Running Head: YOGA AS A DISCOURSE COMMUNITY Yoga as a Discourse Community: Janelle E. De Castro University of California, Davis
Abstract The objective of this study is to gain further understanding as to what makes Yoga a discourse community through analyzing it s numerous aspects of purpose, goals, and methods of communication behind it. I organized this research paper into the specific qualities I have found that attribute to the community as a whole. I gathered primary research by having the opportunity to visit an actual Yoga studio and to conduct a set of interview questions for a total of five interviewees, as well as observing the qualities of the community. My secondary research includes credible information, which adds background and supports my argument through facts and educated sources. Introduction UWP 101 defines a discourse community as a group of people who share the same goals, interests, genres, and ways of communicating. Within the universal, worldwide community of fitness, there are widespread categories of the discourse communities that prevail. Whether it be sports, bodybuilding, Zumba, CrossFit, etc., there are numerous and distinct purposes, goals and ways of communicating within each community. In order to succeed in any of these programs, one must gain the willpower and be passionate enough to want to succeed In today s day and age, becoming physically fit has become the new trend, and I believe that fitness should be looked at as a lifestyle. There are numerous ways of achieving this well-being, and it all depends on the individual s unique interests which will determine what physical fitness community they would want to take part in. The ancient practice of Yoga embodies a discourse community that revolves around similar goals and purposes of practice, along with varying ways of
communicating. Practitioners of Yoga must adapt to the basic foundations of this practice in order to succeed in this fitness discourse community. They must be able to enter this community with an open mind and be brave enough to challenge themselves. I have always been fond of this discourse community and its ways of operation and fitness, and I seek to gain more knowledge on its significance and why it classifies as a discourse community to begin with. Purpose and Value So, what is Yoga? According to the dictionary definition of Yoga provided by Merriam Webster, Yoga is a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation/a system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and wellbeing. The history behind this practice stems from a wide spectrum of physical activity, religious and cultural values and has been around for over two thousand years. This statistic shows how prevalent this practice has been over the decades. While there are many purposes behind one s reason to practice Yoga, the worldwide communities work in harmony together. Although there are over a hundred different types, forms, or even schools of Yoga, a typical Yoga class essentially consists of practicing poses, breathing exercises, and meditation, along with focusing on flexing and stretching numerous muscles. In an article regarding the benefits of Yoga, according to Nevins (2016), The purpose of yoga is to create strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body (p. 1). Obtaining a state of well-being has become key in many people s day to day lives, and this is why the Yoga community is constantly growing.
Practitioner s reasons behind taking part in Yoga may be due to concerns regarding their mental, physical, and even spiritual health. During my recent visit to The Barefoot Yoga Studio in Davis, I took observations and analyzed what would go on in a typical yoga class, as well as interview a couple of practitioners after their class had ended. As I entered the Yoga studio, I immediately felt the serene vibes of the sensestimulating qualities of the atmosphere. I was greeted with a plethora of warm smiles, and I had already felt like I was family. As class had begun, relaxing waterfall music slowly crept on, and all the attention was directed on oneself and the instructor. Class began with breathing exercises, stretches, and then, what I believed to be the most difficult, poses. I realized how much determination and focus it takes for one to achieve the right state of mind in order to perform this practice. After class had ended, I conducted numerous interviews with the Yogi s. The question was, What do you value the most about Yoga? An extremely fit, middle-aged lady stated, Simply put, we value life. To live peacefully and harmoniously everyday, and practicing Yoga allows me to do that. It has ultimately made me a calmer individual. Another middle-aged lady stated, I value the physical and mental challenges it throws at me. My mind and my body suddenly combine, and I cannot do that with anything else. The poses can be quite difficult to attain, but that is the joy of it. Everyday I want to constantly improve the health of my mind and body overall, which further enable me with more benefits to my life. Overall, the values placed in the hearts of Yogi s are quite similar in the fact that practicing Yoga affects Yogi s lives in a positive way, causing them to become passionate about continuing being a part of the community.
