This week (Oct. 8) we practiced Ashtanga yoga in class. Earlier in the week we watched the movie "Ashtanga, NY" with Pattabhi Jois teaching a seminar in the US. I got some sort of an idea of what to expect for our practice, however it is always easier said than done. Ashtanga is a very progressive practice. You start with stretching and breathing poses and then slowly move on to the primary series, only with the approval of your instructor. Between each asana you take a vinyasa and the entire series is well over two hours. Although we skipped most of the vinyasas and did not do all of the moves, it was still a very difficult practice. After attempting Ashtanga, I can understand why a person only progresses when their instructor allows them because there are some tough poses that I could never do unless I keep practicing them.
Ashtanga contorts the body in many ways and if you cannot complete one pose you will keep repeating the same series your entire life and never advance forward. I can see why many people choose to quit practicing Ashtanga because it takes a lot of patience and dedication. I am happy yoga was adapted and took poses from Ashtanga to create vinyasa flow yoga. I am thankful to have experienced an Ashtanga class but I can see that it is not something I would like to regularly practice.
In the movie we saw, the followers of Ashtanga take their practice very seriously. The atmosphere was a bit cult like and people follow Pattabhi Jois' instructions without hesitation. At the end of his seminar many people bowed down to Pattabhi Jois and kissed his feet. I can see why people have a high level of respect for him but I do not agree with bowing down to anyone and putting them on the same level as God. Yoga can be a very religious practice, but having Mentors does not mean that you should bow down to them and kiss their feet.
On another note, on Saturday October 11, I went to a Power Flow Yoga studio in Clifton NJ.
http://www.powerflownj.com/locations/Clifton
I attended a free hot yoga session open to everyone and It was a great workout. Some things I noticed were:
1. We started and ended the class off with Ohm (instead of just ending)
2. Less yoga terms used (Corpse pose instead of saying Savasana or simply saying directions instead of the name of the pose)
3. There was music, a little too loud and a bit distracting. I wish it was a calmer beat but the drums and rhythm was so fast paced and didn't match our flow
4. It felt more like a gym environment instead of a studio. At YogaNine theres more a sense of family or community and here it was complete strangers and seriousness
5. Much more commercialized, being a big corporation, than YogaNine studio
6. I loved the heated class, the room was wooden and had the proper hot class equipment
7. Very unreligious, no alter, and the class did not end with any sanskrit, just a simple english "thank you and enjoy the rest of your day"
8. Overall, different but good experience, I would practice here on a regular basis
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