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Vary your yoga practice for best results
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Many yoga students seem to “glom on” to one teacher, one class, one schedule. Maybe it’s familiarity; maybe it’s a connection to the teacher, or maybe it’s just that people tend to be creatures of habit.
While there is nothing wrong with consistency, chances are that one class alone will not give you all of the benefits that a varied yoga schedule will proffer. For example, a relaxation or Gentle Yoga class may help you release tension and stress. Great stuff. Another class, say an Ashtanga yoga class (this is a vigorous, flowing style of yoga that provides a great cardio and strength-training workout), may help you build fitness, tone muscles, and make you sweat. Still another class may be solely focused on flexibility. None of these types of yoga are “wrong.” They all offer separate, valid benefits, and together, they can offer you a balanced, well-rounded yoga program.
I teach Gentle Yoga with a long, deep relaxation. One of my classes is on Sunday nights, aimed at preparing students for the work week ahead (designed to eliminate those “Monday blues.”). We don’t sweat much. We do focus on back and joint health and flexibility, and, of course, relaxation. The folks who come to my class come for specific reasons . . . to RELAX.
Now, people who show up to my class looking to learn handstands, “pretzel” poses (I like to call these “cocktail party tricks,” arm balances or intense cardio will be disappointed. They don’t come back. But why come to Gentle Yoga plus Deep Relaxation if you’re looking for something else? That said, maybe there will come a time when those same students will need what I have to offer. And I will be there to give it to them. Just as an aside, yoga is my quiet sanctuary. When I want to “work out,” I go to the gym!
I always encourage my students to try a variety of classes in order to get the full benefit of yoga and to receive exactly what they may be needing at any given time—even if that changes from time to time. I also want them to experience other teachers who may have different approaches and different things to offer than I do. I hope they do. You deserve the best that yoga has to offer, and one teacher, one class, one approach . . . this just may not be enough.
So, mix it up, folks! Your body, mind and spirit will greatly appreciate it.
Enjoy!
Namaste (“The light within me bows to and honors the light within you.”),
Brianna Politzer Stevens
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Blogs: (follow my blog posts at http://twitter.com/briannapstevens)
S.F. Examiner.com blog on Yoga and Spiritual Living:
Scuba blog for women: http://scuba.girlswhogodown.com
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Yoga classes: Sunday, 5:15-6:15 p.m. and Monday 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Castro Valley Yoga (http://www.cvyoga.com)
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