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The Interesting Grammar of Yogis
Aug. 7th, 2015 12:37 pm“Yoga feels so good.
But I just have one question -
What’s with your grammar?”
Probably one of the most consistent on-and-of-arguments that my hubby and I get into involves grammar. I’ll be the first to admit – I do not speak or write very formally. I figure, I am neither speaking nor writing for a Harvard dissertation panel. I am far less interested in being grammatically perfect, than I am in having people actually understand what I’m talking about. (Yes, I ended my sentence with a preposition. Bite me!) My hubby, on the other hand… well… he’s his own form of communicator. But he is not the subject of today’s post. (Sorry honey!) Rather, it is about the rather unusual grammar I have noticed over the years while going to yoga classes.
I recall years ago, one of my favorite teachers would guide us through an intense class of poses and stretches and yoga flow. But her speech-pattern was so unique, and consistent, I could almost predict it after a while – particularly because for whatever reason, she often left the articles out of her sentences. What do I mean? I mean, it was nothing unusual to hear her give instructions like this:
“And when you are ready, jump to front of mat”. (as opposed to “…front of THE mat”)
“…reach down to floor.” (as opposed to “…reach down to THE floor”).
“…grab onto feet.” (as opposed to “grab onto YOUR feet.”)
As the weeks go by, and you attend more and more classes, it is somewhat impossible not to notice these speech oddities after a while. They aren’t a bad thing. They are just different. And because for that hour or so, the only voice you hear is that of your instructor, and you are really paying attention, it is impossible after a while NOT to notice this speech quirk. Also, it isn’t an English-as-a-second-language thing either, as most of my teachers are pretty darned Whitey McWhite (despite being total granola-girls-and-boys). But here’s the thing – it isn’t really unique, as it isn’t just one yoga instructor. I have been practicing yoga for well over a decade now, and I have noticed this phenomena in not just one… not even just a handful… but in a significant number of yoga instructors. And it is just… I dunno… BIZARRE! I can’t really think of too many other occupations where particular speech patterns develop based on one’s job. Do waiters all develop a lisp? Do police officers stop using prepositions? Do pilots suddenly all start taking on an Argentinian accent? No. But for some reason, a significant number of yoga instructors drop their articles, and I just don’t know why. I wonder if it is subconscious? I wonder if it is some sort of carry-over from other people’s instructions? Or is it a sign of spiritual bliss and chakra realignment?
Ultimately, it isn’t (a) big deal. It is (a) small price to pay for great exercise. I am happy to gain (the) experience of having (an) hour to myself to workout (my) muscles and get sweaty on (the) mat.
Namaste, and have (a) great day!
But I just have one question -
What’s with your grammar?”
Probably one of the most consistent on-and-of-arguments that my hubby and I get into involves grammar. I’ll be the first to admit – I do not speak or write very formally. I figure, I am neither speaking nor writing for a Harvard dissertation panel. I am far less interested in being grammatically perfect, than I am in having people actually understand what I’m talking about. (Yes, I ended my sentence with a preposition. Bite me!) My hubby, on the other hand… well… he’s his own form of communicator. But he is not the subject of today’s post. (Sorry honey!) Rather, it is about the rather unusual grammar I have noticed over the years while going to yoga classes.
I recall years ago, one of my favorite teachers would guide us through an intense class of poses and stretches and yoga flow. But her speech-pattern was so unique, and consistent, I could almost predict it after a while – particularly because for whatever reason, she often left the articles out of her sentences. What do I mean? I mean, it was nothing unusual to hear her give instructions like this:
“And when you are ready, jump to front of mat”. (as opposed to “…front of THE mat”)
“…reach down to floor.” (as opposed to “…reach down to THE floor”).
“…grab onto feet.” (as opposed to “grab onto YOUR feet.”)
As the weeks go by, and you attend more and more classes, it is somewhat impossible not to notice these speech oddities after a while. They aren’t a bad thing. They are just different. And because for that hour or so, the only voice you hear is that of your instructor, and you are really paying attention, it is impossible after a while NOT to notice this speech quirk. Also, it isn’t an English-as-a-second-language thing either, as most of my teachers are pretty darned Whitey McWhite (despite being total granola-girls-and-boys). But here’s the thing – it isn’t really unique, as it isn’t just one yoga instructor. I have been practicing yoga for well over a decade now, and I have noticed this phenomena in not just one… not even just a handful… but in a significant number of yoga instructors. And it is just… I dunno… BIZARRE! I can’t really think of too many other occupations where particular speech patterns develop based on one’s job. Do waiters all develop a lisp? Do police officers stop using prepositions? Do pilots suddenly all start taking on an Argentinian accent? No. But for some reason, a significant number of yoga instructors drop their articles, and I just don’t know why. I wonder if it is subconscious? I wonder if it is some sort of carry-over from other people’s instructions? Or is it a sign of spiritual bliss and chakra realignment?
Ultimately, it isn’t (a) big deal. It is (a) small price to pay for great exercise. I am happy to gain (the) experience of having (an) hour to myself to workout (my) muscles and get sweaty on (the) mat.
Namaste, and have (a) great day!
