looking for people that have tried ashtanga yoga

theskyrimjedi

About a mile from my place is a wellness studio and they teach ashtanga yoga. I was wondering if anyone has tried this and if so, what was the experience like. I have thought about trying it for myself, but I'd like some feedback.

allieallieoxenfree

Have you done any yoga before? If so, you're probably fine. I love ashtanga yoga, kind of depends on the studio how seriously they take it. Most places I've experienced don't do a super exact form, but rather just emphasize the vinyasas (movement from pose to pose), very "flowy." But if it's serious ashtanga there will be specific vinyasas on certain days, possibly even everyone at his/her own pace. But I feel that that's not as usual.

allieallieoxenfree

If you've never done any yoga before, I would look for a beginner's class or hatha yoga class!

theskyrimjedi

I tried it once. It was quite the workout. We held each pose for about a minute. It wasn't specific to ashtanga yoga.. I'm just looking to try something different. More like something that can off set a regular workout routine. Thanks for the heads up. Appreciate it.

allieallieoxenfree

Yeah, holding the poses for a while like that means it's a form of hatha yoga, which emphasizes precision, getting into the pose and staying there. Ashtanga yoga emphasizes moving from pose to pose, usually with your breath. It could be a little overwhelming to jump right into ashtanga yoga--if they are basically just saying, "Inhale, upward facing dog! Exhale, downward facing dog!" and you don't know how to flow from pose to pose, it could be a little difficult.

I think yoga is just the best thing ever, though, so I don't want to discourage you! I'd call up the studio and see what they recommend for beginners.

yoginimary

There's a lot of movement in Ashtanga yoga. Yes, I would check the studio's schedule and see what type of classes they offer. Like Allie said, if you can find one that says "Introduction", that's what you should try.

Sometimes Ashtanga yoga studios are heated to 90 degrees or so.

For more information, go here: http://www.ashtangayoga.info/practice/

Also, a side note regarding the term "Hatha Yoga" - all forms of the physical practice of yoga are Hatha Yoga - Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Viniyoga, Iyengar, Intergral are all a forms of Hatha Yoga. When studios or gyms mention something as "Hatha Yoga", it usually means the class/instructor does not have a specific training in one of the types (Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga, etc) of Hatha Yoga. Hope that makes sense.

theskyrimjedi

I will be contacting them on Monday. I appreciate all the background information. Thanks yoginimary and allie.

annette_15

I signed up for an Asthanga class after only having done yoga 3 times... It kicked my *kitten* hard... its one of the toughest workouts I've ever done lol. I wasnt ready. Been doing Vinyasa classes since, but I'll def give it another chance soon!