I’ve been going to many yoga classes since March. I love that I can get a physical, mental, and emotional workout in an hour, and leave feeling strong and refreshed, often having learned something new about myself, or with a new view on life.
Yoga instructors teach us through their own personal experiences, trained from different schools of yoga, different methods of delivery, different levels of structure, some classes with music, some are heated, some are advanced, etc.
I thought about what makes a yoga class a good yoga class (for me).
*What is it about the instructor that keeps me coming back for more?
My blog reading time is limited these days. I don’t have nearly as many hours in front of my laptop as I used to, but I still love reading blogs because I often learn something new, gain a different perspective, see beautiful photos, laugh, etc.
Many bloggers typically tell us something about their life, their day, their beliefs, their food choices, their latest recipes, their fitness routines, their weekend plans, their wedding plans, their relationships, their kids, their struggles and successes, etc.
They are sharing part of themselves with their readers. Each blogger has a different approach to conveying their message. Some creative, some pretty basic, some heartfelt, some matter-of-fact, some humorous, some serious, etc.
I thought about what makes a blog a good blog (for me).
*What is it about the blogger that keeps me coming back for more?
*My answer to that question can be found within this quote:
“Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.”
-Robert Bresson
Both bloggers and yoga instructors, through their own unique perspective, are sharing something, and (hopefully) teaching their readers or students in the process.
I encourage you, and me, to let ourselves be seen. Share honestly. Take lots of photos. Show your love in a genuine way. Speak your mind. Just be you.
How can you be seen? What’s one unique quality you have that you are compelled to share with others?
Love,
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
I know I say this all the time – but awesome post. I love the quote. And you’re right, it is about the uniqueness in each of us. It’s that little thing that someone else might be thinking but never said out loud, or a recipe idea, workout rotation, philosophy on life. It’s a little hard for me to reflect and figure out exactly what it is that I bring to the table sometimes though.
Thank you, Heather! I usually have an easy time spitting out what I’m trying to say, but this post was hard to articulate my thoughts. Glad it made sense.
i can’t get over that quote, it describes just vulnerability and truth, which is what captures my attention on a blog. I thought about this the other day, when we were talking and the question came about….would you read your own blog? If so, why? And it made me think about why I read certain blogs.
Great post!
Thanks, Linds! It really is eye-opening to think about there or not you’d read your own blog. I know some days are better than others, but I like to have a variety here. Keeps things interesting.
Ah, this is such an incredible post!!!! Love it.
love this post- so many good points. i think sharing the truth within you- when we are blogging, writing, teaching(yoga:), conversing with others allows for us to be seen. i always feel free and open when i can sit down with someone and share and connect with their truths while opening up my heart and sharing. it’s cathartic and quite frankly- free therapy
Yes! Free therapy, indeed. A great way to get our thoughts out of our heads and into the universe. I love those conversations with friends when I feel connected!
A-freakin’-men!! Excellent post. Just like Heather said, I feel like I’m always gushing over your posts. I love them, they always make me stop and think and undoubtedly always inspire me and always show just a little bit more of who you are, deep down. And I love that about you!!
Thank you, Jess! You are so kind to me! Glad the deep thoughts of my Bird-brain make sense to you.
Love your posts Dorry — for me, what keeps me coming back to certain blogs is getting to “know” the blogger. Even if their habits and interests are different than mine, if I feel like I’m getting to know them I tend to stick around.
I love Lindsay’s question — would you read your own blog? Yikes that really makes me think!
I totally agree! I love when I can get to know the blogger through every post. It makes the whole thing worthwhile, and I’ve made some great friends through blogging!
LOVE this post and that quote – such a great thing to strive for!
i love the connection you make with yoga and blogging – you manage to tie the two subjects together beautifully, as only you can, dorry!
i appreciate the conversation in the comments so far, too – that is a great question, “would you read your own blog?” i really enjoy the variety of personalities and styles in the blogs i read. people fascinate me in general, and i am intrigued by the different blogging styles i see out there.
it’s interesting, too, how we go thru ebbs and flows of time devoted to yoga, blogging, whatever…it’s good when we can switch things up.
Thank you, Cathy! I actually was having trouble writing this post. I couldn’t articulate my thoughts, but I’m glad it came together and was something that made sense.
I also love seeing the different blogging techniques – that’s what keeps things interesting.
