Back To Basics?

On Tuesday night, I went to Sivananda yoga on Harbord St. for the first time. In contrast to the mainstream practice at Dufferin Grove, this is traditional yoga. The Toronto studio was established in the 70s before the current popularity of yoga. So we're talking old-school: altars, prayers, chants, and acolytes preparing vegetarian dishes for the post-practice meal.

I was surprised at the class, which was supposedly open to all levels. Those most were accessible to everyone, some such as headstand and locusts are usually only found in more advanced classes elsewhere. Cues were given for each transition but there were very few alignment instructions. Similar to Bikram, the class has a set sequence with only minor variation.This gave the practitioners ease with postures (e.g., headstand) that in other studios would only be attempted by a few.

However, given some errors in postures including boat and forward bend, the general level of proficiency wasn't at "David Yee" advanced. There were also some obvious beginners. As such, and with the potential for serious injury from long-term but incorrect practice of asanas including headstand and plow,  I was a little concerned with the dearth of instructions. This is probably a great place to practice if you were advanced. And not necessarily the "put your foot behind your head" kind, but more knowing about good alignment principles, and approaching the mat with a clear heart and ego-less mind. Or as a modern ad says: "Know your limit, stay within it".