Group Yoga Class Vs Home Practice Part 2: The Importance of the Home Practice

This two-part post is something I've been mulling over for some time now. However, this last week I've been especially inspired to reflect upon the home practice. Last week I received a message from a student who's currently in Chile. She had so many great questions and one was about developing a home practice while away from home. Earlier this week my favorite podcast, Yogaland, was all about the home practice. Jason Crandell shared some really insightful tips on creating and maintaining a home practice. I figured this was a good time to dig into the home practice. 

If you didn't have a chance to read Part 1 of this post, check it out. It's all about the importance of the group yoga practice. For Part 2 I'm going to look at the other side of the spectrum, the home practice. Before I dive in, however, I want to clarify my definition of a home practice. I put the home practice into two categories: 1) The Guided Home Practice and 2) The Self Created Home Practice. 

The Guided Home Practice:

It's 2016 and  yoga has never been more accessible. There's numerous online services to stream yoga classes in your home like Yogaglo and Gaia. All you have to do is move some furniture, roll out your yoga mat, turn on your computer and get your yoga on. It's quite easy and affordable. There's endless styles of yoga taught by well-known teachers all over the internet. This has been my primary form of practice over the last year. My schedule is so crazy that it's challenging to find time to get into a yoga studio and take a group class. With sites like Yogaglo I'm able to move through a practice guided by some of my favorite teachers for a monthly fee that's less than a drop-in class at a local studio. You just can't beat that. 

Frown upon it all you'd like, but it's undeniable that social media has become a powerful force in the yoga community. I've actually learned yoga postures through short videos posted on Instagram. I'm regularly inspired by the many yogis I follow on Instagram. Of course the videos and yoga selfies posted on social media don't even come close to scraping the surface of all that is yoga, but I will some day get my body into Visvamitrasana. Looking at pictures and videos of people getting into the posture on Instagram will continue to fuel that inspiration.

I must mention that the Guided Home Practice requires the student to take on more personal responsibility. Sure a teacher might pop up on a screen and ask  you to kick up into Handstand, but a teacher isn't actually present to help you with safety and alignment. It's not always the best or most safe practice for everyone. 

The Self Created Home Practice:

This is typically the more challenging of the two practices. Not challenging because of the physical demand, but challenging because it takes a lot of focus. I can't contain my envy when someone tells me they have a regular home practice. What discipline! What dedication! Whenever I tell myself, "Erin, it's time to work on your home practice" it usually ends up with me hanging out on some blocks for a few minutes until my dog decides he wants some attention and I cave. My discipline and dedication easily go out the window when it comes to my pets. 

While listening to Jason Crandell talk about the home practice on Yogaland I couldn't help but feel like he was talking to me and summarizing my last few years as a yoga teacher. (If you're not listening to this podcast, do yourself a favor and check it out!) When I first started teaching yoga I would make my home practice all about the classes I was going to teach that week. I would fine tune the transitions and work out the kinks in my sequencing. This type of home practice didn't really serve me as a student, but it did better prepare me as a teacher. With many years of teaching and practicing yoga I've now come to a point where I no longer have to physicalize my classes. Now my home practice, when I actually focus and get to it, has taken on a different shape.

I teach primarily Vinyasa yoga all day long so when it comes to my personal time on my yoga mat it's rare that I want to flow and do Chaturanga. Again, I tend to roll out my mat, grab a couple blocks, and do some supported postures and call it a day. It could be the heat and humidity from the summer, but my body has been craving slow movement. Give me Supta Baddha Konasana with a bolster, some blocks, and a strap and I'm a very happy camper. Of course in the back of my mind there's Visvamitrasana. Shouldn't I be stretching my legs, shoulders, and side body if I hope to ever get into that one? Meh. Right now, I'm supremely content with things that feel really good. Just like me, my practice will change and morph seasonally and  yearly and I'm learning to just embrace what feels good for me right now. 

I cannot emphasize this enough, yoga teachers, please make your practice a priority. Years ago a fellow teacher of mine was shocked when I told him I practiced a minimum of three days a week. He couldn't believe I taught so much and made time for my practice. I was deeply saddened when he told me he couldn't remember the last time he was on his mat for his own practice. This is not okay! Sometimes I wish I could carve out more time to take a group class with the community I've been in for years, but I know that my home practice nourishes me. Since I started to embrace my personal time on my mat at home I've seen my teaching move in a more authentic direction. I know the home practice is worth it. 

My advice to those who want to create a home practice: Start small. Sure it's nice to create a practice that moves you toward your Visvamitrasana, but most of us are busy people with short attention spans. Set a small amount of time aside, maybe just 15 minutes, and do postures that just feel good. Eventually you may be able to build up to a longer amount of time and amp up the intensity or dial it down as needed. That's the beauty of the home practice! It's only what you want it to be. Need some inspiration? Flip through your copy of Light on Yoga or, my personal favorite, Mark Stephen's Yoga Sequencing. The Self Created Home Practice definitely isn't for everyone. Some committed time in a group practice or with a private teacher will most likely precede a home practice, but I'm quickly realizing how critical it can be as a mode of self-care.

