Anyone Ever Been To A Yoga Journal Conference?

[HejazSunKat]

I've dabbled in Yoga on and off for years. I'd take classes regularly then a move would happen or life circumstances change and my practice would fall by the wayside again so that I've never gotten out of the advanced beginner stage. I'd really like to change that and have been taking class with a Kripalu teacher regularly for the past year. I got an email for a Yoga Journal conference that's coming to Boston in April and have been wondering if it's worth signing up for. I thought it would be a good way to 'sample' different types of yoga to see what I might like to pursue but I'm concerned that it's going to be super-crowded and therefore not enjoyable or worthwhile. I asked my teacher about them but she has not attended any, spending her continuing ed $$ at Kripalu training centers. Anyone ever been to one of these? I'd be interested in hearing about your experiences.

TIA

[Angelina]

Hi Linda,

I have never been to one either, but I have my private yoga class tonight (the last one of the package I bought...wahhhhhh!) and I can ask my wonderful teacher.

This is her! (http://www.omyoga.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89:christie-clark&catid=59&Itemid=197) She is amazing. :)

Do you take private classes with your teacher or group? I am a bit intimidated by group classes, but I guess I have to bite the bullet and start doing them, since private are so much more expensive.

Angela

[tholbrook]

I haven't been myself, but know of several people who have attended. According to them, it is crowded, but it really contributes to the energy of the room, rather than just being annoying. Of course, classes taught by the "big name" yoga teachers (Richard Freeman, Rodney Yee, David Swenson, Shiva Rea, etc) will probably be filled to maximum capacity. Personally, I would avoid those classes unless I had some particular attachment to taking a class from them ...

I looked at the class offerings, and I will say that it would be really easy to exhaust yourself early in the day/weekend by taking a really physically demanding class (with Ana Forrest, for example - in a heated room!) in one of the first sessions. For myself, I wouldn't have anything left for the rest of the classes. But it looks like a wonderful lineup of classes and teachers ... I think it would be an amazing weekend.

Have a great time if you go - and I'd love to hear about your experience! :)

[Lisette]

This sounds really intriguing. I started yoga recently and can't believe I waited so long. I really love it.

If you go to the conference, please report back. I'm particularly interested in your opinion as an advanced beginner.

[HejazSunKat]

I have never been to one either, but I have my private yoga class tonight (the last one of the package I bought...wahhhhhh!) and I can ask my wonderful teacher.

This is her! (http://www.omyoga.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89:christie-clark&catid=59&Itemid=197) She is amazing. :)

Do you take private classes with your teacher or group? I am a bit intimidated by group classes, but I guess I have to bite the bullet and start doing them, since private are so much more expensive.



Angela - I'm taking group classes with an independent teacher (not associated with a studio). I found her when she was offering a course at one of the local hospitals though she has since left there and I tracked her down at a different venue. I'm curious why you feel intimidated? As long as you took a class appropriate for your level wouldn't everyone else there be about as proficient as you (or not! :) ) so there shouldn't be any pressure to keep up? Your teacher does sound wonderful and the studio, what I can see of it in the pictures on the site, looks very inviting. If you think of it I would appreciate her opinion of the conferences.

One of the reasons I am hesitant about signing up for this is that I'm hearing impaired and I really need to be close to the front of the room in order to hear the teacher's instructions so if it IS really crowded and I couldn't stake out a good spot I might find it too frustrating to enjoy. I think I'd probably do it if I had someone to go with so we could share the experience and the embarrassment if we were totally out of our league!

tholbrook (I'm sorry, I don't know your name) that's a very good point about not exhausting yourself on a strenuous class early on - especially since you have to buy passes for a full day, not individual classes. If I got a really good night's sleep I could probably take 2, well spaced, moderate level classes in between which I'd need to go have lunch, take a meditation class or go shopping. :) I had the same thought about the big name teachers and would probably steer clear until I had more experience to understand what they're doing and talking about.

I'm leaning against going this year. I think my time and money at this point would be better spent on finding a good studio in my area so that I could build my practice beyond once a week, get more experience under my belt and sample the different styles in a more leisurely way. If I do this then maybe next year I'd feel ready to tackle this and maybe have met some people to go with.

Thank you all for your input!

[Angelina]

Here is my teacher's verdict....go if you would like to experience different types of yoga, with many different teachers. Sort of like a sampler, without feeling you have to complete each class you take. Even though, if you have a hearing problem, you probably would feel funny walking out in the middle of class in front of everybody. Well, I would. ;)

Group classes intimidate me because even the Basic level ones are usually full of advanced level people who will take anything available just to squeeze some yoga into their day. I am also afraid of not having the teacher's full attention to check my alignment...I have arthritis in my neck which sometimes causes pain in my shoulders and arms. :( I don't want to hurt myself!

