Yoga Classes

Yoga classes
There are two kind of classes, two kinds of students and at least three ways to have a yoga class.

Two kinds of classes
You can have yoga classes as part of a group, or you can have yoga classes alone, that is individually.

Group classes aim general well-being. Because the group has several people with different needs, the practices cannot answer all the needs. They are not built for anyone specifically. However, if you have a homogeneous group (for example, if you are a pregnant woman in a class for pregnant women), the classes will be adapted to the common goal of the group (in the example above: pregnancy ).

Group classes are also very convenient for yoga teachers training, or for people who wish to work on the same subject.

Individual classes , or “one-to-one” classes, are “designed” for a certain person, in a certain moment in time. This means that this practice considers how the person is feeling in that day, and what the person wants to achieve in the future. But the individual lesson is more than this: it may involve discussing subjects, getting opinions or studying specific themes.

At the end of these classes the student receives a written copy of it, which he or she can discuss with the teacher, in order to be able to repeat the practice alone, at home. 

If you practice at home, you don’t need to have an individual class or two every week. You should be able to practice alone and report what you felt, or any doubts, to your teacher. However, in the beginning it may be convenient to have a class a week, for three or four weeks; later you may have a class a month.  

Individual classes are recommended for:
– People who have some kind of health condition that doesn’t make them feel comfortable (or doesn’t allow them) practicing in a group;
– People who want to practice but prefer not to be in a group, or prefer to keep their privacy;
– People who want to know more about subjects related to yoga, such as âsana, prânâyâma, etc. 

Two kinds of students – which one are you?
There are two kinds of students, who can be present in both kinds of classes:
– Those who practice during the class (and that is all);
– Those who practice during the yoga class (individually or in group)  and like to practice at home, between the classes.

Three ways to have a yoga class
If you decide to have yoga classes, these are the options:

– Go to the place where the class is given:
This is usually what happens if you go to a group class or to your one-to-one lesson. But there are other ways to have classes…

– Have the teacher come to your house:
This happens when you cannot go to the teacher’s place, due to some kind of health condition, or because you don’t have enough time, or just because you prefer to practice at home.

– Or, have the class via Skype. 
Nowadays technology provides us other ways to communicate. Skype is a very good instrument that allows you to practice at home, with a teacher who is at home too. It is comfortable for both, there is not the problem of distance and reduces the costs.

In this case, you need to:
– Have a Skype account (you can create one only for your yoga lessons, if you wish). Skype is free.
–  Have your computer placed in such a way that you can hear the voice of the teacher and the teacher can see you, while you practice. If you place your computer on a table and you are practicing about 9 or 10 feet away from the camera it should work. Some cameras are adjustable and so this distance can vary.

It is good to preview a chair by the computer, too. 

Classes via Skype can be used for:
– individual practices (âsana (postures), prânâyâma (breathing), meditation, relaxation…);
– or individual or group classes about theory.