We are delighted to introduce our guest blogger, Kathy Osborne:
Yoga: Integrating both the beautiful and the ugly!
Yoga: Integrating both the beautiful and the ugly!
Twelve years ago I travelled alone to a Sri Lankan yoga retreat,
Ulpotha, having had serious depression. I was understandably nervous and shy,
and counting on this experience to give me a ‘new beginning’.
The local shaman took a shine to me bringing fresh bananas to my hut in
the morning and chatting to me. One morning he greeted me saying that he had a
vision in which I embodied a Hindu Goddess. He told me she was called ‘Kali’
and went on his way. When I asked my fellow guests I was met with giggles. Kali
was no vision of beauty, but the Goddess of Destruction!
This upset me, I was ill prepared to meet my anger, and darkness, and
counting on yoga to ‘take away’ my ‘bad’ feeling and give me a sense of ‘purity’.
Yoga, the ‘yoke’ joining body, mind and spirit can also reflect the
multitude of Hindu gods yoked together as parts of us. Yoga can be a means of
integrating both the beautiful, compassionate parts of myself and my angry,
warlike parts, which are there for a good reason. I feel strongly when I see
the advertisements in yoga magazines selling products offering purity and
perfection. I celebrate imperfection and challenge you to do the same!
Following my time at Ulpotha, I trained in yoga, found the wonderful
Special Yoga Centre, specialised in yoga for mental health and I am now
studying Integrative Psychotherapy.
Kathy Osborne is a practising yoga therapist for mental health and special needs (IAYT), accredited yoga teacher (RYT500) and is also trained in performing arts. Kathy is a current finalist on Integrative Psychotherapy M.A. at the Minster Centre. For more information please email kiosborne@yahoo.com or view Kathy's classes at the Special Yoga Centre clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/home.asp?studioid=3223
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