Comments on: Where Are All The Hard Yoga Classes? http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-are-all-the-hard-yoga-classes/ Yoga Shop Talk Wed, 09 Dec 2009 20:34:27 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Candice http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-are-all-the-hard-yoga-classes/#comment-2466 Candice Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:38:55 +0000 http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-2466 It's never a bad thing to get back to the basics. The subtleties of a good triangle pose can be lost when we are distracted by getting into more and more complicated poses. Nevertheless, it doesn't make sense that you be always stuck in a beginner class. I agree that the majority of the population is at the beginner stage, so we teach to that. Also, what I have found, is that the people in my classes who consider themselves "advanced" often have other work that is getting neglected. Like they can muscle their way through a strenuous Bikram class, but their shoulders are so tight they can't do eagle arms. (Just a personal note there, it's not a firm rule.)Also, I wonder about the liability issues. It's a sad thing that as yoga asana explodes, so do the lawsuits. It’s never a bad thing to get back to the basics. The subtleties of a good triangle pose can be lost when we are distracted by getting into more and more complicated poses. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make sense that you be always stuck in a beginner class. I agree that the majority of the population is at the beginner stage, so we teach to that. Also, what I have found, is that the people in my classes who consider themselves “advanced” often have other work that is getting neglected. Like they can muscle their way through a strenuous Bikram class, but their shoulders are so tight they can’t do eagle arms. (Just a personal note there, it’s not a firm rule.)Also, I wonder about the liability issues. It’s a sad thing that as yoga asana explodes, so do the lawsuits.

]]> By: DeAnna http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-are-all-the-hard-yoga-classes/#comment-2445 DeAnna Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:20:32 +0000 http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-2445 I agree with Andrea. While I am able to practice advanced asana myself, my studio caters to students thirsty for more meditation & the spiritual aspects of yoga. I recently commented in a gentle, restorative class that an advanced yogi to me is one who is able to calm the monkey-mind and is secure in the stillness, not one who can practice amazing arm balances or float through the air effortlessly, after all, many of these people have a background in some other physical discipline like gymnastics or dance. I had a student come to me recently after trying other, more rigorous studios in the area and said,"This yoga yout studio teaches is harder, anyone can do that other stuff" meaning Power/Vinyasa) and yet another said after an Mixed Level Eclectic Hatha Yoga class, he felt muscles worked he had never felt before (he too had been practicing Power/Vinyasa yoga). I suppose it depends on what population you wish to reach? For us, it's those who want the spiritual & meditative side, as well as detailed instruction on form in asana. With this comes students from Beginners to Advanced in Asana. What we do is teach in "stages" in all of our classes and hopefully, as we grow we can offer more advanced asana classes. for now though, I am marveling at the advancement of our students on the spiritual & meditative level. I agree with Andrea. While I am able to practice advanced asana myself, my studio caters to students thirsty for more meditation & the spiritual aspects of yoga. I recently commented in a gentle, restorative class that an advanced yogi to me is one who is able to calm the monkey-mind and is secure in the stillness, not one who can practice amazing arm balances or float through the air effortlessly, after all, many of these people have a background in some other physical discipline like gymnastics or dance. I had a student come to me recently after trying other, more rigorous studios in the area and said,”This yoga yout studio teaches is harder, anyone can do that other stuff” meaning Power/Vinyasa) and yet another said after an Mixed Level Eclectic Hatha Yoga class, he felt muscles worked he had never felt before (he too had been practicing Power/Vinyasa yoga). I suppose it depends on what population you wish to reach? For us, it’s those who want the spiritual & meditative side, as well as detailed instruction on form in asana. With this comes students from Beginners to Advanced in Asana. What we do is teach in “stages” in all of our classes and hopefully, as we grow we can offer more advanced asana classes. for now though, I am marveling at the advancement of our students on the spiritual & meditative level.

]]> By: Sarita http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-are-all-the-hard-yoga-classes/#comment-2430 Sarita Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:59:13 +0000 http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-2430 I started with flow & ashtanga, in which the teacher practiced in front & the sequences never stopped. for me it was meditative and also invigorating, similar to runner's high--i could not worry or be distracted. when i took a level one class, I found i'd just been snapping through chattarunga, etc. and,like Ravi, found holding the poses while others were taught& corrected to be more of a challenge than a vinyasa class, which, it turns out, was more of a cardioworkout than a body awareness experience or a union of breath and movement. Plus, I realized the power teacher did not correct, possibly because we were going to fast for teacher to watch, possibly because teacher was enjoying his/her own practice & modeling was the extent of the teaching( but it's hard for student to watch while student is practicing sequence. Now I have my home practice and seek classes/workshops where the teacher has already done their own practice & spends thed class time observing & challenging the students. My favorite teachers are the ones who let the beginners do their best and demonstrate postures by gently correcting the habits of the "advanced" or showing not safe/safe on their own bodies. I started with flow & ashtanga, in which the teacher practiced in front & the sequences never stopped. for me it was meditative and also invigorating, similar to runner’s high–i could not worry or be distracted. when i took a level one class, I found i’d just been snapping through chattarunga, etc. and,like Ravi, found holding the poses while others were taught& corrected to be more of a challenge than a vinyasa class, which, it turns out, was more of a cardioworkout than a body awareness experience or a union of breath and movement. Plus, I realized the power teacher did not correct, possibly because we were going to fast for teacher to watch, possibly because teacher was enjoying his/her own practice & modeling was the extent of the teaching( but it’s hard for student to watch while student is practicing sequence. Now I have my home practice and seek classes/workshops where the teacher has already done their own practice & spends thed class time observing & challenging the students. My favorite teachers are the ones who let the beginners do their best and demonstrate postures by gently correcting the habits of the “advanced” or showing not safe/safe on their own bodies.