Common Goals and Interests This practice has ultimately shaped thousands of worldwide communities, which have excelled in the countries all around the world today. According to Gordwell (2016), More people than ever across all age groups are realizing the benefits of yoga, from stress relief to flexibility to overall well-being. Yoga is a thriving, growing industry. The increasing number of people taking part in this practice correlates with the common goal of bettering oneself physically, emotionally, or spiritually. In an interview I conducted with a Yoga practitioner, Jesa Nuval, at The Barefoot Yoga Studio in Davis, I was able to gain insight on what sparked her interest to start practicing Yoga in the first place. My Scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine) which I developed at an early age has been a consistent problem of mine my entire life. I have attempted to cure it through various exercises, all which have not succeeded. My doctor told me that this diagnosis was not treatable. I continued to believe this until a fellow colleague of mine encouraged me to try practicing Yoga. I ve been practicing Yoga for about a year now and I have seen great results in the lining of my spine and posture, along with improving my mental and physical health overall. I d definitely recommend Yoga to anyone seeking an osteopathic approach in healing their bodies and even their mind state. It is apparent from Jesa s interviews that Yoga is a therapeutic practice, easing the body and mind into a state of tranquility. This interest is very popular among those with health deficiencies. Yoga offers a multitude of health benefits, all of which promote people to begin practicing Yoga in the first place. The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga can lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome, explains Dr. Nevins. Yoga can also lower blood pressure and reduce
insomnia (p. 1). Aside from physical health benefits, Yoga provides mental health benefits as well such as improving anxiety or managing stress. Nevins also states that Stress can reveal itself in many ways, including back or neck pain, sleeping problems, headaches, drug abuse, and an inability to concentrate. Yoga can be very effective in developing coping skills and reaching a more positive outlook on life (p. 1). For most, it is a method of healing but also serves its purpose as a daily promotion of self-love. According to Woodyard (2016), Yoga and meditation practices exert positive influence on addictive behaviors. Through the practice of yoga, addicts shift from self-inflicted harm and disrespect toward their bodies to more respectful, caring, and loving behaviors (p. 1) This finding demonstrates the common goal of improving one s outlook on their image, which is extremely relevant in today s world of constant comparison and selfhate. Yoga enables a great deal of self-confidence, which is vital to one s well-being. Another interview I conducted was with an older woman, who has been practicing Yoga for most of her life. I asked her the same question of what sparked her interest in Yoga at such a young age. She stated kindly, Yoga offered me an outlet for self expression. Growing up, I had a major anger management problem. Through Yoga s foundation of solidarity such as breathing techniques and exercises, known as Pranayama, I was able to calm down a bit and slowly, but surely over the years, lose touch with my anger issues. Thirty years later, I am now more peaceful than ever. I came to a conclusion that people of all diverse backgrounds can take part of this community for various reasons, and what ties them together are their shared goals and values. The Importance of Communication
Communication is a vital key that is continuously utilized in the Yoga community. This not only includes verbal, but nonverbal communication as well. During a phone call with my Aunt, I asked her, How important is it for the teacher and student to have healthy communication? in order to gain a better understanding of the importance of communication and ways of communicating within this community. She answered, Communication is extremely important. There must be consistent dialogue between the teacher and student, yoga practitioner to yoga practitioner, business owner to customer. The Yoga studio serves as a platform for conversation about personal growth in regards to reaching their intended goals in a physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual aspect. A flow of feedback is given from teacher to student, in order to advance past a certain level. It is teacher s job to direct and guide a student s misinterpretation of a concept, for example, a downward dog pose, to a better understanding of the knowledge behind it. This relates back to my experience while taking my first Yoga class. In one room, all beings were motivated and moved by one another. The teacher s calm voice directs the student s bodies in a formation that embodies the practice as a whole. The instructor demonstrates, cues, and then assists the students, much like any other subject that requires a set of communication skills. My aunt went on describing the importance of clear communication and stated, From a teacher s perspective, students will only continue to return back to your classes, based on how well you interact with your students, the social atmosphere you create, and the intellectual stimulation you provide them with. This goes to show how important the quality of the instructor s methods of teaching are, as well as how dedicated the student must be in order to excel. As a teacher, according to Crandell (2007), You should follow up with affirmations such as, Yes,
you ve got it, Excellent, or Thank you. These words of encouragement are necessary in order for the students to gain a clear understanding of the instructions as opposed to having them feel as if they are doing something wrong. Another method of communication within this community includes the communication between peer to peer. There is a constant stream of motivation that flows between one Yogi s heart to the other. Inspirational and empowering words, such as chanting in synchronicity, Namaste, meaning I bow to you, are said concluding every practice. This demonstrates the equal respect and acknowledgment every person in this community has for one another. Discussion The discourse community of Yoga ultimately connects individuals of all kinds through its purposes, values, goals, and ways of communicating. Yoga is journey about one s connection to themselves and the universe around them. By connecting journeys and sharing inspiration we find a meaning of yoga. Being an active and young college student, I have now gained a better understanding at why it has become a way of life for millions of people across the globe. By gathering primary and secondary research, I am now more aware of and inspired by the purposes, values, goals, and forms of communication within this discourse community. Yoga aligns with my own goals, morals, and values by showing me the importance of maintaining my health not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually as well. It will provide me with an escape from reality, and will allow me to become more in tune with myself. I am determined that when I begin my journey into Yoga, I will step foot into a welcoming, broad discourse community that will ultimately benefit my life as whole.
Reference Page 1. Nevins, D.O. (2016). The benefits of yoga. Retrieved from http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/healthconditions-library/general-health/pages/yoga.aspx. 2. Gordwell, C. G. (2016). 2016 Yoga in american study conducted by yoga journal and yoga alliance reveals growth and benefits. Retrieved from http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/2016-yoga-in-america-studyconducted-by-yoga-journal-and-yoga-alliance-reveals-growth-and-benefits-ofthe-practice-300203418.html. 3. Woodyard, C.W. (2011). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc3193654/#ref35. 4. Crandell, J. C. (2007). The art of verbal communication. Retrieved from http://www.yogajournal.com/article/teach/the-art-of-verbal-communication/.