I teach a Wednesday 7 pm “improvers yoga class” in Horsham. But who is it aimed at? What exactly is an ‘improver’?
In Iyengar yoga, we have clear ways to introduce people to yoga asanas (poses) and pranayama (yogic breathing) which need to be learnt in a certain way. There is a clear way to sequence these poses so students make gradual progress. Logical sequencing is one of the things that makes Iyengar yoga stand out from other schools. Beginners are taught correct alignment, a certain precision and how to extend the body correctly.
So someone may have done many years of other forms of yoga, yet if they have not done Iyengar yoga, they would still be considered a beginner as they would not know exactly how we use alignment, the ways in which we are precise, or how to extend the body in a healthy way.
So how long does it take to learn these things? It really does depend on our ability to remember, and whether or not we also practice at home. However, as a general rule, one year in a beginners class should be enough for most people to learn these basics.
If students also practice at home, that time can be significantly reduced. I don’t mind if you did Iyengar yoga years ago, or with a different teacher. As long as you have the foundation and know the basics, you’re welcome to join my improvers class.
What I find interesting is that it is not necessarily dependant on ability level. What I mean is that you can be old, stiff, and have health problems, yet still be an improver! Some students prefer a more gentle class, so they stay in the beginners class for as long as they like.
Having said all this, a general rule is that students in my improvers yoga class do know how to set up their own equipment for shoulder stand, how to get up into the pose, and could stay there happily for more than a minute.
My improvers yoga class starting 28th february 2018 has 2 spaces left – if you’re still unsure whether it’s the right fit for you please do email me on [email protected]
