Power Yoga Therapy

Posted by Jen
Filed in Health & Fitness
January 26, 2007

Let me start off by saying this: I am NOT into yoga. I'm just not. Over the years I've gone through a lot of periods where I've wanted to be into yoga, but I've never been able to manage it. I just hate the whole vibe of most yoga studios and yogis and yoga-girls in their over-priced, too-tight Lululemon pants.

I know people who teach yoga, and they always tell me to give it a try. They imply that in THEIR classes, I won't be looked at like a freak because I'm wearing regular old baggy sweats and don't yet know the poses. Ha! Basically, I've never been to a yoga class that didn't make me feel fat, uncoordinated and out of place.

Until now.

Jesse Enright, a Vancouver-based yoga teacher with 12 years of experience, has recently started teaching his own brand of yoga in the city. He's calling it Power Yoga Therapy. The vibe of acceptance is strong, bordering on the cheesy, but seeing him teach, I'm getting for the first time why people like yoga.

This brand of yoga isn't about looking amazing or showing off or even fitness. It's about health and wellbeing. (A lot of yoga classes claim to be about wellbeing, but most of it is a crock.) Power Yoga Therapy is about body healing, and even if you don't buy it now, you might want to give it a try. It seems to work.

Recently, Jesse was a guest on the Flow Yoga TV show and he's been posting short clips of his appearances online so you can get a taste of what you're in for. That said, beware. If you're just looking for a workout, this isn't your best bet. You might find it too info-heavy and boring, but I like the concept and I like Jesse, and you might too.

Photo of Jesse Enright from the Power Yoga Therapy site.

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It’s awesome that anyone with a misinformed opinion can publish their biased, half-baked thoughts for the world to see.

Yoga, like any other physical activity takes a perseverance and practice. Going once or twice and then implying that yoga is elitist or cheesy is lame.

Keep in mind that just because you feel like a freak because you’re “wearing regular old baggy sweats and don't yet know the poses” doesn’t mean anyone else in the room cares. Those in the class are too busy doing yoga to pay attention. Your hang ups are in your head… and apparently on your blog.

Posted by: goulet at January 26, 2007 12:57 PM | Quote Comment

I agree, goulet. It IS awesome. You've just taken advantage of that awesomeness yourself. :)

Posted by: Jen at January 26, 2007 1:16 PM | Quote Comment

Wow, somebody's got a chip on their shoulder.

Way to prove her point, Goulet.

Posted by: Derelicte at January 26, 2007 2:10 PM | Quote Comment

fuck. i don't care what i look like when i go to yoga. i am dressed like a bum with yesterdays make up still smeared on my face, and unshaven underarms and legs. I know what you are talking about, and i see the polished turds of lulu doing bridges and balances, but really i don't care about them. I go for me, and i do what feels good.

Posted by: vanessa griffiths at January 26, 2007 3:34 PM | Quote Comment

I'm also a huge fan of Jesse's classes. Yoga anywhere else just hasn't been the same. He got my mom addicted to yoga on her first class!

Posted by: sabrina at January 26, 2007 6:25 PM | Quote Comment

Where HAVE you been going to yoga before now? Vancouver is one of the best-supplied places I've ever lived in in terms of yoga classes - there really is something for everyone and most of the ones I've been to have not been full of the kind of stereotypes you depict.

My favourite class was at the West End Community Centre. There was a real mix of people there, some experienced and some, like me, a bit pudgy, a bit stiff and decidely lacking in trendy gear to wear. No-one made me feel bad, and I think some people's comments about the Lululemon-wearing girls are much meaner-spirited than they deserve. You don't want them to judge you and yet it's ok for you to judge them, based solely on what they wear? Not very zen, is it?

Posted by: cat at January 27, 2007 3:17 PM | Quote Comment

Mostly, my Vancouver experience has been in the Kits area. At all-purpose gyms, for the most part. Before that, in Toronto. Part of the problem, I'm sure, was that none of the places I'm complaining about were yoga-only.

I do think the negative vibe I talked about can be in one's head. But there are certain things you can't mistake - eye rolling, for example. Snickering at questions. All that fun stuff.

I used to visit the WestEnd Community Centre a lot, and found the vibe attached to all sports there to be VERY good, so I get why you like it, cat.

The Power Yoga Therapy vibe (even if you just get a taste of it from the online videos) is amazing. Everyone I know who's been in one of Jesse's classes has said the same sorts of positive things about his teaching.

Posted by: Jen at January 27, 2007 3:34 PM | Quote Comment