Second Yoga Class-11/04/08

Today was my second yoga class to take at Yoga West in Katy, Texas. I decided to take a class that was labeled for everyone. The 75 minute class was taught by a seasoned yoga teacher named Jeanne Wheat. The class began with with a fifteen minute reading and discussion from the sutras. Jeanne discussed the need to have a mantra and how it can be used to get through difficult poses. Like the basic class the everyone class had blocks and a strap available in order to work through the poses. I had brought my own mat this time and did not feel as uncomfortable. Jeanne let the class decide if they wanted to do sun salutations for the remainder of the time or split it between the salutations and meditation. The class decided to split it between salutations and meditation. For 30 minutes the class completed a series of sun salutations which were intended to create a more flexible body. The last 30 minutes of class were a meditation series done by tape in which mantras were discussed. The elements of yoga philosophy that were used in the class were abundant. From the reading of the sutras to the 30 minutes of meditation the class really immersed the student in the philosophy behind yoga practices. I felt that I got more out of this class than the basic class I took the first time. The discussion really helped the student identify with the sun salutations and the meditation that was completed during the rest of the class. I will definitely return and take this class from Jeanne.