Yesterday class was on breathing again. This time round I think I have improved in my breathing in. Less “Stutters” as I try to take in more at the end of the breath. Haha… we did some interesting poses while focusing on our breaths, not all are the hatha poses but many are exercises ( much like in qigong type ) like what indian yoga teachers do in their hatha classes except teacher keeps asking us to breathe in deeply and out deeply ( 4 counts in and out, longer if possible ).
I feel this type of classes will help but I think it is quite boring and slow moving… if do too many, i will… *yawn* fall asleep. 
But I must agree that pranayama is very important in yoga. For example in wheel, once you can breathe smoothly, you can stay in the pose for so much longer. However if you are having short breaths there, you tend to tire out very easily.
OM~ more later…
Hi Leslie,
Just saw your blog…Hope you are doing well.
Just a note on the poses we did, they are actual poses taken from a sequence by Srivatsa Ramaswami who studied with Krishnamacharya for over 20 years after Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois left to do their own things. I’m disappointed you found the class boring. I guess having gone through the cycle of pushing and trying to get into a pose, I’m now realizing the futility of it and the immense self-bullying that can occur trying to get into a pose and staying when the breath says otherwise.
I agree that yoga should be fun. And, it should also take you inside and leave you feeling peaceful and easeful at the end. I also believe pranayama is not just important, but the whole point of the asanas. The shape and structure of the poses are there to serve the breath and create natural, unforced bandhas. Without deep breathing in a pose or retaining the breath conciously at the end of a full exhale or on inhale (this can be too energizing for stressed out people), it’s simply just not hatha yoga.
Best,
Bo
hey Bo
oops…
I am an easily bored person…
I know these poses are really good… even I feel the improvement on myself after doing 2 classes with you. But personally I am a person who gets bored if I keep doing the same sequences ( eg. ashtanga…once a week is more than enough for me
) which is why I enjoy Power classes so much as each class is slightly different.
These hatha poses which you did in the class are what the indian yoga teachers are doing in the “other” yoga studio. Except they do not stress on breathing so deep and out in each pose. They will do these in every class they teach ( not all but some I do find familiar )
and so do many of your students in the class. Feedback I gathered from the “locker room” was they all enjoyed these classes.
This type of class which you introduced after your workshop with Mark Whitwell is terrific as you shared what you have learned from him. I appreciate this alot, really
I guess this is why I am a student and you are the teacher!
I definitely still like to attend these classes as you taught because I have really learnt alot from all your classes.
cheers
Lesley
ps. my name is the girl version… haha
Hey Lesley,
Thanks for your reply. Now worries, I think “boring” and “yawn” just fanned the flames of my own concern about the new way I’m teaching.
Didn’t realize Leslie was the guy version…
Bo
By the way, the translation macro on your blog is cool…is that just part of the site or did you put it in?
Hey Bo
Aiya… I missed your class today
I guess I am gonna miss you and your classes for the next whole month?! Today armed with a messy cold, I worked until 8:45pm… yes… life with a job…
Enough of my rants….
Oh yes! That translation macro is from Google! Are you using WordPress for your blog? If you are, you can get a free plugin to make use of Google free translation tool.
Cool but I wonder how accurate is it?
I tried reading the Chinese version, the translation is a bit off but the cool thing is you get that rollover textbox with the English equivalent.
If you need help, just let me know.
Time to catch some snooze…
Lesley