Personal Practice and Class Practice

It’s been nearly 5 years since I started Ashtanga yoga, and for most of that time I have had a personal practice at home. It’s been interesting seeing the progress one makes in yoga over the years, and during that time it has become increasingly obvious that both a personal practice and yoga classes are essential. Lets not confuse personal practice with one on one coaching. For the purpose of this article I will treat one on one coaching and the class room as the same, clearly in reality you will gain more in a shorter period of time with one on one coaching. What have I found to be some of the differences?

The teacher will introduce you to the basics, help you progress and show you where your doing something inappropriate, and as you progress they will show you new aspects to practice. Also, a teacher is some one you can discuss yoga related topics with, physically performing Asana is one thing, but there is allot going on, and so discussion can be a big help. This helps the practice stay fresh and you moving along the path.

The personal practice is where you teach yourself and progress on the path. You need more regular Asana sessions than once a week, and even if you had a class everyday, you would be missing allot if you didn’t do a practice solo a few times a week. The personal practice you do at home helps you to be better in class, and as you do better in class you are helped in your personal practice. The two combine to form a positive feedback loop that nurture each other.

When practicing at home on your own, you are afforded a unique opportunity to be the teacher and the student at the same time. In class you are led through, guided, and advised at various times, whereas, at home you have only your self. You need to be motivated enough to get to your mat. You have to direct your practice and understand it for your self, this may sound tricky, but, at home you have no distractions like that of the teacher and other students. When you practice solo you can become more absorbed into your practice, and thats good because it is in the absorption and self guidance that real yoga is experienced. In class you can never get to the essence of yoga, at home, bit by bit, you increase the depth and realism of the yoga experience. Class and teachers are like school, personal practice is like the real world. It is good to learn from people, but, it’s ones personal experience through self directed action that allows you to grow and heal through the practice of yoga.

Going to class and not practicing on your own, well you will make some progress and benfit a little maybe. Practicing at home on your own is like being an adventurer. Would you rather go to a history class, without ever having explored it for yourself? Personally, I wouldn’t. The history class is good, go and learn, but don’t miss out on the adventure, experience, healing and growth that self practice bestows on the ardent adventurer.

Copyright © Russell Smithers 2008