What is the pace of a traditional ashtanga class like ?
Fast. Once you ramp it up, each pose is held for only 5 breaths — not a lot of time to discuss the subtleties of the practice. You absorb a bit more each time you practice. A full first series class explores about 70 poses in 90 minutes. The value of series work is that it feels more leisurely and get more meditative over time. You know what is coming next so over time the focus can be more internal — on the breath, on deeper internal work in the poses, on meditation.
Fast. Once you ramp it up, each pose is held for only 5 breaths — not a lot of time to discuss the subtleties of the practice. You absorb a bit more each time you practice. A full first series class explores about 70 poses in 90 minutes. The value of series work is that it feels more leisurely and gets more meditative over time. You know what is coming next so gradually the focus can become more internal — on the breath, on deeper subtle work in the poses, on meditation.
