In an ideal world, one not riddled with a hyper contagious virus, a yoga studio embodies a sense of community that supposedly comes with practice. While studying at home and using the resources available for the time being it still is possible to get that community feeling, whether the instruction is virtual or online. Studying with Amita Bhagat this week provided not only a fulfilling session, but also provided a sense of togetherness despite being hours away.  

 

One could imagine how different in person practice is, and the NEVRIN article describes the benefits in part attributed to studying amongst others. The “embodied experience” of yoga ultimately boils down to three aspects: attending to movement, heightened sensitivity, and emotion. Through emotion is where we get the community associated with yoga. While going through the asanas of a yoga class with other students one can ease into themselves and loose some of the stress that comes with individuality. In that moment, for that hour or two, there isn’t a room of different people with different lives and interests, but rather a room home to a like- minded group trying to achieve the same goal.  

 

Amita Bhagat’s class was a refreshing one and one that came with a bit of a surprise, at least for me. Bhagat taught an Iyengar class, which has overall been my favorite of sessions so far. I thought her direct instructions and demonstrations helped ease the beginners into the flow of the class and got us comfortable with the poses performed. I also thought her additions of which poses could help in some natural pain relief brought another level of knowledge that may not have been brought up in another class.