12 Aug 2013 can alignment-based yoga attract the masses?
My fellow Purna Yoga student, Carl Ferrette brought the following blog post, from Yoga Spy, to my attention and I found it a very interesting read, as I, too, have wondered why alignment-based yoga just doesn’t seem to get the traction that more flow-oriented styles seem to find easily.
Yoga Spy’s observations about the conceptual learning aspect of Iyengar yoga seem on track to me. Dutifully learning actions through repeated practice, often at home after the class is over, might just not be every students’ preferred method of practice. Furthermore, such action-oriented learning might be exactly counter to the experience that some students love in flow classes of just moving and doing without getting bogged down in too many details.
And lately I’ve been wondering if alignment-based yoga isn’t more of the introvert’s yoga style… Big classes aren’t necessarily what the introvert is looking for.
What do you think?
Gloria Whetstone
Posted at 20:02h, 12 AugustI loved the Yoga class you gave at the 50th Anniversary Party for Orlo and Karen. i have never had such a good class where I felt so relaxed and had so much energy when finished. Thanks again for making me realize that there is more to Yoga than I knew about. I hope to learn more. Gloria
Letitia
Posted at 23:24h, 12 AugustGloria,
It was such a pleasure to lead that class! It was such a pleasure to meet you. What a wonderful weekend that was! I hope that you find a good class in your area. Remember to ask a prospective teacher if they hold poses or move in and out of poses quickly. You want a class where they hold the poses. And ask what kind of training the teacher has had. You want a teacher who has had at least a 9 month to a year-long training program, not just a weekend or month long training. There is more to yoga than just flow. Good luck on your journey!