I’m a breath snob.
If I try to talk authoritatively about yoga I’m always cognizant of the real pros who know what they are talking about. “Me, I’m just a lawnmower, you can tell me by the way I walk”(1).
I have eight years of practicing behind me, a little assisting, and the wisdom of many years gone past. Most if not all of my teachers had a least twenty years of practice, teaching, and or both. I’m just a rookie in this yoga journey and I continue to learn.
A regular happening at most Ashtanga studios are led classes. They are either weekly, twice monthly, or a monthly occurrence. There maybe other variations but most Ashtanga studios offer led practice.
Led classes are counted in Sanskrit as you move from asana to asana. It’s a non stop counted, timed if you will, passage through the predetermined sequenced asanas. There is movement and breath between each asana called vinyasa’s. Most asanas are held for five breaths which for some perplexing reason are counted in English. There is no time to slow down or fidget between asanas its just bing bing bing we’re done. It is rigorous and can be quite a workout.
My first experience with led classes was about a year after I first started learning Ashtanga. My teacher said I should give it a try and so I did. It was definitely difficult ‘cause there are no spots to rest and my endurance was an issue. But over time I was able to build up stamina and even though I have not done it for a while it was a vigorous but doable practice for me.
Over time though as I became more swayed by how my regular practice became more and more about the breath. It caused me to look at it differently. My breath became slower, deeper, and more purposeful. It represents why I like practice so much. Led class takes that away. I have to breathe to someone else’s rhythm and for the longest time I resented this and I began to dislike led practice but I’m beginning to understand it’s purpose or at least reconcile with it.
At Tim Miller’s shala I attended his led class and it’s different for a few reasons. He added an asana midway through (which asana – hint: his logo(2)). He participates in and leads the class, and he does not count the breaths. And it struck me the other day that this is genius.
I’m not sure why he does not count the breaths; could be just as simple as he is participating in and leading the class at the same time. Counting out loud would be difficult. I forgot to ask him about why. It also could be that it’s because we all breathe differently and his five breaths are not the same as my five.
Usually at led class a teacher would count and therefore time the breaths. Mr. Miller did not do this and when we arrived at an asana we’d breathe and then after a bit he’d say five and we would all move to the next asana. We’d have to determine our own breaths which is where I think is the genius part. Some of us could possibly breathe six times and some of us could breathe four times. I’m not sure why he did it.
Part of the reason for led class is to learn how you should be breathing, and breathing in unison can also be an enjoyable experience. But it bothered me because over time my breathing took longer than the count. And as I’ve stated I’ve reconciled and I understand why – I think.
Be safe
(1) I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) – Genesis
(2) Hanumanasana