Whether there are two, ten, or twenty people in a yoga classroom it is important to remember that all of those bodies are capable of different things. Anatomy, flexibility, strength, stamina, focus, etc. all play in to the way our bodies move. And just as there are different types of bodies, there are different types of yoga classes, some yoga classes move faster (ashantaga or vinyasa), some are really hot (bikram), some really stretch you out (yin), and some just go with the flow – of your breath that is (hatha).
Occasionally you might find a class specializing in a particular skill set like arm balances or inversions, but then again you might just see “yoga” or some variation of, and wonder what you should expect.
Well, when you walk into a general yoga class, which will be any yoga class that does not specifically say you need experience to participate, you can expect a very standard format: connect with the breath, learn to move with the breath, practice moving through different postures with the breath, savasana or final relaxation.
There are eighty-seven yoga poses, but endless variations of ways that these poses can be performed and grouped together. With only sixty minutes to work with (ten of those commonly being used for relaxation), it can be a challenge to get everyone, from every different level on the same page, moving comfortably, and feeling relaxed; this is not an excuse to slack as a teacher, if anything, it is a reason to be more focused; to stay on top of how each person is moving and using his or her body. A focused yogi (yoga practitioner) will learn that yoga teaches us a lot about how we connect with our bodies and how we move. A focused yoga instructor can learn how each of this or her own students feel comfortable moving in their own body.
The beautiful thing about yoga is that there is always room for improvement; even a practiced yogi can strive for better alignment, or a more accurate flow of movement with breath. If you happen to find yourself in a classroom where you do not feel that you are being challenged, I urge you to challenge yourself; that can be as simple as picking a goal in the beginning of class: I am going to practice with my eyes closed, or it could mean pushing yourself a little bit further in a pose (try bringing your hand from the floor to your chest while in half moon – transforming it into poet's pose). No yoga instructor will ever fault you for going a step further, or individualizing your own practice. We are there to guide you toward relaxation, not teach you how to be a clone.
I love going to a yoga class with people off all different levels, there is a freedom in these classes, particularly if you know the poses well; you can practice and perfect; try new things; sink deeper; hold longer, push further. Notice the roll of the spinal column from cow to cat; feel the length create as you inhale up; really move with your breath; add an extra vinyasa flow in if that is where you are at today. Individualize a group lead practice, do what feels right for you body, challenge yourself, if you feel like, and if you don't, maybe just go with the flow, and challenge yourself next time, because now you know that it is okay.
peace- Dana