I think you posted on Twitter a little bit ago about what makes you (us) read a blog, or if you’d (we’d) read a blog where the person didn’t post any pictures of themselves. Or something like that. This is the same thought path, and I love to see the vulnerability in people, their purpose behind the iota of their lives that they share on a blog, both in words and pictures. It makes me feel connected to them and wanting more. Now I have to catch myself when I’m talking with my husband about a blog – sometimes my gut reaction is to state “my friend told me today” when the truth is “on this blog I read today”. That visibility is what makes me come back for more – and I hope that’s what I’m providng too! In person, I’m pretty quiet and more of a listener. But I like blog land, and having a form of self-expression that is 100% mine and what I want it to be.
I love the vulnerability, too! That’s why I try to let myself be known to people read my blog. I figure I owe that to anyone who takes time to read, and not just that, but it helps me to be confident in myself. Love what you said about self-expression through blogging – it really is a gift to ourselves, and to our readers/blog friends.
Very well written and so-so true!
As a soon-to-be yoga teacher and lover of honesty, this hits home deeply!
During my last co-teaching, the “real” yoga teacher thanked me for the intro. of the class and noted that I was honest and real. I nearly responded, “yeah, why would I be anything else?”
Honesty can be scary to some people, but for me, it’s my breath in life. It allows me to deal with things, to make meaningful connections, to move on, to heal, to laugh, to love, to know…
Anythng else (non-honesty) takes up time from my humbly amazing life. This has been ingrained in my students and they KNOW to just TELL me the TRUTH! Ah… saving time for learning and real questions as opposed to the litany of “well.. my homework is… or was…” excuses!
Peace and Joy!
So glad you left a comment, Wendy! Congrats on your yoga teaching – that’s very exciting! As someone who is very new to yoga, but clearly loving it, I can imagine how a natural progression would be a desire to be an instructor. And my favorite yoga teachers are the ones who are 100% honest and real. I think honesty sets us free.
This is ON POINT.
I don’t care about oatmeal….but if I bl-love the blogger they an write about belly button lint and I eat it up. It is amazing when an awesome personality couples with awesome insight and that would be YOUR blog where I can learn, be uplifted and inspired so very very often.
Hmmm….you are falling in love with Yoga! Might you think about what YOU could share as a yoga teacher? I can see it.
It really is about letting your personality shine through, and being seen as your genuine self. That’s when I feel connected and want to keep reading a blog. Thanks for the kind words, Missy! Means a lot coming from you.
Completely agree with you and this and everyone’s comments. Love the ‘would you read your own blog?” great test really. Would you? For me, YES I would (and would read yours if I were you too hehe). What I love about my blog and my unique quality is the perspective I bring from my divorce and what I have learned and continue to learn three years later. It doesn’t define me but man, I keep learning and learning and learning. Sharing it and having that filter through to other areas of my life, like fitness, is huge for me.
I love that you can recognize and share the things you love about YOUR blog. I think that’s wonderful! And certainly your perspective is one that many people can relate to, but maybe not many people are out there writing openly about it – so kudos to you!
Gosh that quote is perfect! I come back to the blogs that I have a connection with, ladies I heart as much as friends i’ve known forever and a little humor and good food doesnt hurt either =) haha great post my fellow bird! mwah!
You know this post resonates with me in so many ways
I’ve been fortunate to have a yoga teaching friend whose classes are always open to me, so I still go a few times a week. But the beauty of expanding your practice is finding New teachers – new styles, challenges, poses and new perspectives.
You always offer a refreshing blend of fun photos, Billy-tales, yoga love & life.
I always struggle with where the line is drawn between honesty and some level of ‘professionalism’ on the blog – but I am always drawn to blogs who are more honest, than professional. So, I guess I just answered my own question
I often feel the same way about honesty/professionalism, but honesty usually wins out. Although I have to say there’s a WHOLE LOT that doesn’t make the blog. While I don’t just share “the happy stuff”, I share what I’m comfortable with – and things I hope others can relate to. I think you do a great job with balancing workouts, nutrition, and personal life/thoughts/goals, etc.
I choose which blogs to read purely based on the factor of entertainment. I’m not seeking knowledge, or grand insights, or great role models. Just a good recap, a funny story, or some fabulous pictures. Keeping it simple. Blogs are a pretty simple thing
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