Yoga is not just an art- it is a way of life. And with time, it has become quite popular in the west as well. However, despite its ever-growing popularity, people still have some preconceived notions about it. And to debunk some myths about Yoga, Curly Tales Dubai got candid with Nancy Zabaneh- a renowned Arab Wellness Expert who is teaching and practising yoga in Dubai for over a decade now.
Nancy, born and raised in Toronto, Canada, to Palestinian parents, was inspired by the teachings of Kundalini yoga. And with time, she became a regular practitioner. And soon, she decided to undergo training and enhanced her self awareness as well. Her process of experiencing the state of calm via yoga propelled her to start teaching. However, things weren’t smooth when she began teaching.
Family And Society’s Reaction & Misconceptions About Yoga
Speaking about her family’s reaction, she said: “My family knew I was training to become a teacher, but they found all this strange. It wasn’t easy for them to believe this since they knew nothing about this until recently.”
While her parents were unknown about the concept of being a Yoga teacher, people too had their set of misconceptions about Yoga. And Nancy believes that people still have a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to Yoga.
She said: “People still have a lot of misconceptions about it. It is meant to promote the unison of body, mind and spirit. Meditation is a process of training and also cleansing the mind. The physical practice and asana is meant to prepare us to go into stillness. It is not just about weight loss or mental peace.”
The Purpose Of Yoga
Dubai was relatively new to yoga, 10-years ago, and now we have practitioners from many schools; much has changed in a decade. It has become a part of the trend culture, and right from hot yoga to underwater yoga- we have everything in Dubai now. Yoga is a way of life for many, and on this, Nancy said,
“‘While yoga helps us tone, sculpt and shape our body, it paves the way for us to live in dharma. It is a holistic and integral science of life. Furthermore, it helps us remove the obstacles that obscure who we are while supporting us into a fuller expression of our true nature. We are not transforming into something we aspire to we are transforming into the very thing that we are innately: our best Self.”
Yoga And Gender Misconceptions
Yoga is gender-fluid- however, people still think it has more to do with women than men. And shattering this stereotype, Nancy said,
“It is a common misperception that it is designed primarily for young women or for those who are already flexible, athletic, or spiritual. However, yoga, is more about becoming attuned to our self, body and mind — and making room for exactly where we are.”
The Concept Of Kundalini Yoga
Nancy is changing people’s mindset about Yoga- however, the school that she practices is an ancient technology that has recently gained more ground in the West. Nancy practices Kundalini Yoga, and explaining more about this concept, she said,
“Kundalini Yoga is a sequence-based practice where no two classes are ever alike, mirroring the unpredictability of life and catapulting us out of our comfort zones. These sequential movements help practitioners manage stress by challenging and extending endurance. I practice Kundalini because I see the benefits of greater mental, emotional and spiritual flexibility.”
Yoga has helped Nancy attain a steady discipline to progress ahead in life. It has given her the ability to rise above mediocrity and go beyond the drama in the way of her grace. Vatika and Curly Tales Dubai are so proud of Nancy for who she is. We hope that many women like Nancy come forward and give wings to their dreams.