The role of ritual in Yin Pilates
Although I very often do it, I must admit that until recently I have been a bit wary about beginning my Yin Pilates sessions with a 5-minute visualization or relaxation practice. On reflection, I think this was a reaction to my early Yoga experiences, where I found chanting in Sanskrit and bowing to multiple Hindu deities somewhat off-putting. I did not want my clients to feel the sense of irritation that had put me off. It is not that I am opposed to group rituals. In fact, history tells us that they can be powerful healing experiences, practiced in almost every culture. Of little interest to Yogis perhaps, recent research in mind/body medicine demonstrates such experiences can be measured in factors like lowered blood pressure and increases in immune system function. My discomfort stemmed from
the religious overtones. What I wanted from Yoga was effective stretching and a sense of calm and relaxation. I was not searching for a religious conversion. Of course, I could have ignored that aspect of it, but it seemed too pervasive, and there were too many benevolent “yoga smiles� for me to be comfortable. So, I threw the baby out with the bathwater and quit.