The Importance?

Although the Guided Home Practice and the Self Created Home Practice are two very different practices, they both have one thing in common: It's just you and your mat. It's your space to do and move how you feel. Although you might be encouraged to move as you please in a group practice, there's still a fine line between going rogue and sticking with the class that is being presented. When I'm taking classes on Yogaglo I'll find myself hanging in a posture longer than the teacher cues just because it feels good. In a group yoga class I'm more inclined to move on as I know the teacher has a plan and I want to respect the space that the teacher has created. 

Want to move at your own pace? Do you feel intimidated by those practicing around you? Do you have postures you just need to get in but the teacher doesn't seem to be receiving your telepathic messages? Yes, yes and yes?? Then a home practice might be more your speed. There's no one around so there's no need to compare yourself to others. There's absolutely no need to push yourself into Upward Bow if you're not feeling it and there's zero sweat flying onto your mat from the yogis around you. Not to mention weird smells coming from someone's yoga clothes. 

Group Yoga Class Vs. Home Practice Part 1: The Importance of the Group Practice

I regularly come across blog posts and articles on the importance of a home practice. I can wholeheartedly say that my home practice is the only thing allowing me to live a sane life right now. However, I think the other side, the group class side, is less discussed. In this two-part post I'm going to discuss the importance of the group practice and the home practice and how they can serve two, sometimes very different, purposes.

I teach a lot of yoga and I teach primarily group yoga classes. My classes vary in size from two to fifty students. No matter the size of the class, every one of my group classes have one thing in common: It's a group of people who all chose to come to their yoga mat at that particular time. Everyone has different reasons to come to their mat and that's what is truly beautiful about a group practice. No matter what you look like, no matter your job title or marital status, whether you plan to nail Handstand or just breathe fully for sixty minutes, even if you had a shitty day, none of that matters when you step onto your mat. The group practice allows for a bunch of humans to be in their practice together. 

I often reflect upon my favorite aspects of my job. It always comes down to the people. The notion that I wouldn't know the people who walk into my classes if I didn't teach yoga swirls around in my brain often. I know that sounds incredibly obvious and is true for any occupation, but I'm an introverted 30 year old female living in Minneapolis. My bubble is quite small. Teaching yoga to groups of people has allowed me to create meaningful connections with devoted mothers and fathers, restauranteurs, professional athletes, musicians, driven entrepreneurs, artists, and the list could go on and on. These people come from all walks of life to join in the practice of yoga. The community that is formed through a group class is often unspoken and unrealized in the moment. A student might not know the name of the person next to them and they probably won't even look at the other student after class, but the space they share during their practice is incredibly powerful. 

Let's not forget about the role of the teacher. In a group class the teacher creates a safe space for the students to move, breathe, and explore. The space is there, the time is carved out, and the distractions are (hopefully) minimized in a group setting. In the group practice the teacher allows for the student to turn off their busy mind and just focus on what's happening on their yoga mat. As I greet students when they walk into the studio I regularly hear "I really need this today." Students play so many roles outside of their yoga practice (parent, employee, sibling, therapist, etc.) and in those roles they have to make a lot of decisions. To have a committed amount of time where someone else just tells them what to do can be priceless. 

Of course the teacher is also there to provide instruction throughout class. Without an outside eye it's challenging to know if your front knee is in an optimal alignment in Warrior II. Even the most "advanced" yogis can use the helpful reminder of "straighten your back leg" in Side Angle Pose. Although my teaching style is very much my own, I take my role as a teacher very seriously. As a teacher I want to teach my students something. Typically I'm harping on alignment and teaching my students about a very specific posture, but the lessons learned in a yoga class can vary greatly. I'm not great with the feel-good dharma talk, but I've learned so many beautiful and inspiring things from teachers who have the ability to weave a poignant story or theme into their classes. 

When left to my own devices I'll just chill in Child's Pose and Savasana for a good portion of my practice. Those postures are useful and have their purpose, but sometimes I need a little kick in the ass to move into postures I don't necessarily love. That's when the group class can be extremely helpful. Just the other day I took a group class. I felt tired and sluggish as I rolled out my yoga mat. However, as we were further into practice, the teacher gave the option for Eka Pada Galavasana (aka my least favorite arm balance ever) and I actually gave it a shot. A little nudge from a teacher can be exactly what we need to progress in our practice. 

Lastly, I can't leave out the lessons students can learn from other students in a group setting. If you're a regular practitioner you might notice the progression of those around you. Although yoga is a personal practice you might notice the girl on the blue mat got her full bind in Triangle Pose this week, or dude with the man-bun is taking good care of himself today and hanging in Child's Pose for most of the class. Without attaching judgement or comparisons, simply observing another person's practice can be a beautiful part of your own practice. Earlier this summer I took a class in LA. I didn't know the teacher and I didn't know any of my fellow students, however, I was still apart of the community even if it was for that one class. The teacher that day was guiding us toward Pincha Mayurasana--Feather Peacock and because of his skillful instructions a student was able to get into the posture. She got up, eventually came down, and then instantly started to cry. Out loud she said, "I've never been able to get up into that posture before!" Her energy and passion was contagious. I felt myself starting to tear up. I was so honored to be able to witness a moment that meant so much to that student. 

