I am currently trying to (re)commit to yoga. I think I need it, both for my body and for my mind, and there is a very nice studio very close to my house. So, on Saturday, I took a beginner's Hatha class, which was good, not too stressful, and included a minimum of balancing postures, which I appreciated. Then, last night, I went again, with the intention of trying a beginner's Kundalini class. But I made a scheduling mistake and ending up in a beginner's Ashtanga class instead.
Briefly, Ashtanga uses the same postures as regular Hatha (the ones with which you're probably familiar, even if you don't do yoga), but always in the same sequence, without stopping, and with a focus on a specific style of breathing and "locks," or muscle contractions, in specific areas of the body (most notably, the perenium), to generate internal heat. It's not the one where the room is heated--that's Birkram--but the room isn't at all chilly and gets very warm before the session is done.
It was hard, y'all. No lie. I am in lousy shape, and it was difficult. Just the first sequence of sun salutations had me red-faced with horrible cramps in my feet, and I woke up to unseasonable cold this morning feeling like I'd pulled every muscle between my knees and my neck. But it's good, I think. I felt great when I was finished, and almost immediately starting looking for the next class I could schedule. I'd love to be able to stick with for long enough to improve, to see and feel change. No promises, but I am certainly going to try.
Comments (2)
Right on. I have recently made a recommitment to yoga too, although I'll be doing it at home for financial and time related reasons. Tenacious Snail recommended Ashtanga yoga to me as an alternative to Bikram's yoga (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE, but is not available in my town, and is too time consuming for me) It's good to hear another review of the style.
I prefer yoga that kicks your butt hard, because its easier for me to forget about other things and enter a sort of meditative state for awhile. Plus it feels so amazing. I used to SUFFER through my bikram classes, but then for some strange reason, would feel excited to go back!
Good luck with it. I'll think of you when I don't feel like doing my yoga, and maybe you'll inspire me to stick it out. :)
Posted by Jess | February 27, 2008 1:34 PM
I love seeing improvements when I do yoga regularly. I can't make it to classes because of schedules and being cheap, but I love toing videos and recently discovered yogadownload.com.
I like that improvements for me have not just been being able to hold a pose longer or stretch further, but also feeling the energy flowing through my body more. I hope that makes sense!
Posted by beapea | February 28, 2008 12:14 PM