Sunday, January 18, 2009

Where do I start?

Although there are numerous aspects to Yoga, including philosophy, meditation and breathing practices it is wisest to start with the postures. (Asana's). The reason is simply that the body is the vehicle through which we live, breath, meditate and create. It's condition usually determines our capacity to achieve higher states of awareness.

Ashtanga Yoga incorporates a progression of poses (asanas) from extremely easy to extremely complex. At one end of the spectrum a practice can begin with finger movements, small foot rotations and relaxation. At the other extreme Yogis slow their heartbeat, are buried for days on end and have been known to drink their own urine (not taught at our school).

From school to school the level of demand and complexity of courses changes enormously.

At our school, Ashtanga Yoga Moves, we offer a three-level progression from introductory to general classes. We believe in the concept of building a very solid foundation and approaching Yoga practice with a long term perspective in mind. Our beginners’ courses are about understanding the fundamental principles of Yoga. We also teach breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and basic poses. We will typically take students through Salute to the Sun and a few critical poses in the early stages of the course.

Ultimately there is no substitute for a solid background and deep understanding of the basics. In the long term it will be absolutely essential to know the fundamentals, especially when students begin practising on their own. This is why we believe it is important to develop great habits from the start.

No comments:

Your Ad Here