]]> By: Andrea http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-are-all-the-hard-yoga-classes/#comment-2427 Andrea Fri, 13 Jun 2008 02:44:14 +0000 http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-2427 Since when is yoga about advance poses? I don't get this Asana craze. I know that the problem here is not enough advance classes..but why do you need to have so many? Historically these poses we practice like warrior were not even around..in fact warrior poses are sorta new. (Sorry about my typing...can't find my glasses) I feel that yoga has become to trendy. I think because we westerns are obsessed with the body. Asana's are just a speck of yoga.and were only designed to get the body comfortable for long periods of meditation. Now there is a question..Why is there not a lot of meditation classes?? Peace Since when is yoga about advance poses? I don’t get this Asana craze. I know that the problem here is not enough advance classes..but why do you need to have so many? Historically these poses we practice like warrior were not even around..in fact warrior poses are sorta new. (Sorry about my typing…can’t find my glasses) I feel that yoga has become to trendy.
I think because we westerns are obsessed with the body. Asana’s are just a speck of yoga.and were only designed to get the body comfortable for long periods of meditation. Now there is a question..Why is there not a lot of meditation classes??

Peace

]]> By: Emily http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-are-all-the-hard-yoga-classes/#comment-2417 Emily Fri, 06 Jun 2008 19:23:55 +0000 http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-2417 You are referring to "advanced" in the context of the Ashtanga System. Many people who have been practing for 20 years would not meet your criteron for "advanced." Just go to an Ashtanga studio and do a Mysore class or practice on your own. Self-practice, by the way, is a really good indicator of how advanced your practice is. You are referring to “advanced” in the context of the Ashtanga System. Many people who have been practing for 20 years would not meet your criteron for “advanced.” Just go to an Ashtanga studio and do a Mysore class or practice on your own. Self-practice, by the way, is a really good indicator of how advanced your practice is.

]]> By: Ravi http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-are-all-the-hard-yoga-classes/#comment-2411 Ravi Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:45:42 +0000 http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-2411 My studio tends to have the opposite problem. For many of the teachers (especially the studio owners classes).....even the Level 1.5 or Level 2 classes (my studio is a Baptiste Power Vinyasa Studio) are super challenging! Typically, for these classes we will go into a pose (say Warrior II), and the teachers will spend a lot of time adjusting and helping the newer students. As a result, those that go into the pose deeply and directly get quite the workout! A few 3-4 minute Warrior II's and a few 1-2 minute crows will kick anyone's but I think. I am an experienced yogi, but even then I end up modifying poses to make it through class. I don't see this as a problem at all...it is what it is. Modifications make every class accessible for everyone. BTW...are you going to the yoga journal conference in Colorado this Sept? I am probably gonna be there. Would be cool to meet you! Ravi My studio tends to have the opposite problem. For many of the teachers (especially the studio owners classes)…..even the Level 1.5 or Level 2 classes (my studio is a Baptiste Power Vinyasa Studio) are super challenging!

Typically, for these classes we will go into a pose (say Warrior II), and the teachers will spend a lot of time adjusting and helping the newer students. As a result, those that go into the pose deeply and directly get quite the workout!

A few 3-4 minute Warrior II’s and a few 1-2 minute crows will kick anyone’s but I think.

I am an experienced yogi, but even then I end up modifying poses to make it through class.

I don’t see this as a problem at all…it is what it is. Modifications make every class accessible for everyone.

BTW…are you going to the yoga journal conference in Colorado this Sept?

I am probably gonna be there. Would be cool to meet you!

Ravi

]]> By: kayla http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/2008/05/29/where-are-all-the-hard-yoga-classes/#comment-2405 kayla Fri, 30 May 2008 13:16:16 +0000 http://yogaisforlovers.wordpress.com/?p=296#comment-2405 I live in Atlanta, and I am having the same issues. I'm not necessarily super advanced, but I do like a challenging class. The ashtanga studio where I practice only has one class during the day, and having two school-aged kids makes it pretty hard for me to get to that studio at night. The studio closest to me that offers a mix of classes - mostly hot yoga, a few vinyasa, and pilates mat - has a few instructors that teach a challenging class but mostly seems to cater to new people or those who want a very gentle, restorative yoga. I was talking with a teacher at that studio a few months back, bemoaning the lack of challenging classes and a lack of ashtanga classes specifically, and he theorized that so many people beginning yoga are overweight, that teachers shy away from any practice that involves chattarungas - they are intimidating, and most people are too hip-heavy to be able to do one. Whatever the reason, it's discouraging. I attempt a home practice now and again, but I struggle with motivation - there's something about the energy in a group practice that really inspires me. I live in Atlanta, and I am having the same issues. I’m not necessarily super advanced, but I do like a challenging class. The ashtanga studio where I practice only has one class during the day, and having two school-aged kids makes it pretty hard for me to get to that studio at night. The studio closest to me that offers a mix of classes – mostly hot yoga, a few vinyasa, and pilates mat – has a few instructors that teach a challenging class but mostly seems to cater to new people or those who want a very gentle, restorative yoga.

I was talking with a teacher at that studio a few months back, bemoaning the lack of challenging classes and a lack of ashtanga classes specifically, and he theorized that so many people beginning yoga are overweight, that teachers shy away from any practice that involves chattarungas – they are intimidating, and most people are too hip-heavy to be able to do one.

Whatever the reason, it’s discouraging. I attempt a home practice now and again, but I struggle with motivation – there’s something about the energy in a group practice that really inspires me.

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