Yoga class lesson

[clevermanka]

Last night redheadfae took me as her guest to a yoga class at her gym. One thing I've learned about taking a yoga class--I never leave without having learned something!

Last night I learned a great flow, the details of which are a little fuzzy, but I can recreate something similar. Something like (I am going to use English instead of Sanskrit here because I am lazy at the moment) Down dog to Low Lunge to Triangle to Warrior 1 to Warrior 3 to Half-Moon. It was tough! I was sweating! I couldn't even wobble into Warrior 3. My balance was off and my glutes were just not having it after a serious roll-out session the night before. I'll definitely incorporate it into a future home session, though.

The other thing I learned is that I've been spoiled for good yoga teachers. Even at Yoga Studio of Lawrence, where I didn't like their general methods, I didn't think they were bad teachers. They just didn't teach in ways that communicated to me.

The instructor for this class was nice, friendly, and supportive, but she gave no individual instruction. I might as well have been following a yoga DVD. She didn't use any Sanskrit names for things which, okay, lots of people don't, but there are some accepted English names for things and she didn't use them, either, or used them inconsistently. The things I had particular issues with were she referred to Sun Salutation simply as "flow," which...there's a lot of flows, out there, lady, give this one its proper name and then (because we went through Sun Salutation a lot), she repeatedly had the chance to at least say the English name of Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend), but chose instead to frequently use the term "Bottoms Up."

I'm all for having fun in yoga, and I remember dissolving into giggle fits with the other students during many of Gopi's sessions. But "bottom's up?" as anything other than (maybe) a one-off joke? Hmm. She mentioned the importance of breath at the beginning of the session, but there was no instruction on good breath practice and only once or twice did she remind people to breathe (during particularly difficult poses).

This was my first yoga class in a gym environment instead of a dedicated yoga studio, and I understand more completely now the complaints of modern American yoga practice. This wasn't yoga. This was stretching in yoga poses.



There was an Indian woman there who, when we chatted a bit after class, asked me "this was a good class, yes?" and I so much wanted to say "not really, no," but I have some diplomacy. I did my best to convey to her that she really should check out Westside Yoga studio by emphasizing that they are much more focused on the spiritual aspects of yoga and that they even host Kirtan sessions (she says she's been chanting since she was six).

redheadfae offered to host me so we can check out some of the other teachers and classes on different nights, which I'm definitely up for. If nothing else, I'm interested to see if the other teachers are similarly disengaged from personal instruction with the students and/or have no focus on teaching yoga tradition. I really hope they're not.

Disappointing/Unsurprising Moment of Today: I started my period this morning, which means for April, it should arrive just as I'm checking into the 221B Con hotel.

Comments

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

I've never had a yoga class at a studio (always been a gym) which I think is why "yoga" leaves me cold. And I always hurt my wrists/ankles because no one will help me to fix whatever it is I am doing wrong. Not enough incentive for me to go to a studio though, so I remind myself not to whine about a choice I made.

Sorry about the period. I rolled through my placebo pills so I wouldn't have mine this weekend during my bout.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Of all the decisions I've made in my life, I count my choice to drive to fucking Baldwin for my very first yoga class as one of the best. I can't believe my good fortune, chancing on Gopi as my first yoga teacher. I wish I could gift everyone with that.

[kazoogrrl.livejournal.com]

I know some gyms want their teachers to use certain terms or try to keep any spiritual stuff out if the yoga classes, but this sounds like a teacher that is not that great. My first yoga class was run by a lady who is also a local NPR station host, so good teacher plus personal attention plus lovely talking and occasional singing voice. Bonus, bonus, bonus.

Hey, at least you'll be in a hotel? I'm afraid the red tide will hit while I'm festival camping/performing in May. Portapotties, 25 yard tiered skirt, and my period, a recipe for disaster.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Ugh. I can't imagine bleeding while camping. Well, I can imagine it. I'd rather not. Hell, I don't even like to imagine camping.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

Ugh, of course your period would show up now, and then show up just in time for the con. -.- Highly freaking inconvenient!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Sometimes it shows up early, so there's a chance I won't be bleeding my heaviest while I'm traveling.

[1-rhiannon-1.livejournal.com]

I've got EVERYTHING crossed for you!

No arguments here

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I am with you on some of the terms she used, for example, I have no idea why she called that hip roll as "the windshield (wipers?)" That did NOT belong in a practice based on ancient terms and nature/spirituality, IMO.

I hadn't heard her use the "bottoms up" before, I wonder if she just was trying to be funny since she mentioned it was an allusion to it being St Patrick's Day?

I do agree with you on the lack of direction.. and I'm wondering why it's hard to find really good teachers, too. Is it the same thing that plagues bellydance.. the "nine week wonder" syndrome, where we get teachers who can't do a walking shimmy trying to present the "just let it all hang out!" *cough* technique?

Re: No arguments here

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I think we have a lot of good teachers here in Lawrence, but I've only ever gone to actual yoga studios. I liked every teacher I tried at Westside Yoga, and even at Yoga Center of Lawrence the teachers were fine. I just didn't like the general attitude/mood/climate of that place.

This was my first time taking yoga at a gym. Perhaps gyms don't always require certification?

Re: No arguments here

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

You know, it's the first time I've taken one at a gym (unless Parks and Rec counts) as well; that's an excellent question, and one I think I will call up and ask them.

[write-out.livejournal.com]

Oh hell. I hope your next period comes early.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

You and me both. Especially after the hellish night I just spent with the worst cramps of my life.

[pointoforigin.livejournal.com]

That's my experience with gym yoga, too. I guess it's possible that there's a yoga class that happens in a gym and is good, but the several times I've tried, I didn't find one.

Oh ugh, period while traveling! That is something I definitely don't miss.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Interesting that you've had similar gym yoga experiences. I'm betting this is just A Thing and that makes me sad.

[pamelonian.livejournal.com]

I love Westside! Though Amie is the only teacher there I have had the good fortune to experience. I have been wanting to try Body Boutique's yoga classes, but have lacked the motivation. Our aikido instructor sometimes has us do some of his "Power Yoga" and I hate it. It would be better in some kind of flow, but just cold and out of context? Yuck!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

The whole idea of Power Yoga needs to die in a fire.