to sweat and move and challenge yourself and the physical benefits of the practice are why you come to class. You might even get a little agitated if the flow slows too far down. You love the workout! Does this fit you?

While I believe all three identities are inherent in each of us and on any given day, I also believe that we can walk into yoga as all three. I also believe that one may dominate a day more than another (i.e. the athlete may be the lead that day or the mystic or the scientist).

Most students I’ve worked with, friends of mine, and myself included, walk through the door of their first yoga studio as an athlete only. We're here to move our bodies, try out "this yoga thing", and not pay too much attention to the heavy science and subtle stuff.

This makes so much sense! Yoga asana is an embodiment practice after all. But I find the more I practice, the more I become the curious scientist and the intrigued mystic. I admire the evolution in myself and love witnessing it in others.

How can you decide which identity you are as a student & yogi?

Here's a few journal prompts for you:

• What has you coming back to practice again and again?

• Are you still solely interested in what carried you through the door for your first class?

• What has been sparked with curiosity and continued practice?

• What are you hungry for more of?

• Which part of yourself do you want to feed?

Let us know. We love to hear from you.

Love,

Rachel