The 9 Most Common Myths About the Classic 84 Yoga Class
I've gotta be honest.
When we first decided to offer the Classic 84 yoga class at Hometown Sweat, I was scared that it was too hard. After all, there are many, many postures that we teach in this class that I cannot do. I'm a teacher with relatively good strength and flexibility, and while I sure can try all the poses, I don't come close to the full expression.
I thought, well if I can't do half this stuff, will anyone even want to try?
Louise, our teacher at Hometown Sweat who encouraged me to start offering this class in the first place, challenged me that the Hometown Sweat students deserved to know more of the yoga story. That's right, more of the story. You see, the 26 postures that comprise the Original Hot Yoga class are pulled from the series of Classic 84 postures. When you take the Classic 84, you learn what comes next.
Louise was right. If you've been practicing Original Hot Yoga (a.k.a. Bikram Yoga, 26 & 2, Hot Yoga, Beginners Hot Yoga, etc.) with any sort of consistency over the years, you owe it to yourself to experience the full series of postures from where the "Original Hot Yoga" class came.
In hindsight, I realize that deciding to offer this class to our community served as the avenue to not only open people's bodies (hello, lotus pose) but also to open their minds.
Mine included.
Here's the deal: there's no way in the world our bodies will be able to obtain flexibility and necessary range of motion without our minds first believing that we can. And the Classic 84 class challenges you to open your mind to what your body is capable of in a new and exciting way. By practicing the Classic 84, you WILL access new-found flexibility, range of motion, and strength all while focusing and challenging your mind. The end result? Unwavering confidence in your mental determination and your physical ability.
Just last week I hopped into the Classic 84 class for the first in a long time. I had been out of the Classic 84 routine for months. You know how the story goes: kids' schedules got in the way, then it was summer, then it was the school year, then it had been too long and I was scared to come back. (Yes, even I, as the studio owner, get scared sometimes!!) And in full transparency, I had been moving very gingerly around a tight back and an achey knee. I wasn't sure how my body would react to trying the 84 postures, so I was hesitant. And scared.
I told Louise,
"Set me up right near you so I can really listen. So I can stay with every word."
And she did. And I did.
I moved slow. I did what I could. I tried everything. By the time the class was done and I walked out of the hot room, my knee and my back felt freakin' fantastic! Better than they had in a long time.
Like everything we do at Hometown Sweat, the Classic 84 is a powerful and transformative class while still providing therapeutic healing benefits.
Trying something new is always a little scary. But what I've found is that the pre-conceived notions we have about this class are often the furthest thing from the truth!
Here are the 9 most common myths that we hear about the Classic 84, and what is actually true:
- There is no way you can do 84 postures in that 90 minute class!
Ohhhh yes there is. We don’t spend too much time in any one set up. We get in, we hold it where we can. We get out. We move on. This feels so refreshing because there’s no mental holding on to anything - good or bad - in any moment of the class! - I have to be extra flexible - like double jointed! - to do the Classic 84
Believe it or not, this class actually requires a decent amount of strength and stability to support the flexibility we’re trying to build. So if you’ve been workin’ it in IHP and OHY this past year, use that strength to help build some flexibility! - If I can’t do the whole posture, I shouldn’t bother going.
Well. That’s a sad thought! Of COURSE you should come. Just like EVERY class we offer, your best effort is always enough. And even if you can do only 1% of the posture, your body will start to change in the direction in which you’re working. - I’ll be on my own in there! I won’t know what to do!
Ohhh no you won’t :) Lucky for you, we practice close together - physically - so you’ll be able to see those around you and hear the instructions. There are no yogis left behind, we make sure of that. The energy in Classic 84 is positive and refreshing, and we support one another and celebrate each others accomplishments! - It’s too strict!
We love busting this myth, because if there’s ever a class where you can be your own supervisor, THIS IS THE CLASS! If you can kick harder, kick harder. If you need to go slower, go slower. There are far fewer teaching cues regarding the physical sensation of the postures, so that leaves space for you to feel and observe things about yourself in an extremely powerful and introspective way. - I don’t know anyone in there!
Ok, ok, so this isn’t exactly a myth to bust. But here’s what we’ll say if you’re nervous to try because you don’t know the regulars who show up each week. THEY BRING COOKIES FOR EVERYONE IN CLASS TO ENJOY AFTER YOU PRACTICE. ‘Nuff said ;) - I’m injured. I have issues. I’m special. I can’t do it!
Lucky for you, we take some time at the beginning of class to find out what’s going on in your body (and mind) so that we can give some extra tips to help you through. Not only that, but we also ask what your goals are and what you’re hoping to get out of your practice so we can highlight certain areas throughout the class that will help you achieve those goals. - I won’t get any benefit if I can’t do the whole posture.
If you take one thing away from this list, understand this: the amount of depth you’re able to obtain in a pose does not correlate with how much healing benefit you’re receiving. Know what we’re sayin’? Just because you can barely bend your spine doesn’t mean nothing is happening. SOMETHING IS HAPPENING!!! It might LOOK different from the super bendy flexy yogi who’s been practicing every day since 1994, but you’re benefiting just as much as she is because you’re doing the best for YOUR body. - The Classic 84 class is only for people who want to do the yoga competitions.
Hehe, this one couldn’t be further from the truth! This is a class designed for anyone who wants to learn more about the Original Hot Yoga postures that they love so much. It’s for anyone who wants a practice in concentration, determination, and patience. It’s for anyone who wants to get out of their own head for 90 minutes. When you take the Classic 84, it’s like finding out the rest of the story about your yoga practice. You learn what comes next. You realize what strength you have. You start to access your true potential. Whether you compete or not, the story you uncover in the Classic 84 will be something that changes your life because you will get to know yourself on such a deep and meaningful level. (Want more inspiration on this one? Check out this powerful student testimonial vide here).
Just about one year ago I was hemming and hawing over whether or not to add this class to the schedule. And now, I could not be more proud to have the Classic 84 as one of our most transformative, therapeutic classes.
We offer the Classic 84 every Wednesday at 11am as well as Pop Ups on the weekends each month. We can't wait for you to experience this powerful yoga experience and truly take your body, mind, and practice to a new level.