When Rein (21) started his graduation internship in the marketing department of Yogaplace in February, he had no experience with yoga yet. Because he also wanted to experience it for himself, he decided to participate in an Ashtanga Mysore style class. Many think that this form of teaching is only for the advanced yogi, but especially as a beginner this is a great way to develop your own practice. In this blog Rein shares his experience of his first yoga class at Yogaplace.
“Yoga is an industry that I was not yet familiar with, but which seemed very interesting to me because it is a different form of sport than I am used to. When I started my internship, I felt that I should of course get to know Yogaplace’s offer. I was invited to join a Mysore style class.”
First time yoga
My first yoga practice was a pleasant experience, and also special because I practiced yoga for the first time in a shala with experienced yogis. I participated in the Ashtanga Mysore style class, a yoga practice where you perform the series of poses at your own pace and order. You receive good guidance and help from a professional teacher, which makes it feel like a kind of private lesson in a group. Since this was my first lesson, I started with the first and second parts of the sun salutation under guidance, going through each step individually and finally practicing it in full several times in a row.
My experience
I entered the practice openly with the idea that I would be surprised what would happen and what feeling is involved. You learn to concentrate on the breathing and associated postures, which I found more intensive than I had previously thought. The practice ends with a final relaxation where you lie on the mat (savasana). The combination of the breathing and the series of postures eventually gave a calm feeling and a lot of energy for the rest of the day.
Recommended or not?
It is definitely recommended to try a yoga class. It gave me a lot of energy, peace and joy for the rest of the day. The first few lessons will take some getting used to and you will see how the practice is as pleasant as possible for yourself. In addition to the above benefits, it is also a relief for your physical body due to the many stretches and different positions.”
