Yoga

Roger said:How many people usually show up to the spots where you practice yoga? Is it just a random crowd that day, or is there a set group of maybe 5 or 6? I checked out Navigate (decided it was too pricey for me anyway), and it looks super organized—you have to confirm your spot so it doesn't get overcrowded and the instructor actually has time to work with everyone individually.👍

Crowd size depends on the room and your level. I do Ashtanga, but we’ve got three different classes:
1. Beginner Ashtanga
2. Ashtanga I
3. Ashtanga Mysore

The first one is always packed, maybe 20 people. The teacher explains a lot, and tons of newbies show interest and come to the first few sessions, then some take it home to practice alone while others realize yoga isn't their thing.
In Ashtanga I, it's basically the same as beginner, except the teacher stops explaining everything since everyone already knows Surya Namaskar and the sequence. Other than that, we get through more asanas because we have more time to finish the full series within those 90 minutes.
Ashtanga Mysore is where every yogi moves at their own pace without waiting on anyone else. The teacher just floats from person to person, helping you get deeper into your asanas.

Beginner gets about 20-30 people, Level I gets around 15, and for Mysore, there's usually just 5 or 6 of us in this massive studio.

silvermason16 said:we practice Satyananda Yoga—an internationally recognized system
built on tradition, yet adapted perfectly for the pace of modern life.

It incorporates Hatha, Raja, Karma, Bhakti, and more.

So you're from San Francisco...🙂
—they have Satyananda Yoga there, the only one in the US.

I practice both Ashtanga Yoga and Satyananda Yoga.

The differences are massive. Satyananda Yoga is meditative, relaxing, liberating... Ashtanga Vinyasa almost isn't even Yoga in the original sense of the word. Sure, the movements and breathing come from Yoga, but it lacks that deeper core—stillness, peace, being aware of body movement, breath, and thought, without all that physical or mental pressure.

Ashtanga Vinyasa is great for the body and getting energy up fast, but in the long run, it falls short of what Yoga actually provides... that deeper psychological impact.

silvermason16 said:we started out with basic movements just to loosen up our
ankles, knees, hips,...
next time we worked on wrists, elbows,
shoulders,....

it's actually a specific series of Satyananda Yoga called Pawanmuktasana. when you do it right, it’s meditation, pranayama, and asana all rolled into one. pretty simple, but it really clears the Prana. feels more intense if you close your eyes and sync the movement with your breath. my teacher used to say to approach the asanas with minimal effort... let the breath be what moves your body through the pose... you just observe the breathing, the thoughts, and the sensations...

No, I'm not from San Francisco 😉 , though I am nearby 🙂 , but I don't live there

Our teacher is Swami Vishwashakti Saraswati

Jimmy J., I can never quite remember how I'm supposed to be breathing:

For instance, when I perform Utthanpadasana by lifting and lowering my leg while lying down.
And after that, when do I inhale, and when do I exhale?

When I lift my right leg, then my left, and then both at once...
Am I breathing?
So, when I lower them, do I exhale? Or what?

Alright, I see you, Vishvashakti... tough girl. 🙂

So, regarding your question about Utthanpadasana—if I've got this right, it’s that leg lift where the leg stays straight.

The golden rule is pretty simple: wherever there's effort, that's your inhale. It's about energizing, directing that flow.
The exhale is for letting go. Releasing all that tension—physical, mental, even the breath itself. Exhaling just kind of happens on its own.

So, when you lift the leg, you inhale. When you lower it or let it relax, you exhale. Works the same for both legs. You were spot on. 🙂

That specific asana is actually a perfect example of it—minimal effort, movement driven by the breath. As you lift, keep the leg straight, but don't lock it up. The other leg stays flat on the floor, straight too, but loose. Try letting the movement come from your core while keeping the legs relaxed. Just let the breathing lift and lower them.

Thanks, Jimmy J.

We actually just ran through our entire repertoire yesterday:
starting with the ankle rotations, moving to wrists and neck, then hitting the
spine exercises.

I can never seem to finish the full sequence at home....🙄
I haven't quite mastered that level of discipline (yet)😁

On Monday, we’re starting a new set—honestly, I have no clue
about those 'weird'😲 names; I've only managed to memorize our Swami's name so far.😉

Hey silvermason16, how long have you been going?

Heh, it’s always like this at home. But honestly, best to grab an hour or two before breakfast...

Noah Harris50, as far as I know, there isn't much Ashtanga Vinyasa here in the States. People tend to stick more to traditional Hatha Yoga. I thought about doing something with Ashtanga here in America, but that's probably not happening anytime soon...

Roger said:Does anyone happen to know what yoga classes usually cost? I was thinking about signing up, but a friend mentioned they can be incredibly pricey—though maybe not as bad as she made it sound... if there are any yogis in here, please let me know.🙂

A friend told me today that a semester of yoga classes in Vienna goes for about $15.🙂 If you're a student, I really think we should start something similar here in the States... maybe start with students first, then expand later.
I am interested in this too..

Nothing beats a guy who actually does yoga 🙂

shadowgardener12, I’ve been doing yoga for a month now; I've attended four sessions.
The beginner course runs for three months, so there are two left.
👋