And my teacher also treats me like a queen at the end of the class, draping blankets on me, putting a pillow here, a pillow there...who is going to do that for me in a group class? :cool: me?? :eek:

[HejazSunKat]

Here is my teacher's verdict....go if you would like to experience different types of yoga, with many different teachers. Sort of like a sampler, without feeling you have to complete each class you take. Even though, if you have a hearing problem, you probably would feel funny walking out in the middle of class in front of everybody. Well, I would. ;)

I would too! Instead of doing the walk of shame I'd muddle through it as best I could, sneaking looks out of my peripheral vision at everyone else to figure out what we were supposed to be doing. Very zen and relaxing. :rolleyes: Thank you very much for asking her opinion about this for me.



Group classes intimidate me because even the Basic level ones are usually full of advanced level people who will take anything available just to squeeze some yoga into their day. I am also afraid of not having the teacher's full attention to check my alignment...I have arthritis in my neck which sometimes causes pain in my shoulders and arms. :( I don't want to hurt myself!

I see your concerns and have several reactions to that. I think if I found a bunch of advanced level people slumming in my beginner's class I'd privately take an attitude about it. :) I'd wonder what they're getting out of it when they could easily practice the more advanced postures they're capable of at home. A beginner's class is for beginners so if I'm there I belong there. It's not like you're over estimating your skills and taking a class at their level. The advanced people were beginners once too so there should be respect for that. I wonder if it would help to talk to your teacher about your concerns that there are so many advanced people in the beginner levels that you feel intimidated to take them (not like she'd go on a crusade to change that but maybe she'd have some insights that could help you feel comfortable) and also that you're concerned about doing the postures properly so as not to aggravate your existing condition. In my class the teacher does walk around during class to check each student's alignment while we're holding the pose but there are only about 8 or 10 of us in the class. I don't know how big the classes are in your studio and if it's feasible there for the teacher to walk around and check each student (while everyone's in the pose thinking "Arrrgh! My Arms Are On Fire! Get Me Out Of This!" :D ). She also asks everyone to make her aware of any physical conditions we may currently have that she should know about. When you do finally take a class I'd talk to that teacher ahead of time to tell her about your neck issue so she knows to keep an eye on you.

And my teacher also treats me like a queen at the end of the class, draping blankets on me, putting a pillow here, a pillow there...who is going to do that for me in a group class? :cool: me?? :eek:

Well no wonder! Lucky you! You've been spoiled! I thought I was living large with stinkin' lavender eye pillow. ;) :D

[ellery]

Chiming in late to say that I think your plan of finding a good studio to try out is a good one. Most studios have weekend workshops from time to time as well, that would give you a nice opportunity to be exposed to something/someone different, but wouldn't wear you out like the conference probably would. If you look at the different studios' websites, they usually post about upcoming workshops and you don't have to be a member or affiliated with the studio to try a workshop. Those are usually master classes and not too long (2 hours or so).

A friend of mine went to a Baron Baptiste weekend workshop and raved about it - I think he's in Boston somewhere.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your yoga practice. Yoga is awesome. :)

[tholbrook]

Chiming in late to say that I think your plan of finding a good studio to try out is a good one. Most studios have weekend workshops from time to time as well, that would give you a nice opportunity to be exposed to something/someone different, but wouldn't wear you out like the conference probably would. If you look at the different studios' websites, they usually post about upcoming workshops and you don't have to be a member or affiliated with the studio to try a workshop. Those are usually master classes and not too long (2 hours or so).
Workshops: I think this is an excellent idea. Most of the workshops I have been to have really been a wonderful experience, and I agree that it would be a nice way to try something different without over-committing yourself to an entire weekend of very intense yoga practice.

Master classes are also great BUT depending on the popularity of the teacher (and the studio policy), they can be VERY crowded. I did a weekend workshop with Tim Miller a few years ago - sheesh, during the master classes, you couldn't even reach your elbows out to the sides without smacking the person next to you. I don't like crowds, so I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have with a smaller group.

I know this is off-topic from the original post but Angelina - I can see why you would end up with advanced students in a beginner class ... and you're right: they are often going to take whatever class they can fit into their schedule - or maybe they just like that particular teacher.
As someone who has been both practicing and teaching yoga for awhile now, I can tell you that even advanced students are still able to "get something" from less advanced classes. From that perspective, it might be just a chance to take a break from more rigorous classes - sometimes when you slow things down a bit, you can focus more on form. Maybe the teacher will be explaining something intended for beginners and you have an "ah ha!" moment, and suddenly you find a way to make a certain pose feel better. For the most part, I don't think the students are there to show off their "yoga skills" - and given that the spirit of the class is (supposed to be) non-competitive and non-judgmental, I encourage you not to let the more experienced and/or more flexible yoga practitioners intimidate you. :)

[MealsMadeWLove]

just want to add my cents knowledge of yoga and its benefits..
The most important benefit of yoga is physical and mental therapy. The aging process, which is largely an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be slowed down by practicing yoga. By keeping the body clean, flexible and well lubricated, we can significantly reduce the catabolic process of cell deterioration. To get the maximum benefits of yoga one has to combine the practices of yogasanas, pranayama and meditation.

[aggie94]

Spam reported.

[tholbrook]

And yet more spam reported.