Of course we can't forget that the group practice allows for you to witness situations similar to this:

The Beginner Yoga Student

The following is a common conversation I have with new yoga students: “Welcome! Have you taken a yoga class before? No? This is an intermediate to advanced level class so I encourage you to take your time and place yourself somewhere in the middle of the room. Although it might be easy to push yourself, it's okay to take breaks. I really hope you can take an introduction class soon!” I do my best to keep a smile on my face while trying to refrain from gritting my teeth. My teeth gritting typically intensifies when I walk into the yoga studio and see that New Student decided to not take my advice. New Student has sequester themselves into the far back corner. 

Although this is something that drives me bonkers now, I too was guilty of stepping into an advanced class as a beginner. I studied dance in college and was encouraged by some friends to take a class at a local studio. Based on my friends’ recommendations I stepped right into a level two class. When checking into my first class I said the words that now make me cringe, “I’ve never really done yoga, but I’m a dancer.” Cue eye roll. Dance, gymnastics, martial arts are all different from yoga. Sure they all use the body in various ways, but they are all different disciplines. In my first class I was so horribly lost and uncomfortable for the entire hour. I’m sure I also provided added stress to the teacher as I flopped around on my mat.

There's probably very few people who walk into an advanced Jiu-Jitsu class and expect to hang with everyone. A lot of people can use a lawn mower or know how to trim shrubs, but they probably wouldn't sign up for an advanced bonsai pruning class without prior knowledge. I wouldn't even think of stepping foot into an advanced ballet class and I studied dance in college! I would probably be asked to leave! 

What it is about yoga that makes people think they can come into an intermediate or advanced level class without any prior knowledge or experience? I have a few thoughts:

1. The Low Expectation Student--“Yoga is just stretching, right? Anyone can just sit on a cushy mat and stretch their legs. How hard can a level two class really be?” They’ve seen people doing simple stretches in a yoga class in the movies or on television and they aren’t expecting much more than that. 

2. The Athlete--Dancers, gymnasts, martial artists all fall into this category. People who are physically strong and fairly body aware. I put myself into this category. Any conditioning or workouts these students have done in the past have prepared them for a yoga practice apparently. Often these students leave the level two class very humbled. 

3. The Partner--Yogis, please don’t bring your wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, life partner to an advanced class for their first visit. Do them a favor and join them in a beginner friendly class and be a good student while taking the class. Please, please, please don’t plan to teach your partner during class. Let the teacher do their job.

4. The Convenient Yogi--This is the student I sympathize with the most. This is usually someone who works 9-5, has a family, and desperately needs to carve out time for themselves. This student wants to start taking yoga, but wants it to fit conveniently into their busy schedule. At least in the Minneapolis area, I rarely see any beginner friendly classes before traditional work hours so this student is forced to jump head first into whatever is offered. 

To new yoga practitioners, I have some suggestions:

• Stop by the studio before taking your first class if possible. Inquire about beginner friendly classes and ask what you should bring on your first visit. 
• If you bring your own mat to class, ask your instructor if it is appropriate for the class you are about to take. Pilates mats typically make a yoga practice much more challenging, but not everyone knows the difference. 
• Some studios don't offer various levels and all classes are open to everyone. These classes are then also open to beginners. If you find yourself in an open level class remember that everyone in the room will have various levels of experience with yoga. Listen very carefully to your instructor and don't worry about looking like those around you. Everyone started somewhere.
• Do your best to put your ego aside and remember you'll be much better served by learning the basics first. Chances are very slim that you'll return to your yoga mat if you leave feeling completely defeated. 
• If you don't enjoy your first class try a different studio or try a different style of yoga. Not all yoga classes are created equally and I truly believe there is a type of yoga (maybe it's not the physical kind) that will resonate with everyone. You just have to be willing to find what works for you. 
• Lastly, new students, keep an open mind. Come to your mat with no expectations and just enjoy whatever comes your way. Experienced students, myself included, please do the same. 

Why Blog?

I have attempted to start many blogs. I get really into them, obsessively edit my posts, and then publish only about a quarter of my drafts. How do I know this blog will be different? I don't! But I'm going to give it another try. Also, my Instagram posts are becoming essays. This is probably a better platform for essays. 

Although I may not have the best grammar or punctuation,  writing helps me just get my thoughts out. Sometimes there's just too many thoughts in my brain to organize them all. I'm hoping this blog will help. My main focus will definitely be yoga and yoga related topics. I hope to discuss trends in the yoga industry, highlight special moments in my own practice, and give tips on postures and alignment. Enjoy!