The Beginner’s Asana Practice Course comprises of two parts: 1) Teaching Classes, and 2) Practice Sessions as part of the Regular Teaching Practice classes. The course is structured as:
Teaching Classes: A new practitioner is introduced to the five basic tenets of yoga: proper postures (asana), proper breathing (pranayama), proper relaxation (for assimilating the benefits), proper diet, and mindfulness. The focus of the course is primarily on the practical aspects of asana, pranayama, and relaxation. Diet and mindfulness, for a practitioner follows on a personal pace and as an outcome. These concepts are introduced in theory, and spoken about in the safe space of the community, as per everyone’s comfort.
Practice Sessions as part of the Regular Asana Practice classes: New practitioners are invited into the Regular Asana Practice sessions. This helps them:
Learn how a daily yoga practice (guided or otherwise) would happen, and how the as pranayama and asana fit and flow together.
Helps develop their a regular practice, constantly improving and advancing.
Learn from experienced and new practitioners alike: in terms of asana practice (each of us excels at different asanas).
Feeling comfortable and confident in one’s own practice and pace of advancing.
Detailed instructions and demonstrations: The proper alignment of each pose, is broken down into step-by-step and simple instructions for both body and breath.
Easier variations and simpler ways of getting into asanas: All postures have easier variations and simpler ways of getting into them, which can be built on daily to perfection over a period of time. These variations are taught so that proper alignment is maintained, and all benefits are reaped, as we improve the actual posture over time. It is important to note that it is commitment to the alignment that brings in the benefits.
The classes are taken at a comfortable pace that suits everyone in the class. The Beginner Asana Practice course is structured in a way that each asana is given focus throughout the practice, while still helping the practitioners fine tune the techniques and alignments. This ensures that missing a day does not impede one’s learning. So, for example, on day #4, a practitioner is taught bhujangasana (the cobra). On day #4, it will be taught with demonstration and instructions by me. Let’s say a practitioner misses day 4, and rejoins the course on day 5. On day 5, after a short demonstration and detailed instructions, I will then help correct any misalignments for individual practitioners. As your turn comes up, you’ll be given the detailed instruction from day 4. Since the size of the class is limited to eight people per batch, individualized attention is possible and worked into course structure.
None of us can do all the postures. This is because all of us differ on the builds of our body, our inherent flexibility, our ailments, fears and blocks. That being said, it is important to do as much of the posture, with correct alignment, as one can while still being able to breathe correctly. Easy variants of each posture is taught so that all of us can work towards that correct alignment at our own pace. Yoga is a personal practice, and you only have to show up on the mat as much as you can, to better your own yesterday.
It is recommended that you eat a moderate meal not later than three hours before the start of the class. Coffee, tea, other strong beverages should not ideally be consumed not later than two hour before the start of the class. If you need to, please sip (small sips) water during the class, but this dies down as you further the practice. Wear comfortable clothes you can easily move in, ideally cotton so it helps you not slip. Use a mat with a good grip so that you don’t slip on the mat, and the mat doesn’t slip on the floor.
Is there a question you don’t see, but have? Email at om@omrudrani.com and I’ll reply soon.