We know that women have special needs when it comes to health and well-being. What are some tips for making sure you keep yourself safe?
The “yoga poses for ladies” is a yoga class that focuses on the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of women. It is designed to help women develop self-confidence, strength, flexibility and balance.
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If you only had thirty seconds:
Even if you’ve never tried yoga before, you must do so to really understand India. After all, the nation is where the historical practice originated. However, it is understandable that you would be hesitant to sign up for the class if you’re a woman going to a nation that is considered the most dangerous country in the world for women (beating even Afganistan and Syria), and where rape charges during yoga sessions are on the rise.
In this essay, I’ll discuss my experience taking private yoga lessons in Rishikesh, discuss their safety, and provide some advice and warning signs for selecting and participating in yoga retreats and courses in India.
1/2 The World’s Capital Of Yoga
It takes around 6 hours to get from Delhi to Rishikesh, a fairly tiny city (though it doesn’t feel that way after you get out of your tuk-tuk in the middle). It gives the relative freshness of mountain air and the wind of the Holy Ganges since it is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Rishikesh has long been known as the world’s center for yoga. All year long, hundreds of tourists and seekers of enlightenment come to the city to participate in yoga retreats in the hopes of learning meditation, finding answers, or just stretching their sore muscles at the home of yoga. According to Lennon, the very same Beatles went to Rishikesh for a training session at a nearby ashram where they composed some of their finest songs.
For your yoga practice and meditation, Rishikesh provides a lovely and serene environment.
I stayed in the city for a total of 8 days. My main goal wasn’t to practice yoga but rather to get away from the chaos and commotion of dirty Delhi. To be quite honest, I was hesitant to enroll in yoga courses in the first place.
You may find out that India has a long history of abusing women and having a rape culture if you do a little study. Furthermore, you are gravely incorrect if you believe that going inside a temple to attend a yoga lesson with a guru renders you secure. Numerous instances of subpar and sexually inappropriate conduct by yoga teachers, and even rape, have been documented. The most recent ones include the rape case brought by an Irish citizen and the molestation of the 28-year-old US citizen during a yoga practice.
Once you go further, sexual assault horror tales never stop. for instance, this one. The biggest tantra school in the world’s founder of Agama School was reportedly accused of torturing and raping hundreds of his former pupils and colleagues over a period of years while certain staff members covered up the evidence and blamed the victims. This summer, the school’s Rishikesh, India, branch was shuttered in order to “examine its methods.”
My favorite yoga equipment must-haves
Regarding my yoga equipment, I have high standards.
It supports my efforts for a sustainable yoga practice and lifestyle, thus I’m willing to spend some money on high-quality, ethically created products that are durable and environmentally friendly.
2/2 My Personal Yoga Class Experience
Despite the negative headlines, I believed that skipping the chance to practice yoga in the nation where it originated was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Since I already knew several people from the hotel, I figured it would be best to enroll in a regular drop-in group lesson at my guest home. But life functions in a strange manner. The Ashtanga session was attended simply by myself.
I was indeed tense at the moment. The city’s busiest tourist destination is Tapovan. Like mushrooms after a rain, yoga studios and schools are mushrooming up everywhere. Local governments also have no rules or oversight over these enterprises. They don’t verify the credentials of yoga teachers or if they’ve had the appropriate professional training to lead courses.
So I didn’t feel too happy about the idea of spending the whole class with the teacher I didn’t know anything about.
I was fortunate. To my relief, the yoga instructor arrived with a female companion—his wife, as it turned out later. That was very helpful since it allowed his wife to correct my postures when I wasn’t doing the asana properly or needed a little assistance. It gave me a sense of security and comfort. I subsequently scheduled further private lessons.
Your body may be doing asanas here because to the continual visual stimulation, but your mind is likely elsewhere.
The majority of the yoga classes you will discover in India consider yoga as a spiritual route towards attaining peace and happiness, in contrast to Western yoga, which today places a heavy emphasis on the physical element of the practice. Each of our sessions began with a short spiritual instruction. The teacher was interested in how I saw yoga and what it meant to me. I’ll be honest: I’ve never asked myself those questions before. He showed me some breathing exercises and how to concentrate on breathing while practicing.
It turned out that Ashtanga yoga was not a robust and physically demanding kind of yoga as was often believed. Literally translated as “eight-limbed yoga,” classical Ashtanga refers to the eight conditions needed to reach self-realization. The physical position known asana is only one of these prerequisites. Others include breathing, meditation, focus, energy management, etc.
The part that surprised me the most was having to keep my eyes closed the whole time. You can only imagine how uncomfortable it was for me to attempt to reposition my body into the required position with just verbal directions, much alone while standing on one leg.
