RE: ashtanga yoga Your Daily Routine

[Guest guest]

Well, I'm quite the beginner too, but the following seems to be the 'usual'

path when directed by teachers.

 

Start off learning the Sun Salutations (A & B), to get a good grounding and

build up your stamina. Then move on to the Standing Postures, adding in as

many as you can in the time available, or as much stamina as you have. After

that, go on to the seated postures, again adding them in as time/stamina

allows. As for overtraining, only you can judge. I guess it's a matter of

trial and error, adn I haven't worked it out for sure myself yet.

 

How often to train -- traditional method seems to be every day except

Saturdays and Moon Days (days of the full and new moons), as taught by

Guruji in Mysore. For beginners such as we I'd say as often as possible

wihtout overtraining, buildign up to the above. Don't stress yourself if you

miss a few (easier said than done, I get really annoyed when I skip a

planned practice, which is futile), the fact you;re doing it at all counts

for a lot.

 

As important (possibly more) than frequency is intensity of practice. I find

it difficult to enthuse and push the tight muscles thta little bit further

at 6am, but like to 'con' myself by promising a light practice on those days

I don't have the same enthusiasm for masochism by sneaking up on them.

 

I was in the same predicament as you re Ashtanga classes, since in Scotland

Edinburgh seems to be the centre of the universe. I started with a weekend

intensive course which took me through the standing postures, then went on a

second course that guided through to Navasana. However, after that course I

am making the effort to travel there once a week after experiencing the

difference between my own 'self practice' and the 'right' way to do the

asanas. Books and videos are great, but you pick up so much from a teacher

it cannot be stressed enough.

 

You could practice for a year on oyur own then go to a class and find out

you've been doing every posture incorrectly (in a material way), and what

use all that mindful practice? If you cannot make classes on a regular basis

see if your nearest Ashtanga studio does intensive courses, they are worth

it. In the end though, if you can't make classes, oyu can'y make classes and

I'm sure you'll work through it.

 

Good luck with the practice,

 

Scott

 

 

 

yogabud [no_reply]

11 May 2002 08:08

ashtanga yoga

ashtanga yoga Your Daily Routine

 

 

Hi i am just trying to work out how often, what exercises to do ect

without overtraining myself. I am reasonably new to yoga and have

been going via a Book. ( right now I cannot make it to an ashtanga

class ) Do you train every day ? are there days you take off?