advice for first class

[Guest guest]

I have Wednesday evening off next week, and am

working up to checking out a drop in class at the

Edinburgh Centre. Any advice for a first timer? I have been

doing the standing postures with a tape (from the Power

Yoga people---it's really just a recording of a

class), and when she rushes the five breaths (usually for

postures that require balance), I just keep going at my

own pace. I know the tape well enough now that I know

where I can catch up (when she gets to talking and goes

on too long, etc.). Anyway, I've been wondering what

the proper etiquette is. Do you go at your own pace

and sometimes get out of sync with the rest of the

class, or is that disrespectful to the instructor?

<br><br>Any advice would be welcome, as I'm a bit nervous.

[Guest guest]

In Finland´s ashtanga yoga school we are used to

doing the beginner´s series according to how the

teacher counts the breathings. It varies a lot between

teachers wether or not I am in sync with his/her counting,

but I usually respect him/her and the class and

either do more or less breathings than counted,

according to how I can breathe. (When I practice on my own

I count of course five or other required amount of

breathings/asana) Also, if the teachers have something to say

between asanas, it usually is useful to listen to them

and watch if the show some asanas again an stuff, and

not go on doing the next asana. But if you are having

enormous troubles with the teachers counting, it may be

useful to ask if you may do the practice at your own

pace. Anyway here in Finland that usually is okay with

the teachers! Good luck!

[Guest guest]

Is the Edinburgh Centre where Hamish Hendry

teaches (or did he move to London?). In any case, I'm

sure they still use the same method. I was taught by

him on a yoga holiday in Lesbos (but knew him from

Crete) and he is an excellent teacher: very gentle and

smiley! His class was Mysore-style (as I understand it),

in other words each person was working at their own

level. With those who had never done ashtanga before -

or were relatively new to it - he just had them do

the two sun salutations (quite a lot of repeats) and

the first few standing postures if he thought they

were ready. And then the three finishing postures and

relaxation. Absolutely nothing to worry about.<br><br>Enjoy

it!<br><br>Dave

[Guest guest]

i looked over the schedule for the yoga centre in

edinburgh (it still amazes me what you can do with this

internet sometimes.) it looks as if there is an "absolute

beginners" course lasting 45 minutes followed by a level one

beginners course, whatever that is. they both are likely

going to be led courses in which the instructor guides

you all into the postures and directs the pace of

transition. given that you have some background, i would

think you should go to the level one course but call

the place, tell them your background and have them

help you. or go to both that first day. it's really

not that big of a deal. <br><br>they seem to progress

their 'beginner' students at a glacial pace--one class

a week for 8 weeks. i would totally disagree with

that approach. i think you should be able to go as

many days a week as they have classes. it's much

easier to get it down if you get some reps. but that's

those edinburghers for you. as you have said, your

schedule may limit you anyway. <br><br>enjoy it, don't be

afraid. self consciousness really is misplaced. no one,

and i mean no one (well, except for the instructor)

will be paying you any attention. they'll all be into

their own breathing and practice. stay with the

instruction in addition to your own practice at home. as you

progress and meet the different challenges, you'll likely

find that continuing to only practice a few times a

week will leave you dissatisfied. <br><br>if you don't

yet know the words to the invocation that is commonly

chanted prior to practice, hit richard freeman's website.

you can print it out and memorize it and also dowload

an mp3 file of his class doing the invocation--gives

you an idea of pronunciation. you'll be a

star<br><a href=http://www.yogaworkshop.com/invocation.htm

target=new>http://www.yogaworkshop.com/invocation.htm</a>