TO DO or NOT TO DO our upcoming EAGLE YOGA WORKSHOP?

PARALYZED BY FEAR
by Chinook Gnome Wusdhu

Most articles in yoga magazines are written for those who already have a yoga practice.  Today, I write these words and thoughts for those who have never practiced yoga - those who are teetering on the edge of breaking through their own fears and entering this new and amazing world of yoga.

Why are people afraid of yoga?  The yoga tribe is the safest tribe on the planet.  I’ve never heard of a yoga terrorist.  I’ve never heard of a ‘drive-by yogi’ shooting.  Why - because a major principle of yoga is ahimsa (nonviolence) to yourself and other creatures. 

Most major religions have fought, maimed, and killed mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and babies - all in the name of God.  Religions preach nonviolence, but in actuality, some people don’t practice nonviolence.  We, the yogis, are the only ones who don’t promote war. 

A sacred yoga studio is one of the safest places to be.  The risk of danger and injury through yoga when compared to many other activities is miniscule.  How risky is yoga, really, when you consider these astonishing facts:

•    Astronauts fly through the vastness of outer space to the moon and back.

•    Explorers explore the murky depths of the deepest oceans. 

•    Adventurers climb the highest mountain summits. 

•    Seafarers use the stars to sail across the roughest oceans. 

•    Pilots travel at incredible speeds to break the sound barrier. 

•    Adventurers travel extraordinary distances in hot air balloons. 

•    Indy race car drivers compete at dangerous speeds exceeding 230 mph. 

•    Daredevils traverse across skyscrapers suspended only by tightrope. 

•    Brave cowboys ride 3300-pound wild bucking Brahma bulls. 

•    Acapulco extreme cliff divers freefall dive from 45 meters high, traveling 50 mph, and must time the waves and wind just right or they will not have the 4.5 meters needed to clear the rocky bottom. 

•    The American Association of Neurological Surgeons states that football-related concussions in the US were estimated to be 300,000 per year.  Statistics say that 40,000 of those concussions are suffered by high school players. 

•    In the equestrian arena, more than 2300 riders under the age of 25 are hospitalized annually because of horseback riding injuries.  This is a higher rate of injury than motorcycle riding. 

•    There have been as many as 6,420,000 auto accidents and 40,000 car crash fatalities in one year.  About 115 people die every day in a vehicle in the US - one death every 13 minutes. 

•    Hockey injuries often result from player collisions to the head, neck, spine, shoulder, knee, and face; a dangerous sport with pucks traveling at more than 100 mph.

In all of the above-mentioned activities, there have been many fatalities.  So, why is there such a fear of yoga?  Where is the courage of our forefathers; the spirits of the early adventurers and explorers?  How did we go from being brave enough to climb Mount Everest to now being afraid of a yoga studio or a tree pose?  Is it possible that we are afraid of healing?  Is it a mind trap of the id to make us quit before we even start the healing process?  Hmmmmmm???? 

Stop making excuses and explore a yoga studio.  As my Coach Thompson used to say: “If you are afraid to make a mistake, you will never win at anything.”  Participating may be the best thing you ever did for yourself, others, and the planet – mentally, physically, and spiritually.  Don’t be paralyzed by your fear!

Namaste.