The teacher claims that closing your eyes isolates you from the outside world and helps you concentrate on your inner sensations. While your body may be doing asanas here because to the continual visual input, he said that your mind would be elsewhere. The secret to a fruitful and fulfilling practice is observation. There are three stages of observation: pre-observation, which happens before the practice itself, intermediate observation, during which you try to feel your body while performing asanas and figure out which muscles have been working, and post-observation, which takes place after the practice and looks at the changes in your body.
In Rishikesh, there are several ashrams that provide packages that include yoga instruction, lodging, and food. Before enrolling in a lengthy yoga course, try out a few sessions and do some internet research.
I didn’t learn about the history of yoga teaching until much later. Prior to the 1930s, there is practically no record of yoga instructors giving physical adjustments to their pupils. This aspect of yoga practice spread when Indian yoga instructors taught sessions to Western students who thought these modifications were conventional and necessary.
Looking back, I’m happy I had the courage to take the risk and experience this. Although I don’t really like India as a nation (I have good reasons for this that need a separate piece), Rishikesh and the yoga sessions I took there have left me with the warmest recollections.
Tips For Women’s Safety
I won’t generalize and say that Rishikesh is really secure and that you should bring your yoga mat and sign up for your course right away. Since it isn’t. India taught me many things, one of which is the need of being vigilant. at all times and places. Because most individuals will attempt to trick or con you if you’re a Westerner, particularly if you have pale complexion. They’ll regard you like the problem if you just leave.
Additionally, some yoga studios prey on unsuspecting newcomers by making money-grabbing promises to provide the solution or, at the very least, alleviate their “pain of life.” At worst, like the creator of Agama Yoga did, by sexually abusing female pupils and assuring them they would become enlightened via sex. Therefore, be sure to take into account these suggestions while selecting the yoga school or when getting to know your teacher and the staff.
1) Work hard to do exhaustive research
Google is your best friend when looking for information on your next yoga school or ashram, and I cannot stress this enough. And then do more research. On sites like Reddit or even Trip Advisor, you may discover a ton of reviews. Make touch with the school’s past pupils if you have the opportunity.
However, I would advise you to go to your favorite location and enroll in courses at several institutions. Every yoga teacher is unique, and they all have their own teaching methods. Find a teacher that creates a warm and friendly environment in the classroom.
2) Steer clear of institutions that claim to improve your mood.
Or to treat your illnesses, resolve your issues, and provide you with solutions. No one can provide that, after all. Nobody can guarantee where your spiritual journey will take you; it is entirely up to you. And no, neither yoga nor tantra will make you well or stop you from becoming sick. Some educational institutions actively tell their pupils falsehoods, such “if you practice yoga, you won’t develop cancer.” I implore you not to fall for this nonsense.
And if you don’t experience the bliss that was promised at the end of the course, they’ll probably blame you for it since you didn’t put enough effort into it.
Surprisingly effective at both keeping you cool during arduous yoga sessions and covering off your curves are harem trousers.
3) Watch out if you feel superior to the yoga teachers or masters at your school.
They could beg you for more contributions while hanging up images of their yoga instructors on the walls. They could also refrain from becoming annoyed or upset if you voice opposing opinions or show dissatisfaction with anything, from laughing off your doubts, or from challenging the spiritual direction of your guru.
4) If you don’t want to be physically corrected while doing the postures, let your yoga instructor know.
Being reprimanded by a woman was a safe experience for me, but it doesn’t happen often. India still has a substantial gender imbalance, and the majority of yoga instructors there are men. Watch out if your yoga instructor becomes too “touchy” throughout the class. Don’t be scared to speak out if you believe that this is how yoga may be practiced in India. Not at all.
5) Refrain from wearing leggings.
Choose harem pants to tuck your curves away. I detest this, but India is a very conservative nation, therefore you should stay away from skimpy and tight clothing. You’ll feel more at ease wearing wide pants during practice, and the airy material will keep you cool when it’s hot.
6) Opt for a small group lesson rather than a one-on-one one.
Private yoga instruction might be very beneficial. However, this does not obligate you to continue working one-on-one with the instructor. Some educational institutions provide private yoga classes for up to three students. Invite your new friends to join you in the small group lesson if you made any at the hotel.
7) Have the guts to go.
Simply leave if you don’t like the instructor, feel insecure, uneasy, or intimidated. Perhaps everyone is extremely kind and pleasant, and the yoga instructor is competent, but you can’t shake the uneasy sensation that something is off and that you are being coerced into doing something. Stay vigilant and have the guts to leave.
India is a perplexing nation chock full of surprises. You never know—you could wind up having the time of your life if you have an open mind and remain vigilant!
How can sexual harassment in yoga courses be stopped?
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Yoga is a great way to improve your overall health and well-being. Yoga poses for 3 are all you need to get started. Reference: yoga poses for 3.
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