Oh the Pleasure (Oh, the Pain!)

Here's what our readers have to say about their love/hate relationships with yoga.

Of course we love our yoga practice: yoga can lift our spirits, ground us in the present moment, and lead us out of the temporal world to a higher state of consciousness. But the path to enlightenment is fraught with little stumbling blocks that often get in the way of our bliss. Here’s what our readers have to say about their love/hate relationships with yoga.

"Yoga can take me to a place of exhilaration. Outdoor yoga among the trees, with a summer breeze tugging at my shirt, has the peculiar ability to put a smile on my face for the whole day. Now, if only men had the same variety and beauty in clothing that women have, my yoga experience would be complete."
Dan Kells, CEO, North Vancouver electoral riding, Green Party of Canada and student of Hatha yoga

"I love the way yoga makes me feel. I hate listening to chirping birds, chanting, and running water for an hour."
Darren Sinclare, wholesale account manager, Lululemon, and student of all types of yoga

"I love how I feel after the 90-minute session_that I survived and that I’m better for it; I feel on top of the world! I love it when Barb sings opera at the end. At first I hated the heat, but it gets better... I hate when I can’t do a posture or hold one, but I know that if I keep trying I’ll get better. "
Kerry Ho, CEO of Inhance Investment Management Inc. and student of Bikram Yoga

"Love breathing but hate having no tissue to blow my nose. Love sweating but hate smelling hot yoga shorts."
Geordie Milne, teacher of Hatha, power, yin meditation, and kid’s yoga

"I’m weak, drenched in sweat, heart pounding into my throat and I’m definitely not liking the demanding teacher. I’m the epitome of miserable ... but 90-minutes later, I’m clear, present, energized and fondly recollecting the wise instructor. "
Rebecca Ephraim, SharedVISION publisher and student of Bikram Yoga

"Because I’m a runner, yoga makes me painfully aware of the tightness in my hips and hamstrings, and at the same time it releases these areas of my body and brings me into a state of relaxation.

I hate the way the practice of mindfulness makes me aware of the way I spin on topics over and over and over, and yet it’s only through this awareness that I can let these thoughts go."
Sarah Cockell, health psychologist and student of power yoga

"I love yoga because it somehow manages to bring my body, mind, and spirit together. It gives me a great workout that leaves me feeling invigorated and relaxed. What I hate about yoga is that the more I do it, the more I want to do it. Oh my gosh, I think I’m addicted! "
Audrey McCulloch, filmmaker and student of core yoga

"I love the way it calms my mind, the way it helps keep my body young and strong.

I love the thoughtful insights that my yoga teachers share about life and the pursuit of deeper meaning.

My pet peeve is if I don’t do yoga regularly I lose flexibility and off the mat it manifests itself in my being less skillful in flowing with the inevitable changes that life brings my way."
Mark Pezarro, principal, Earthvoice Strategies, (a strategic advice firm), and student of Iyengar yoga

"Love: feeling stretchy and bending, better posture, building heat up, warmth within, class moving as one, inspiring teachers, mix of stimulating energy and instilling calmness, cultivation of strength and compassion. Hate: balance postures (hard on the ego!), classes where we’re packed in like sardines, core postures that seem to be held for eternity."
Carla Morales, associate executive director of THEO BC and student of Hatha yoga

Compiled by SharedVISION editor Tamara Letkeman and yoga instructor Insiya Rasiwala

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