Blog 4: Project Reflection and Working EQ

Pentagon:

1) Positive statement: What positive thing happened as a result of what you have completed so far?

I have acquired greater knowledge of yoga and my health has been improved to a certain extent. I am more aware of my posture, of my thought, and of my actions. Due to my greater awareness, I am able to think more clearly and fix situations better than I would have been able to in the past prior to completing my tasks up until now.

2) EQ Content: Pick a piece of research or your interview. How has it improved your understanding of the topic?

When Alex described to me his take on yoga and what it means to him it helped me understand that yoga does not just have one layer, it has several layers of depth. Alex described to me how yoga is more than just "flexibility", it is about "mental stamina", "focus", "patience", and "humility". Alex's words helped me understand just how multi-dimensional yoga is. It helped me realize and understand that you just cannot slap one label on yoga because to define yoga in one words would not necessarily do it justice. The best way to describe it in one word would be that yoga is a lifestyle, but to classify it as a lifestyle would still be vague for a person would want to know how that lifestyle is. To put it in short Alex helped me understand that yoga is similar to an onion. They both can be discomforting at times, they both can make you cry, they both are healthy in life, and they both have layers.

3) What has worked so far for you in the senior project?

The research checks so far have worked out for me. The time spent reading research has helped improve my knowledge of yoga. Ultimately my service learning of taking classes has worked out for me the best since it has given me the best results. From practicing yoga I have improved my posture and my daily attitude and perspective towards life.

4) What hasn't worked so far?

I am still looking for a mentor so I suppose that hasn't worked for me. I'm still looking for a yoga instructor I can connect to and is willing to take the time to mentor me. These are the only regards in which the senior project has not worked for me so far.

5) Finding Value: Based on your experiences so far,

• What possible question or questions come to mind regarding what you would like to study this year?

Questions that come to mind are the following:
- What's the most intense inversion a person can do in yoga?
-  Is it normal for a guy to eventually be able to do the splits in yoga?
-  Does yoga play a role or influence in a person's diet?

• What is your end goal this year with your senior project?

My end goal is to ultimately be more healthy. I want to be more fit, more flexible, and more at peace with everything.

• Who would you like to talk to next? Why?

I would like to talk to my yoga instructor Annie next because she is really nice and I like her style of teaching. She surrounds her class with mellow, relaxing music, and really helps her students with their asanas (poses). I would also like to talk to her because Alex recommended her to me, so I would like to honor his recommendation by talking to her.